A young man’s recent death in Vietnam has given four individuals a second chance at life through organ donation.
The case highlights growing progress in organ donation and transplantation within the country. Increased awareness and participation in organ donation are critical for addressing the global need for life-saving transplants.
Vietnam has seen significant advancements in this field over the past three decades, performing nearly 10,000 organ transplants to date. Notably, over 1,000 transplants were carried out annually in the last three years (2022-2024) across 31 hospitals, making Vietnam a leader in organ transplantation in Southeast Asia.
Currently, six types of organ transplants are performed in Vietnam, with kidney transplants being the most common (8,904 cases), followed by liver (754), heart (126), lung (13), upper limb (3), and intestinal (2) transplants. Hundreds of tissue transplants, including cornea, skin, and stem cells, have also been completed.
These advancements were discussed at the Vietnam International Conference on Organ Donation and Transplantation, held January 9-10, 2026. The conference, co-organized by the National Coordinating Center for Organ Transplantation, the Vietnam Transplantation Association, and the Tam Anh General Hospital network, brought together over 250 delegates from Vietnam and abroad. The event provided crucial scientific and practical insights to support policy planning, improve organizational models, and enhance the effectiveness of organ donation and transplantation activities.
The growing movement towards organ donation in Vietnam received a boost on May 19, when Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh pledged to donate his organs and tissues, and encouraged others to do the same. Within just two weeks of this call to action, nearly 10,000 people registered their intent to donate.
Numerous organ and tissue donation advocacy groups have been established, with strong involvement from both public and private healthcare institutions, contributing to a substantial increase in posthumous organ and tissue donation pledges, according to reports.
Looking ahead, Vietnam is focused on building a robust and efficient organ donation system, as highlighted by discussions at the Vietnam International Conference on Organ Donation and Transplantation. This effort aims to further improve outcomes and expand access to life-saving organ transplantation for those in need.
The increasing participation in organ donation reflects a growing sense of solidarity and hope within the Vietnamese community.
