The appointment underscores the significant professional stature of Bach Mai Hospital, a specialized facility under the Ministry of Health that has recently achieved distinct milestones in stroke care, international patient engagement, and infrastructure expansion. Dr. Co’s career is deeply rooted in emergency and critical care, a field characterized by the need for rapid, accurate response to critically ill patients.
Professional Background and Stroke Care Excellence
Born in 1973, Dr. Co graduated from Hanoi Medical University in 1996. He began his career as a treating physician at the Intensive Care Unit of Hai Duong Provincial General Hospital, serving from December 1996 to November 2005. In 2005, he completed a master’s degree in Emergency and Critical Care Medicine. His international experience includes a scientific internship at St. Anthony’s Hospital and the Mayo Clinic in the United States, institutions recognized for advanced training and research. He defended his doctoral thesis in Emergency and Critical Care Medicine at the 108 Clinical Medical Research Institute in 2013.
Upon joining Bach Mai Hospital, Dr. Co participated in professional activities, training, and teaching. He was appointed Deputy Head of the Intensive Care Unit in 2014 and assumed the role of Head of the Intensive Care Unit in June 2018, eventually rising to the position of Hospital Director.
Under his leadership, Bach Mai Hospital recently became the first healthcare facility in Vietnam to earn the “Advanced Stroke Centre” certification from the World Stroke Organisation (WSO). The certificate, the highest tier in the WSO’s stroke centre certification system, was presented at the 18th World Stroke Congress in Seoul on October 23, 2026. The certification is valid from July 20, 2025, to July 19, 2028.
Achieving this status required meeting 68 criteria, including 37 mandatory and 31 recommended standards. Applicants must satisfy all mandatory criteria and at least 75% of the recommended ones. The assessment covers the entire stroke care pathway, including infrastructure, specialized personnel, 24/7 emergency and reperfusion treatment, intensive care, rehabilitation, and quality management. The hospital underwent a rigorous four-month assessment where data on stroke patients was collected, verified for accuracy and traceability, and reviewed by WSO-appointed experts during an on-site visit. Dr. Co noted that the certification reflects the hospital’s commitment to international standards in stroke emergency and treatment procedures.
International Patient Volume and Global Reach
Bach Mai Hospital’s reputation has also expanded internationally. Clinical data from January 1, 2024, to October 10, 2026, records 3,871 international patients from over 120 countries and territories seeking medical examinations and treatment. This volume includes 2,721 outpatient visits, 65 day-care or specialized outpatient treatments, and 1,078 inpatient admissions. The inpatient cases largely involved severe, complex, or critical emergency conditions requiring specialized intervention.
Patient origins are diverse, with Asia accounting for the largest share. Notable numbers include 804 visits from China, 659 from Laos, 264 from Timor-Leste, and 156 from South Korea. The hospital also recorded significant patient volumes from Europe and the Americas, including 268 visits from Germany, 107 from the United States, and 79 from Russia. To support these patients, the hospital has mobilized medical professionals with strong foreign language skills to assist with admission, translation of medical records, and clinical consultations.
Expansion and Digital Transformation
The hospital is also undergoing significant structural and operational changes. Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan has directed relevant units to ensure the second facility of Bach Mai Hospital in Ninh Binh province opens by the end of June 2026. Dr. Co reported that the hospital has mobilized 1,288 officials and employees, completed licensing procedures, and implemented bidding processes for services, including transportation between the two campuses. The Minister emphasized the importance of completing interior facilities, technical systems, and fire prevention measures as mandatory conditions for safe operation. Upon opening, the new facility plans to organize free health check-ups for residents in the surrounding area.
Additionally, in August 2026, Bach Mai Hospital signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Techcombank, a major commercial bank, to build a modern healthcare financial ecosystem for the period 2026–2030. The partnership aims to accelerate digital transformation, digitize payment and cash-flow management, and improve hospital operations. This aligns with the hospital’s vision of “One Bach Mai, two campuses, one quality standard,” focusing on synchronized infrastructure and standardized operating procedures to enhance patient safety and care quality.
Dr. Co’s appointment to the Deputy Minister role positions a clinician with extensive experience in critical care and hospital management at the center of Vietnam’s health policy, reflecting the Ministry’s prioritization of emergency medicine and international standards in healthcare delivery.
