Vietnam’s Binh Dan Hospital marks a decade of pioneering Robotic Surgery
Thursday, 14/05/2026, 14:25 GMT+7
The hospital was the first in Vietnam to introduce robotic surgery for adults in 2016 – it has since conducted over 3,900 robotic surgeries
Binh Dan Hospital is the first institution in Vietnam to offer robotic surgery for adult patients, back in 2016. As a major referral hub for complex, acute surgical cases in Southern Vietnam, the hospital operates close to 1,000 beds and performs 32,000 surgeries annually across multiple specialties. Over the past 10 years, the hospital has conducted over 3,900 robotic procedures with a single da Vinci Si system.
In this interview, Binh Dan Hospital Director Assoc. Prof. Tran Vinh Hung, MD, and robotic surgeon Nguyen Phu Huu, MD, PhD, reflects on the hospital’s 10-year journey with robotic surgery, and elaborates on upcoming plans to expand training capabilities and robotic surgery capacity.
Q: 2026 marks 10 years since Binh Dan Hospital introduced robotic surgery. Looking back, what first prompted the hospital to adopt the technology?
Assoc. Prof. Tran Vinh Hung, MD, PhD: In 2016, we were a leading surgical centre in Southern Vietnam, performing nearly 40,000 surgeries annually. We witnessed firsthand the rapid technological shifts in the field, and recognised that robotic surgery represented the future of global medicine. Our greatest motivation at that time was to bridge the technological gap in patient treatment. Specifically, it was disheartening to see Vietnamese patients traveling abroad at immense cost to access advancements that we were more than capable of implementingright here in our hometown.
As the pioneer of adult robotic surgery in Vietnam, we encountered significant procedural hurdles. Nevertheless, we viewed this as a cornerstone for sustainable development and pursued it with resolve. Our mission extended beyond just patient treatment; we aimed to foster training and research, thereby putting Vietnamese medicine on the global medical map. After 10 years, the data proved that it was the right path to take.
Q: What were the key steps taken to build a strong robotic surgery programme from scratch? What challenges did you face?
Assoc. Prof. Tran Vinh Hung, MD, PhD: We approached the implementation of robotic surgery through a strategic framework often described in Asia as the “three-legged stool”: personnel – equipment – infrastructure. We underwent meticulous and thorough preparation long before the launch.
Human capital served as the most vital pillar. We were fortunate to possess a core team of highly seasoned surgeons, already proficient in both open surgery and laparoscopy procedures. Six surgeons with over 20 years of experience were selected to obtain formal certification at a specialty Robotic Surgery Training Center in Korea. In parallel, we prioritised rigorous training for our anesthesiology and resuscitation staff, as well as our nursing teams and surgical technicians. We also invested in standardised, synchronised operating suites equipped with comprehensive infection control systems.
The most formidable challenge was not the technical transition itself, but overcoming the resistance to change. At the time, we faced skepticism from some colleagues and misconceptions from the public, who often mistook the system for an “autonomous robot” that could operate independently without human control.
As a public hospital, we did not rely on large-scale marketing budgets. Instead, we chose to earn public trust through proven clinical outcomes and objective evaluations from mass media channels such as television, radio, and newspapers. It was the success of these complex cases that sparked a powerful “word-of-mouth” effect. This organic reputation-building helped demystify robotic surgery, empowering patients to make informed decisions and place their trust in Binh Dan Hospital.
Q: From what you have observed, what are the key benefits of robotic surgery?
Nguyen Phu Huu, MD, PhD: The robot truly acts as an “extended arm,” empowering surgeons to perform sophisticated manoeuvres with delicate and precise dissection around vital neurovascular structures in narrow, deep surgical fields (such as the pelvic cavity, renal hilum, and mediastinum) that are often beyond the reach of the human hand. Consequently, robotics has fundamentally expanded our therapeutic horizons.
Q: More hospitals in Asia are now considering robotic surgery. What is your advice for them? What should they consider when making the decision?
Assoc. Prof. Tran Vinh Hung, MD, PhD: The growing adoption of robotic surgery across Asian hospitals is a promising development; indeed, I view this as an inevitable evolution in healthcare. Robotic surgery has transitioned from a niche, emerging technology into an era of widespread application, now firmly embedded in routine clinical practice, simulation-based training, and rigorous quality management.
Drawing from our decade of operational experience, my primary advice is: Never view the robot as a mere “standalone machine”.
Rather, from the standpoint of a public institution, we believe the critical success factor lies in fostering a synchronised ecosystem. A robotic system can only achieve its full therapeutic potential when anchored by an elite surgical team and supported by specialised postoperative protocols. Ultimately, because high-quality human capital is paramount, the strategic focus must remain on cultivating talent long before investing in the hardware itself.
Q: The robotic surgical system is a costly investment. What are your thoughts on ensuring return on investment, while keeping costs accessible?
Assoc. Prof. Tran Vinh Hung, MD, PhD: Binh Dan Hospital operates under a model of full public autonomy and as a non-profit entity. Accordingly, our primary mandate is to reinvest all revenue into advanced medical techniques, thereby optimising the quality of care for the public. From our perspective, the most meaningful “profit” is measured by the number of lives saved and the speed at which our patients can safely return to their families.
Notably, while robotic surgery currently represents only 1.4% of our total annual surgical volume, 95% of these procedures are dedicated to treating life-threatening conditions. Over a decade of operation, we have successfully capped the cost at just over US$6,000 per case. This remains one of the most competitive rates in the region.
To sustain this, we implemented a strategy of “Operational Capacity Optimisation.” By maximising the system’s utilisation and working tirelessly to amortise depreciation costs over a higher volume of procedures, we achieve significant economies of scale. Ultimately, we do this to ensure that all Vietnamese citizens, regardless of their financial standing, retain the fundamental right to access the world’s most sophisticated medical advancements.
Q: Binh Dan has now been designated as a National Training Center for Robotic Surgery. Could you elaborate on the objectives and scope of the Center?
Assoc. Prof. Tran Vinh Hung, MD, PhD: Binh Dan Hospital operates under the Hospital-University model. Developing a training program has been part of our strategy from the beginning. The recent launch of our formal Robotic Surgery Training Courses marks the realisation of this long-term vision.
Consistent with our commitment to open innovation, we do not keep this technology within our own walls. Our official accreditation as a training site in January 2026 has solidified Binh Dan Hospital’s role as the “cradle” of robotic surgery education in Vietnam. The immediate surge in registrations following our enrolment announcement underscores the high demand for this expertise. This is not only a source of immense pride but also a profound mandate for us to elevate the overall surgical standards of the Vietnamese healthcare sector.
Q: What are your upcoming plans around robotic surgery?
Assoc. Prof. Tran Vinh Hung, MD, PhD: At major international conferences, such as the European Association of Urology Annual Congress (EAU 2026) which we recently attended in London, we witnessed breakthroughs in robotic surgery. The landscape is shifting rapidly, with numerous medical device manufacturers from the United States, Japan, South Korea, and China introducing modern robotic surgical systems.
Driven by increasing demand for treatment, Binh Dan Hospital is currently evaluating the acquisition of two to three additional next-generation robotic systems from Europe and Japan. This diversification of markets grants us the flexibility to select versatile, multi-tasking systems tailored to our specific clinical needs. Healthy competition allows us to secure the best possible clinical outcomes while ensuring the most cost-effective solutions for our patients.
Q: Lastly, what is your vision for Binh Dan and the robotic surgery programme?
Assoc. Prof. Tran Vinh Hung, MD, PhD: My vision is to cultivate a “smart surgical ecosystem” at Binh Dan Hospital, anchored by three fundamental pillars:
● Becoming a regional robotic surgery training hub in Southeast Asia, actively facilitating the transfer of advanced surgical techniques to our regional partners.
● Integrating robotics with Artificial Intelligence to personalise patient care and optimise precision in every surgical intervention.
● Above all, I aspire for Binh Dan Hospital to stand as a symbol of excellence in the public sector—solidifying the trust of our citizens by proving that the highest standards of global medicine are accessible to all.
Ultimately, our work goes beyond merely operating machinery; we are dedicated to ensuring that high technology truly serves the life, well-being, and happiness of our people.
