On 29/05/2026, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital will host the “Ceremony commemorating the achievement of 100 liver transplants and the Scientific Workshop on Pediatric Liver Transplantation.” This event marks a major milestone in pediatric organ transplantation and reaffirms Vietnam National Children’s Hospital’s position as a leading pediatric hospital in Viet Nam on the regional and global medical map.
The program is expected to welcome leaders of the Ministry of Health, representatives of regulatory agencies, and numerous domestic and international experts, physicians, and scientists. The event is also an opportunity to reflect on more than 20 years of development of the Hospital’s pediatric liver transplantation program, while serving as a scientific forum for experts to exchange experience, share research outcomes, and update one another on advanced techniques in pediatric liver transplantation.
Pediatric liver transplantation at Vietnam National Children’s Hospital was initiated in 2005 under the direction of the Ministry of Health, led by Prof. Nguyen Thanh Liem, PhD (former Hospital Director) and other leading specialists. In its early phase, the program received support from Korean experts through technical transfer, workforce training, and the performance of the first liver transplant cases—laying the foundation for the development of pediatric liver transplantation in Viet Nam.
In 2012, the Hospital expanded its cooperation with Prof. Chin-Su Liu and colleagues at Taipei Veterans General Hospital (Taiwan), thereby strengthening capacity in surgery, intensive care, immunology, and long-term management for pediatric liver transplant recipients.
In addition to international cooperation, the Hospital’s pediatric liver transplantation program has also received close collaboration from major domestic centers such as 108 Military Central Hospital, Viet Duc University Hospital, and the National Organ Transplant Coordination Center. Effective inter-institutional support has played an important role in managing difficult cases—especially complex liver transplants and transplants from brain-dead donors.
As of May 2026, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital has successfully performed 100 pediatric liver transplants, making it the institution with the highest number of such cases nationwide. This milestone affirms the Hospital’s highly specialized expertise in pediatric organ transplantation and opens new opportunities for survival and a better future for many children with end-stage hepatobiliary diseases.
Beyond clinical development, the Hospital has actively promoted scientific research in pediatric organ transplantation through multiple Ministry- and national-level projects. The Hospital also regularly organizes professional workshops, training programs, and international cooperation activities to keep pace with the latest advances in pediatric liver transplantation and improve treatment quality.
Within the framework of the 29/05/2026 event, the “Scientific Workshop on Pediatric Liver Transplantation” will feature 16 in-depth presentations on pediatric liver transplantation, offering valuable perspectives and updating emerging trends in the field in Viet Nam and worldwide.
The ceremony commemorating the achievement of 100 pediatric liver transplants will include a symbolic “Tree of Life” lighting ritual, as well as activities expressing appreciation and honoring the teams and individuals who have supported the pediatric liver transplant program throughout its development. This is not only an occasion to recognize the efforts of the medical team, but also a tribute to donor families—whose generosity has provided life-saving opportunities for many children with serious illnesses.
Building on these achievements, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital continues to pursue the goal of developing a specialized, modern, and sustainable pediatric organ transplantation center; strengthening scientific research; training a high-quality workforce; and expanding international cooperation—bringing more life-saving opportunities to children in Viet Nam.
