AusCham Delegation Meets Minister of Health to Advance Australia–Vietnam Healthcare Cooperation

Hanoi, 25 August 2026 – A delegation from the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AusCham), led by AusCham Vice President Ms Natalie Fairlie and joined by representatives of AusCham Member companies Blackmores and The University of Sydney Vietnam Institute (SVI), the Australian Embassy, and New South Wales Investment and Trade, met with Vietnam’s Minister of Health, H.E. Dao Hong Lan, at the Ministry of Health in Hanoi.

The meeting was attended by senior representatives from the Ministry’s departments responsible for medical services, science and technology, pharmaceuticals, food safety, preventive health, maternal and child health, international cooperation, and planning and finance. Representatives of Hanoi Medical University and other healthcare businesses also joined the discussion.

Welcoming the delegation, Minister Dao Hong Lan recognised Australia’s strengths in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, food products, scientific research and technology. She also acknowledged Australia’s support for Vietnam’s health sector, including cooperation provided through the Australian Embassy and international organisations during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minister highlighted the growing momentum in bilateral healthcare cooperation under the Australia–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including progress towards a memorandum of understanding between the two countries’ health ministries. She said the meeting provided an opportunity to identify practical areas for longer-term cooperation and translate the broader partnership into concrete initiatives.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Ms Fairlie thanked the Minister and Ministry officials for their engagement with Australian businesses. She noted that Australian companies operating across the healthcare, pharmaceutical and food sectors have benefited from constructive cooperation and support from the Ministry of Health as they explore investment and expand their presence in Vietnam.

Ms Fairlie also reaffirmed AusCham’s role in connecting Australian businesses with Vietnamese partners and government authorities, and expressed confidence in the potential for Australian companies to contribute further to Vietnam’s healthcare priorities.

(H.E. Dao Hong Lan, Minister of Health)	(Ms. Natalie Fairlie, Vice President of AusCham Vietnam)

Discussions covered opportunities for cooperation in scientific research and capacity development, preventive healthcare, product quality and safety, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and healthcare innovation. The two sides also exchanged views on good international practices, the policy environment for healthcare investment, recognition of Good Manufacturing Practice standards, and technology transfer in the production of medicines, vaccines and biological products.

Representatives of Blackmores and SVI contributed business perspectives to the discussion, reflecting the experience and capabilities of Australian companies in health products, quality management and responsible market development.

(Blackmores)	(The University of Sydney Vietnam Institute)

Minister Dao Hong Lan identified further potential for collaboration in clinical research, testing and the development of medicines, health supplements and next-generation vaccines. She noted Australia’s high standards in manufacturing, testing, quality management and product safety, as well as opportunities to strengthen cooperation in preventive health, risk management, post-market surveillance and food safety.

The Minister affirmed that the Ministry of Health was ready to support practical proposals and facilitate connections with public and private healthcare institutions, research organisations and regulatory agencies in Vietnam. She expressed her expectation that cooperation between the Ministry and AusCham would deliver concrete initiatives and outcomes in the coming period.

The meeting reinforced the important role of public-private dialogue in building regulatory understanding, identifying areas of complementary expertise and creating new opportunities for bilateral healthcare cooperation.

This engagement reflects AusCham’s ongoing advocacy efforts on behalf of its Members, creating opportunities for Australian businesses to engage directly with senior government leaders, share practical industry perspectives and explore solutions to issues affecting their operations and investment in Vietnam.

AusCham will continue to represent its Members’ interests, strengthen dialogue with the Ministry of Health and other government stakeholders, and advocate for a transparent, predictable and enabling policy environment. Through these efforts, the Chamber aims to support its Members’ long-term growth while contributing to stronger Australia–Vietnam cooperation in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, food products, research and innovation.