Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the nature of healthcare in Vietnam, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, and will continue to change the landscape of healthcare in terms of diagnostic, treatment, and hospital practices. On May 23 in HCM City, the city’s “AI in Health Conference 2025” attracted over 700 stakeholders to demonstrate how AI is integrating into the city’s smart and patient-focused vision of the health system.
AI Powers Smart Healthcare Strategy in HCM City
While speaking at the event, Associate Professor Dr. Tăng Chí Thuợng, Director of the HCM City Department of Health, said that AI is important to the Smart Healthcare Strategy for Ho Chi Minh City, from 2021–2025, and with a long-term outlook to 2030. The city wants to develop an intelligent and efficient healthcare system to enhance patient care and streamline hospital processes.
Broad Applications and National Potential
Lâm Nguyễn Hải Long, Chairman of the HCM City Computer Association (HCA), highlighted the growing application of artificial intelligence in Vietnam’s healthcare sector.
He explained that AI is already being used to analyze medical imaging and detect diseases at an early stage, supporting robotic surgeries. These innovations, he noted, are helping to expand access to quality healthcare, particularly in areas with limited human resources and infrastructure.
Global Guidelines for Local Transformation
Dr. Pratt echoed WHO’s six guiding principles for AI in healthcare: transparency, risk-based oversight, inclusive data use, clinician-led decisions, system integration, and global cooperation.
She also flagged two key risks:
- Equity Gaps: Uneven access to digital tools may widen health inequalities.
- Data Privacy: With AI relying on sensitive health data, cybersecurity must be a priority.
To address these issues, experts at the conference urged for stronger digital literacy efforts and national policy frameworks that support ethical innovation.
Building a Future-Ready Healthcare System
The conference featured cutting-edge demonstrations of AI-driven diagnostics, treatment planning, hospital operations, and public health surveillance. Discussions also addressed ethical frameworks, legal compliance, and practical deployment of AI in local hospital systems.
Organizers, including the HCM City Department of Health and HCA, announced plans to make the conference an annual national platform for collaboration between policymakers, tech leaders, and healthcare stakeholders.
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