Organ transplantation in Vietnam is no longer just a dream. The country's remarkable strides in medical science have brought new hope to thousands of patients fighting for survival.

Five months after undergoing Vietnam’s first simultaneous heart-liver transplant, Dinh Van Hoa has nearly regained a normal life. Once bedridden and critically ill, he can now perform simple daily tasks, from sweeping the floor to cooking meals for his family.

During Tet 2025, Hoa even prepared traditional dishes, a moment of celebration for his family, who just months earlier had been told by doctors that his life expectancy was measured in mere hours.

Hoa, 42, made history as the first Vietnamese patient to receive both a heart and liver transplant in a single operation.

The procedure, performed at Viet Duc Hospital in Hanoi in October 2024, was groundbreaking - not only for its complexity but also as a testament to Vietnam’s rapid advancements in organ transplantation over the past 30 years.

At the time of his admission, Hoa’s condition was critical. His liver had completely failed, causing severe blood clotting disorders, and his heart was so weak that it could barely maintain blood pressure.

Both organs were being artificially supported - his heart by a cardiopulmonary bypass machine and his liver by a dialysis system. Doctors estimated he had only 6 to 12 hours left to live without immediate intervention.

The moment the final surgical stitch was placed, his new heart beat on its own after just 8 hours, and his liver resumed function, turning pink and producing bile. For the medical team, it was a moment of triumph.

Vietnam’s organ transplant journey: From ambition to achievement

While the world's first kidney transplant took place in 1954, and liver transplants were pioneered in 1963, Vietnam's journey began decades later.

The concept of organ transplantation in Vietnam dates back to the 1960s, when Professor Ton That Tung, then director of Viet Duc Hospital, led early research on transplant techniques. By 1965-66, his team had already successfully performed organ transplants in animals, laying the groundwork for future human procedures.

Despite his ambition to introduce transplants for liver and kidney patients by the 1970s, the country’s wartime struggles and post-war challenges delayed progress. However, Professor Tung had the foresight to train surgical teams abroad, ensuring Vietnam had skilled professionals when the time was right.

The breakthrough finally came on June 4, 1992, when Vietnam performed its first kidney transplant at Military Hospital 103 in Hanoi. The recipient, Vu Manh Doan, a 40-year-old officer, received a kidney from his 28-year-old younger brother.

Just one year later, in 1993, a Vietnamese medical team independently completed another kidney transplant, without foreign assistance - a milestone that cemented Vietnam’s self-sufficiency in organ transplantation.

Vietnam leads Southeast Asia in organ transplants

"Vietnam's organ transplant program started relatively late, but we have made extraordinary progress," said Dr. Duong Duc Hung, director of Viet Duc Hospital.

By 2012, Vietnam had completed 600 transplants, with the majority being kidney transplants. In just three years from 2010 to 2012, nearly 300 transplants were performed.

By the end of 2023, this number had soared to over 8,300 successful transplants, firmly establishing Vietnam as Southeast Asia’s leader in organ transplantation.

According to Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan, Vietnam has now performed over 9,500 organ transplants in 33 years. In the past three years (2022-2024) alone, Vietnam has ranked first in Southeast Asia for the number of annual transplants, consistently exceeding 1,000 procedures per year.

While kidney transplants account for 84% of all procedures, Vietnam has also expanded into liver, heart, lung, and even intestine transplants, putting it on par with leading global transplant centers.

From a handful of hospitals initially offering transplants - including Viet Duc, Cho Ray, Military Hospital 103, and Hue Central Hospital - Vietnam now boasts 27 specialized transplant centers, with even provincial hospitals developing their own transplant programs.

Global recognition: From students to teachers

"In the early days, we traveled abroad to learn transplant techniques," said Dr. Duong Duc Hung. "Now, international colleagues come to Vietnam to observe our procedures."

At global transplant conferences, Vietnamese surgeons are now seen as equals. International doctors have even scheduled visits to learn from Vietnam’s techniques.

"They told us, ‘We are here to learn from you,’" Dr. Hung shared. "This shows that Vietnam is no longer just a student, but an active contributor to global transplant medicine."

Vietnam’s record-breaking transplant milestones

In September 2020, a team at Viet Duc Hospital performed four heart transplants within just 16 days, including two back-to-back transplants in 48 hours - a feat unprecedented in Vietnam at the time.

By January 2025, Viet Duc Hospital set yet another record: within six days (Jan 6-11, 2025), doctors successfully transplanted 15 organs from four deceased donors. This included four heart transplants, a simultaneous liver-kidney transplant, three liver transplants, and seven kidney transplants.

With nearly one-third of Vietnam’s 9,500 transplants performed at Viet Duc, the hospital remains at the forefront of innovation.

Pushing boundaries, saving more lives

Transplant techniques are continually evolving, leading to shorter surgery times and improved patient outcomes.

In the past, a liver transplant took 12-14 hours. But thanks to advancements in surgical methods and technology, the same procedure now takes only 4-5 hours.

"By reducing surgery time, we improve patient recovery, minimize the need for blood transfusions, and lower costs," said Dr. Hung. "This allows us to take on more complex cases that we would have hesitated to attempt a decade ago."

Vietnam’s transplant success rate now rivals that of top global centers, proving that the country’s medical field has not only caught up but is leading the way in Southeast Asia.

With continued innovation and an expanding network of transplant centers, Vietnam's future in organ transplantation looks brighter than ever.

Vo Thu