On April 22, 2026, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan chaired a high-level meeting and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Minister of Food and Drug Safety of South Korea (MFDS), Ms. Oh Yu Kyoung. This agreement, coinciding with the official visit of the South Korean President to Vietnam, marks a pivotal step in strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.
1. Strategic Framework and Collaboration Goals
The newly signed MOU provides a legal foundation to realize Vietnam’s healthcare integration objectives under National Resolutions 59, 72, and 57:
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Pharmaceutical Autonomy: Learning from management experiences and receiving technology transfers for manufacturing next-generation medicines, vaccines, and biologicals.
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Standardizing Food Safety: Perfecting governance systems through risk-based approaches in line with international practices.
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Equipment Infrastructure: Enhancing state management of medical devices and modern technical standards.
2. High-Tech Focus: Stem Cell Therapy
A key highlight of the talks was Vietnam’s proposal for collaboration in stem cell research, a priority area for future healthcare services in Vietnam.
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South Korean Expertise: South Korea approved stem cell-based therapies a decade ago and possesses a robust legal framework for high-tech bio-medicine.
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Knowledge Sharing: Minister Oh Yu Kyoung confirmed South Korea’s readiness to share legal structures and operational experiences in this field to support Vietnam’s development.
3. Investment Attraction and Bio-Tech Transfer
Recognizing South Korea as a global leader in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, the MFDS committed to:
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Corporate Connectivity: Acting as a bridge for South Korean pharmaceutical and bio-tech firms looking to expand production and business in the Vietnamese market.
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Regulatory Referencing: Promoting the use of South Korean regulatory references in Vietnam’s pharmaceutical sector to stabilize supply chains and facilitate technology transfer.
4. Execution and Evaluation Roadmap
To ensure the MOU translates into tangible actions, Minister Dao Hong Lan directed:
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Coordination Units: The International Cooperation Department (Ministry of Health) will work directly with South Korean counterparts to develop a detailed implementation plan.
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Annual Review: Both parties agreed to conduct a performance review one year after the signing to assess results and refine cooperation strategies.
This strengthened alliance is expected to accelerate Vietnam’s transition toward a modern, internationally integrated healthcare system, delivering practical health and economic benefits to both nations.