Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s Ministry of Health and the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on April 22 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in pharmaceuticals and food and cosmetics safety.
The MoU was inked by Vietnamese Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan and Korean Minister of Food and Drug Safety Oh Yu-kyoung after their talks held during the RoK President’s state visit to Vietnam.
Lan expressed hope that Oh Yu Kyoung’s visit will make an important contribution to further strengthening cooperation between Vietnam and the RoK, including between the two ministries.
She noted that Vietnam and the RoK are currently comprehensive strategic partners, with collaboration expanding across a wide range of fields. Health cooperation, particularly in pharmaceuticals and food and cosmetics safety, has been continually promoted by both sides and yielded positive results.
The host described the MoU signing as a milestone forming a legal basis and long-term cooperation framework, thus enhancing practical ties between the two sides.
She also briefed the Korean side on Vietnam’s ongoing efforts to develop a comprehensive, modern and internationally integrated healthcare system through the implementation of major policies and resolutions adopted by the Party and National Assembly.
Among them, the Politburo’s Resolution No. 59 on international integration outlines orientations for developing a modern pharmaceutical industry, enhancing self-reliance in the production of medicines, vaccines and biological products, while promoting deeper international integration in the pharmaceutical sector.
Resolution No. 72 on some breakthrough solutions for promoting public health protection, care and improvement includes some provisions on strengthening food safety management and perfecting the risk-based management system in line with international practices.
Meanwhile, part of Resolution No. 57 on science, technology and innovation highlights the need to develop and more effectively manage medical equipment through improved institutional frameworks, technical standards and state governance capacity.
The implementation of these resolutions has created substantial demand for international cooperation, particularly in experience sharing, technology transfer and capacity building, the minister said.
Lan praised the RoK’s expertise in these fields and hoped that the two sides will continue to enhance substantive, comprehensive and effective cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
For her part, Oh highly valued bilateral cooperation in recent years. She also welcomed the information shared by her host regarding the Ministry of Health’s priorities in the new development period, as well as proposals for future cooperation.
The Korean minister highlighted her country’s strengths in food safety, medical devices, vaccine management systems, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Health proposed that future cooperation also cover stem-cell research and application, an area that the country is actively promoting to improve healthcare services.
The Korean side responded that it has approved stem-cell-based medicines and therapies more than a decade ago and is ready to share its experience and relevant regulations with Vietnam.
On investment, the Korean side noted its pharmaceutical companies are showing interest in expanding business and production in Vietnam.
It also suggested that Vietnam’s pharmaceutical regulatory authorities consider using Korean regulatory references in the pharmaceutical sector to facilitate cooperation in manufacturing, trading and technology transfer, thereby helping ensure stable pharmaceutical supply for the Vietnamese market.
Lan expressed confidence that with the determination and goodwill of both sides and the cooperation framework established through the newly signed MoU, relations between the two ministries will continue to flourish to deliver practical benefits to the peoples of both countries./.
