Vietnam health minister discusses AI standards and digital transformation with US business delegation

Vietnam’s Minister of Health Đào Hồng Lan met with a high-level delegation from the US-ASEAN Business Council in Hanoi on 14 April 2026, with discussions covering AI regulation in healthcare, digital transformation, and opportunities for US business engagement in the Vietnamese health sector.

The delegation was led by Brian McFeeters, President and CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council, and included representatives from member companies active in pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and biotechnology.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyễn Tri Thức told the meeting that the ministry is developing technical standards for AI applications in healthcare. “We are proceeding very carefully with AI software in healthcare to ensure compliance with medical ethics,” he said.

Minister Đào Hồng Lan outlined three strategic priorities for the sector: digital transformation — encompassing electronic health records, telemedicine, and AI-assisted diagnosis and disease management; strengthening grassroots healthcare capacity and equitable access; and developing a sustainable care model centred on cost efficiency, home care, and preventive medicine.

Business delegates raised questions on the legal framework for healthcare software, procurement mechanisms for medical technology, and health insurance payment structures. The ministry confirmed it is working to establish a regulatory framework for healthcare applications and indicated that policy documents governing international investment and cooperation have become “increasingly open and favourable.”

The meeting also touched on life insurance integration with hospital treatment pathways, with the deputy minister noting that public hospitals are prepared to support patients with administrative processes, provided insurers have formal cooperation agreements in place.

Minister Đào Hồng Lan closed the session by affirming the ministry’s openness to business input during policy development, while stating that all policies must remain grounded in practical realities and the overriding principle of protecting public health.