While IVF has helped many couples in Vietnam conceive, authorities are grappling with illegal activities involving sperm and egg trading and surrogate pregnancies, according to a senior health official.

After 10 years of development, Vietnam now has 53 IVF support centers. With costs ranging from tens to hundreds of millions, the service is becoming highly profitable.

A programme specifically designed for needy couples facing infertility issues is expected to help 100 couples to have the chance to expect their first child after unsuccessful attempts.

There are 53 centers for reproduction assistance and in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the country. With a cost of tens to hundreds of millions of dong for each operation, the service brings very high profits.

For years, numerous foreign couples have travelled to Vietnam not for leisurely purposes but rather for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedures.

More than 16,300 babies have been born via the in vitro fertilization (IVF) service at Ho Chi Minh City-based Tu Du Obstetric Hospital since the first three cases were successfully conducted 25 years ago.

Furthermore, compared to other regions and countries, the cost of infertility treatment in Vietnam is significantly lower.

A new surgical technique developed by renowned obstetric surgeon Nguyen Viet Tien, also Deputy Health Minister, could replace the IVF (in-vitro fertilization) method for thousands of infertile women.