On 28 July 2026, at the 19th Asia Pacific Congress of Pediatrics (APCP 2026) held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Prof. Tran Minh Dien, MD, PhD – Director of Viet Nam National Children’s Hospital (VNCH) and President of the Vietnam Pediatric Association was presented with the 2026 Outstanding Asian Pediatrician Award (OAPA 2026) by the Asia Pacific Pediatric Association (APPA).
Prof. Tran Minh Dien received the 2026 Outstanding Asian Pediatrician Award at the award ceremony held as part of APCP 2026.
The 2026 Outstanding Asian Pediatrician Award (OAPA 2026) is one of the prestigious awards presented by the Asia Pacific Pediatric Association (APPA) to honor pediatricians who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of pediatrics and child healthcare in the region. Under APPA regulations, each member pediatric society may nominate only one candidate for each award cycle. The selection process considers not only the candidate’s achievements and contributions in their home country, but also their contributions to the advancement of pediatrics, professional collaboration, and child healthcare across the Asia-Pacific region.
Prof. Tran Minh Dien was honored by APPA for his outstanding contributions to child healthcare, healthcare workforce development, scientific research, and the advancement of pediatrics in Viet Nam and the region. With more than 30 years dedicated to pediatrics, Prof. Tran Minh Dien has been directly involved in the treatment of numerous critically ill children and children with life-threatening conditions. He has made significant contributions to the development of pediatric critical care and emergency medicine, particularly postoperative care following cardiac surgery and critical care for pediatric organ transplantation. Alongside his clinical work, he has actively contributed to the development of clinical protocols, training of healthcare professionals, promotion of scientific research, and implementation of advanced medical techniques, thereby helping improve the quality of treatment and care for children in Viet Nam.
The award represents recognition by the Asia-Pacific pediatric community of the contributions made by Prof. Tran Minh Dien and Vietnamese pediatrics.
In his roles as Director of Viet Nam National Children’s Hospital and President of the Vietnam Pediatric Association, Prof. Tran Minh Dien has led the development of numerous pediatric subspecialties, promoted technology transfer, healthcare workforce training, and scientific research, contributing to strengthening the capacity of the pediatric healthcare system nationwide. At the same time, he has actively expanded international collaboration by connecting experts, organizations, and healthcare institutions across the Asia-Pacific region and around the world, facilitating academic exchange and the transfer of knowledge and medical technologies, thereby contributing to the growing international standing of Vietnamese pediatrics.
The 19th Asia Pacific Congress of Pediatrics (APCP 2026), themed “Redefining Paediatric Care – Blending Equity, Excellence and Technology,” brought together a large number of pediatric experts, scientists, and healthcare professionals from across the region. The Congress served as an important forum for academic exchange, experience sharing, and updates on the latest advances in research, education, and clinical practice, with the shared goal of improving the quality of child healthcare.
The delegation of the Vietnam Pediatric Association attended the 19th Asia Pacific Congress of Pediatrics (APCP 2026) in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The 2026 Outstanding Asian Pediatrician Award is a recognition by the Asia-Pacific pediatric community of Prof. Tran Minh Dien’s sustained and outstanding contributions to child healthcare and the advancement of pediatrics. The award is not only a great honor for Prof. Tran Minh Dien personally, but also a source of pride for the Vietnam Pediatric Association, Viet Nam National Children’s Hospital, and the Vietnamese pediatric community. It also reflects the growing position of Vietnamese pediatrics in international professional collaboration, scientific research, and global integration, contributing to improved child healthcare in Viet Nam and across the region.
