The government and businesses are jointly stepping up efforts to advance Vietnam's medical artificial intelligence market, drawing attention from interested parties.
According to the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and other industry sources Monday, Korean medical AI companies accompanied President Yoon Suk Yeon in his recent state visit to Vietnam and discussed business cooperation with local companies.
A total of 205 companies joined the economic mission to Vietnam. Among the industry executives who accompanied President Yoon were Yoon Sang-hyun, vice chairman of Korea Colmar Holdings, Yang Gil-chun, senior vice president of JW Pharmaceuticals, Kwon Tae-geun, executive director of Samil Pharmaceuticals, Chung Shin-ja, chairwoman of Vigen Korea, Kim Kyung-nam, CEO of Waycen, Jang Jeong-hoon, director of Medipixel, and Jang Bu-hwan, vice president of Vivozon Pharmaceutical.
Among hospital managers, Jeon In-ho, head of the international business office at Asan Medical Center, drew attention as the only one to accompany the delegation.
The Vietnamese delegation also participated in the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum and MOU signing ceremony organized by the KCCI, where Waycen CEO Kim was seated at the same table as President Yoon, first lady Kim Kun Hee, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, also KCCI chairperson, Presidential Economic Advisor Choi Sang-mok, and Korean Ambassador to Vietnam Oh Young-joo.
Waycen has carried out a pilot project at St. Paul's Hospital in Hanoi, installing WAYMED Endo, an AI-based gastroscopy diagnostic assistant solution.
"In the presence of the president, we explained matters necessary for digital healthcare companies to expand overseas. The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy also listened to the industry. We felt that the government is making efforts to support the medical AI industry,” a Waycen official said. “In Hanoi, we discussed ways for further cooperation with local hospitals.”
Medipixel, which developed Medipixel XA, an AI-based cardiovascular disease diagnostic aid, also used the Vietnam tour to kick-start opening business opportunities in the Southeast Asian country.
"We attended most events of the economic mission to Vietnam, including the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum, and decided to continue meeting with Vietnamese companies,” a Medipixel official said.
On June 9, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology also held the “Korea-Vietnam Healthcare Artificial Intelligence (AI) + Digital Transformation (DX) Cooperation Forum” at Lotte Hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam.
At the forum, participants could experience the products and services of domestic AI and digital transformation companies, including KT, Vuno, Waycen, and AIPARK. At the same time, Lunit, Crescom, and JLK presented their AI solutions.
"Vietnam is one of the countries with Southeast Asia's fastest growing healthcare industry. The country already has a high proportion of foreign-made medical devices and is not reluctant to embrace foreign technology,” an industry executive said. “Vietnam is an attractive market for healthcare AI companies and one that Korean companies must preempt."