The Clinical Immunology and Allergy Center under the Vinmec Healthcare System has officially become the first medical facility in Vietnam to be recognized by the World Allergy Organization (WAO) as a “Center of Excellence” for the 2025–2028 period. This marks a significant milestone affirming Vinmec’s clinical expertise and international integration strategy, while also highlighting a major step forward in its journey to become a globally standardized academic healthcare system.
Sharing about the journey to meet WAO’s stringent evaluation criteria, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh – Director of the Clinical Immunology and Allergy Center at Vinmec – also emphasized the Center’s guiding role in improving the quality of treatment, research, and training in the field of allergy and immunology in Vietnam.
Bridging the Gap Between Vietnamese and Global Medicine
How do you assess the significance of being recognized by WAO as Vietnam’s first Center of Excellence in Clinical Immunology and Allergy?
In the context where the allergy and immunology field in Vietnam still lags significantly behind global standards, the World Allergy Organization’s recognition of our Center as a Center of Excellence holds great significance. It is not only a professional acknowledgment but also a testament to Vietnam’s ongoing efforts to integrate into the global medical community in this specialized area.
For Vinmec’s Clinical Immunology and Allergy Center specifically, this recognition is the result of a strategic and consistent investment in enhancing clinical expertise, continuously updating modern technologies and treatment methods. At the same time, the Center has established a robust network of research and training collaborations with many prestigious institutions both in Vietnam and internationally, laying a strong foundation for sustainable development and global integration.
WAO Recognizes Vinmec’s Pioneering Role in Advancing the Field of Allergy and Immunology in Vietnam
WAO applies a strict set of evaluation criteria. In your opinion, what enabled Vinmec’s Clinical Immunology and Allergy Center to stand out and convince the international review board?
WAO highly values the fact that the Center not only focuses on treatment but also plays a critical role in standardizing clinical practices and enhancing the overall capacity of the allergy and immunology field in Vietnam.
To strengthen our clinical capabilities, we have built a team of physicians and nurses trained to international standards. Our clinical protocols are developed and regularly updated based on the standards of leading global hospitals, such as Penn State Penn Medicine (USA), Royal North Shore, and Northern Beaches (Australia).
The Center strictly adheres to treatment guidelines issued by world-renowned allergy organizations. The application of advanced therapies, including biological and immunologic treatments, has been a key factor in meeting WAO’s rigorous requirements. In addition, we ensure the Center maintains at least three subspecialties, allowing for multidisciplinary clinical allergy and immunology services.
Research and Education: Two Pillars Elevating Professional Excellence
In the research domain, the Center focuses on applied and clinical studies aimed at addressing health issues specific to the Vietnamese population. We have developed disease prognosis models based on genetic traits unique to Vietnamese patients and are working to identify more effective treatment methods. In parallel, we are conducting in-depth research into the pathogenesis of allergic and autoimmune diseases, while also bringing new clinical drug trials to Vietnam.
In terms of education, Vinmec emphasizes academic development as a foundation for building a high-quality healthcare workforce. We collaborate with VinUniversity in training medical students and residents, and partner with Hanoi Medical University and Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy to offer master's and doctoral programs in relevant specialties.
Reducing the Burden of Disease Through Early Detection
In your opinion, how will the WAO recognition that Vinmec recently received open up new directions for the field of allergy and immunology in Vietnam, and what specific benefits will it bring to patients?
Being recognized by WAO is not only a testament to the professional excellence of our Center but also a powerful catalyst for advancing the field of allergy and immunology in Vietnam. We will take the lead in transferring advanced techniques to lower-level hospitals, establishing integrated treatment models within the healthcare system, and participating in large-scale regional and international research projects.
Additionally, as an invited participant in WAO’s global specialized conferences, we can swiftly update on the latest trends and cutting-edge technologies and promptly apply them in treatment practices in Vietnam.
Vietnamese Patients to Access Global-Standard Healthcare Services
With the recognition as a Center of Excellence by the World Allergy Organization (WAO), patients in Vietnam will now benefit from healthcare services on par with those in developed countries. They will receive accurate diagnoses through the application of precision medicine and individualized treatment plans tailored to each patient's unique characteristics. Advanced treatment methods such as immunotherapy and targeted biological therapies will also be made available.
More importantly, we are developing comprehensive treatment strategies and long-term follow-up plans to help reduce relapse risks and improve patients' overall quality of life.
Raising Community Awareness About Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergies
Do you have any advice for the community, especially for those living with chronic allergies, on how to recognize and manage their condition early?
Currently, many patients and families believe that allergies are incurable and simply accept them as part of life. However, with today’s advances — such as allergen testing, allergen-specific immunotherapy (allergy vaccines), and targeted biological medications — allergic diseases can be effectively managed. These innovations significantly reduce the disease burden, both in terms of treatment costs and impact on quality of life.
Allergies often run in families and are more prevalent in individuals with a genetic predisposition. That’s why physicians can advise on preventive measures and early interventions — such as exclusive breastfeeding, moisturizing the baby’s skin right after birth, and minimizing the use of antibiotics during pregnancy and infancy — all of which help reduce the risk of developing eczema and other allergic diseases.
For patients who already know they are allergic to a particular drug, thorough medical assessment is essential for risk stratification, avoiding cross-reactions, and improving allergy management.
Additionally, up to 90% of patients labeled as allergic to antibiotics are, in fact, not truly allergic. Reassessing and “de-labeling” these cases not only ensures safer and more effective treatments but also helps reduce antibiotic resistance and lowers treatment costs.
Thank you very much for your insights, Doctor!
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