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Photo: VOV

Vietnam to build first AI-driven hospital

An Australian biotechnology firm is set to establish Vietnam’s first artificial intelligence (AI) - powered hospital, named MedArmor, according to yesilscience.com.

The website revealed that the hospital will be situated in the Duc Hoa 3 Industrial Park of Long An province, southern Vietnam.

Covering a total area of 700 hectares, the facility will implement a preventive healthcare approach which is focused on early disease detection and timely interventions.

The hospital will adopt a virtual care model, leveraging video conferencing technology to deliver healthcare services, cited VOV.

The specialized services will include telestroke management, electronic intensive care units, and online consultations among healthcare providers.

According to Yesilscience, the hospital’s electronic medical records (EMR) system will employ AI in order to analyse patient health data, providing greater insights for preventive screenings and personalized medical advice.

“The MedArmor AI Hospital aims to tackle significant challenges in the healthcare sector, such as equity, cost, environmental sustainability, and workforce wellbeing,” the website noted.

By adopting a virtual care model, it assessed that the hospital is striving to enhance access to diagnosis and treatment for underserved communities, while also reducing healthcare costs through remote monitoring.

“The use of virtual technology is expected to minimize waste and pollution, allowing patients to lower their carbon footprint by avoiding long-distance travel for care,” Yesilscience shared.

Vietnam has been actively seeking international partnerships aimed at advancing the digital transformation of its industries, including health care.

In 2023, the country established its first healthcare AI partnership with Microsoft and is currently working towards implementing smart healthcare solutions moving forward.

Vietnamese, Indian coast guards boost maritime law enforcement

The CSB 8005 vessel under the Command of Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) Region 3 has successfully completed a working mission with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in Kochi city, Kerala state of India.

Col. Nguyen Minh Khanh, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Command of Coast Guard Region 3, and head of the Vietnamese delegation, said the December 3-31 trip reflected desire to foster deeper cooperation, trust and mutual understanding in maritime law enforcement between the VCG and ICG, for the benefit of the two countries’ people and for peace and stability in global and regional waters.

It also provided their officers and staff with a chance to engage in cultural exchange and share experiences in building a stronger maritime force. Key areas of focus included improving operational capabilities in operating vessels, weapons and technical equipment, as well as conducting joint training in search and rescue, firefighting, and oil spill response at sea, according to VNA.

Col. Nguyen Minh Khanh, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Command of Coast Guard Region 3 (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Preparation for the journey was thorough. Khanh revealed that extensive training was conducted for the officers and crew members aboard the CSB 8005, covering legal knowledge, diplomacy, and insights into Indian history, culture, people and the ICG operations.

According to him, the working mission to Kochi by the CSB 8005 vessel and the VCG delegation marked a historic first. It was also the farthest journey undertaken, covering nearly 6,000 nautical miles. Despite facing challenging and complex weather conditions, the vessel operated continuously and successfully met all mission objectives while ensuring absolute safety in all aspects.

The Indian counterparts expressed high praise for the Vietnamese delegation, commending their professionalism and dedication throughout the mission, he added.

Vietnamese exports to Indonesia hit record high in 2024

Two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Indonesia reached US$16 billion in 2024, of which exports were estimated to exceed US$6 billion, a record high figure so far, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Bilateral trade has grown rapidly over the past four years, rising from US$8.07 billion in 2020 to US$16 billion in 2024.

The total export value of key Vietnamese commodities to Indonesia hit US$917.69 million, up 20.4% year on year.

Rice is the agricultural product with the highest export value, as Indonesia continues to be Vietnam’s second largest rice export market. During the 11-month period, Vietnam shipped more than 1.1 million tonnes of rice to Indonesia worth US$679 million, up 6.2% in volume and 10.4% in value.

Most notably, the group of means of transport and spare parts raked in US$379 million, an annual rise of 21.8%, VOV reported.

Rice is the agricultural product with the highest export value to Indonesia.

The robust growth was significantly attributed to the export of VinFast electric cars (EVs) for the first time to Indonesia, which is considered to be one of the automobile manufacturing hubs in Southeast Asia and is a fiercely competitive market.

The export of EVs to Indonesia has therefore contributed to reducing the trade deficit for this group of products, particularly as the Vietnamese side still had to import cars from Indonesia with a relatively large annual value in the past.

According to the Vietnam Trade Office in Indonesia, both sides are aiming to increase bilateral trade turnover to US$18 billion by 2028 and to strengthen cooperation in the spheres of the digital economy, green economy, energy transition, and development of EV ecosystems.

Logistics firms optimistic about growth prospects in 2025: Survey

The logistics industry’s business community has expressed optimism about growth prospects in 2025, with nearly 42% of companies surveyed by Vietnam Report JSC affirming that their business outlook will be more positive.

This optimism is not only rooted in improvements within the companies themselves but also in the assured support from government policies and the global growth trend in international trade, according to the survey.

Not only businesses but many economists also expect that 2025 — the final year of the 2021-2025 five-year socio-economic development plan — will see a strong transformation in Vietnam’s logistics industry. Companies are set to take advantage of opportunities arising from the global supply chain shift, ramp up investments, and apply advanced technologies to strengthen the sector’s vital role in the economy, it said.

Vu Dang Vinh, CEO of Vietnam Report, said with the support of the Government, logistics companies have been provided with numerous advantages, resolving several internal challenges, and stabilising operations. The Government has focused on administrative reforms, particularly in customs and specialised inspection agencies, reducing procedure times and legal costs for businesses. Strategic ports like Lach Huyen in Hai Phong and Cai Mep - Thi Vai in Ba Ria - Vung Tau continue to be upgraded, driving maritime transport, a key segment of logistics.

Furthermore, the application of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and supply chain management (SCM) systems has been strongly encouraged, improving productivity and management efficiency in many logistics businesses.

According to Vinh, this period is crucial for the successful implementation of the action plan to enhance Vietnam’s logistics competitiveness and develop logistics services by 2025, It also marks an important preparatory phase for the logistics services development strategy for 2025-2035, with a vision to 2050, aiming to establish logistics as a spearhead service sector, thereby enhancing national competitiveness, he added.

The Government is also accelerating key transport infrastructure projects, focusing on connecting and developing integrated logistics infrastructure to improve domestic and international transport efficiency, while policies to promote trade, attract international investment, and leverage the benefits of new-generation Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are being implemented, cited VNA.

A container warehouse at Tan Vu port in Hai Phong city (Photo: VNA)

These efforts not only stimulate the development of high-tech logistics centres but also create modern supply chains, enhancing the value of domestic and international logistics services. Looking forward, the collaboration between the Government, businesses, and associations will not only help the logistics sector overcome current challenges but also position Vietnam as a leading logistics hub in the region.

From a business perspective, Nguyen Thi Hoa, Director of Goldtrans Transport and Forwarding JSC, a company that enjoyed a successful year in 2024, said that Goldtrans is highly optimistic about both its own growth prospects and the overall development of the logistics industry, as market demand begins to recover.

In particular, with increasing signs that the US-China trade conflict may intensify, foreign direct investment inflows into Vietnam are expected to rise, Hoa held, revealing that Goldtrans has set a growth target of 20% for 2025.

Recommending solutions and strategies to help logistics companies optimise operational costs, enhance productivity, develop human resources, and diversify markets, Dao Trong Khoa, Chairman of the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA), stated that in the short term, businesses must continue to accelerate digital transformation and adopt technologies while practicing environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards to pursue sustainable growth, or green logistics.

Eight Vietnamese officers join UN peacekeeping missions in Africa

Eight Vietnamese military officers have been deployed to serve in United Nations peacekeeping missions in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and South Sudan (UNMISS), marking another step in Vietnam’s global peacekeeping contributions.

On January 2, the Ministry of National Defense held a ceremony to present official deployment decisions from the President and the Minister of National Defense to eight officers.

Six of them will serve in the MINUSCA mission, undertaking roles such as Training Staff Officer, Logistics Staff Officer, Operations Officer, Intelligence Analysis Officer, Communications Officer, and Intelligence Staff Officer.

Two officers will be deployed to the UNMISS mission as a Staff Officer and a Military Observer.

Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense, presented the decisions and expressed confidence in the officers’ ability to fulfill their duties in any position.

He emphasized their role as Vietnam’s peace ambassadors, showcasing the noble qualities of Vietnam’s military personnel and promoting the image of the Vietnamese people and nation.

The Deputy Minister urged the officers to prioritize safety given the unpredictable security situations in their mission areas.

He also encouraged them to exhibit confidence, professionalism, and resourcefulness while collaborating effectively with international colleagues, VNN reported.

Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense, congratulates the eight officers. Photo: Thuy Linh

While serving abroad, the officers are expected to embody self-reliance, resilience, and creativity.

They were advised to work closely within their teams, maintain internal unity, and foster mutual support to overcome challenges and complete their missions successfully.

Vietnam has steadily increased its participation in UN peacekeeping operations, particularly in expanding the number of female personnel in line with the UN’s gender equality strategies and Vietnam’s commitments.

To date, nearly 1,100 Vietnamese personnel have served in UN peacekeeping missions across three locations, including the UN headquarters.

The Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations is actively preparing the fourth Engineering Unit and the seventh Level-2 Field Hospital for deployment in 2025.

The MINUSCA mission was established under a 2014 UN resolution to protect civilians, support the peace process, and implement the 2019 Peace and Reconciliation Agreement between the Central African Republic government and armed groups.

The UNMISS mission, created in 2011 under UN Security Council Resolution 1996, focuses on maintaining peace, fostering political stability, supporting economic development in South Sudan, and assisting the government in reducing conflict and protecting civilians.

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