Laboratory result interoperability and the reuse of medical test results play a crucial role in building a modern and sustainable healthcare system, which are beneficial for patients, medical facilities and the health insurance system.
Laboratory Testing Accounts for 19% of National Health Expenditure
In 2024, laboratory and paraclinical testing accounted for 19.1% of total national health insurance spending, equivalent to nearly VND 30 trillion (USD 1.2 billion), reported by PhD.Dr. Ha Anh Duc – Director of the Department of Medical Service Administration during the conference “Strengthening the capacity of the medical laboratory quality management system for the period 2016 – 2025”.
It is necessary to effectively manage and reuse of test results across facilities could generate significant savings and improve service delivery. According to estimates, by reusing only 1 – 2% of laboratory test results across healthcare facilities coulg save at least VND 300-600 billion annually (USD 11.3 – 22.8 million). Beyond financial savings, laboratory result interoperability helps shorten diagnostic time, reduce repetitive testing, and improve the accuracy and continuity of patient care.
Progress in Test Result Sharing Across Hospitals
To enable the nationwide interoperability of laboratory test results, the Ministry of Health has introduced a series of initiatives to strengthen both quality management and digital integration. These include the development of unified technical standards and shared laboratory test catalogs, large-scale training programs for assessors and healthcare professionals, and the incorporation of laboratory data into electronic medical records (EMR). Together, these measures form the foundation for seamless result sharing between healthcare facilities—improving diagnostic accuracy, reducing redundant testing, and moving Vietnam toward a more connected and data-driven healthcare system.
For instance, Tu Du Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City) reports full (100%) acceptance of valid external laboratory results across multiple test types, while Gia Dinh People’s Hospital reuses all available test and diagnostic imaging results from referred patients. Similar initiatives have been successfully implemented at Thai Nguyen Central Hospital (85%), Children’s Hospital 1 HCMC (95%), and Nguyen Trai Hospital (80%), etc.
Ongoing Challenges in laboratory quality assessment
Vietnam has 51 central-level hospitals equipped with advanced laboratory departments, 4 national blood banks and 11 regional blood banks under provincial health departments and major hospitals. At the provincial level, there are 809 hospitals with medical laboratories—many of which also serve as in-house blood banks. At the grassroots level, the network includes over 3,300 commune health stations, as well as numerous private laboratories and clinics.
The three Centers for Testing Quality Control under Hanoi Medical University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, and Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health play a pivotal role in external inspection, technical support, and quality assessment. To date, more than 3,000 laboratories nationwide have conducted annual self-assessment and improvement according to the set of criteria.
However, only small numbers of laboratory have met national standards and publicly disclosed results. At this time, all Departments of Health are required to publish the results of laboratory quality assessment on the online information system, which is a mandatory condition for recognition and interoperability of test results between medical facilities.
At the same time, Vietnam still faces several challenges in ensuring consistent laboratory quality nationwide. The national reference laboratory network has not yet been fully developed, and domestic production of quality control materials remains limited. In addition, some healthcare facilities have yet to prioritize laboratory quality assurance. Many laboratory professionals have not received comprehensive training in quality management systems, and overall investment and technical resources dedicated to laboratory quality improvement remain insufficient.
Opportunities for Global Medtech and Diagnostic Partners
Vietnam’s growing investment in laboratory quality and digital transformation presents significant opportunities for international companies in medical technology, diagnostics, and health informatics.
OMS supports international healthcare and medtech companies entering the Vietnamese market through market research, regulatory advisory, and strategic partnership development—helping foreign investors navigate local regulations, identify opportunities, and establish sustainable market presence.
————
About Orient Medical Solutions Co., Ltd. (OMS)
We provide one-stop advisory and distribution services for medical and life science manufacturers looking to enter and succeed in Vietnam’s dynamic healthcare sector. With deep expertise across international markets—including China, Vietnam, Australia and other Southeast Asia countries—we turn market entry challenges into growth opportunities.
Website: https://orientmedvn.com/
Email: [email protected]
Source: suckhoedoisong.vn, vneconomy.vn