Cartilatist, the first off-the-shelf medicine product made from stem cells in Vietnam, is the result of 10 years of research and development at the Stem Cell Institute at the HCM City University of Natural Sciences.

The clinical application of stem cell therapy in Vietnam remains modest because of a shortage of stem cell products and high costs for research and application.

For nearly 30 years, researchers at the Faculty of Tissue, Embryo and Genetics under Pham Ngoc Thach Medical University have been making use of amniotic membrane, which is commonly treated as medical waste and discarded. 

The application of stem cells in agricultural development, especially in the selection and conservation of rare genetic resources, is an important topic in countries with a developed livestock industry. 

VietNamNet Bridge - Though Vietnam started later than developed countries in applying stem cells for medicinal purposes, it has made significant progress in the field.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Three years ago, Hoang Thi Thuy Linh, 29, from the central province of Quang Binh Province, was diagnosed with leukemia (blood cancer).  She was told her best chances lay in getting her damaged stem cells replaced.

 A stem cell industry in Vietnam is needed to meet the demand for stem cell applications in treatment and aesthetic procedures in the country, according to an expert.

VietNamNet Bridge - As of April this year, nearly 400 stem cell grafting operations had been performed in Vietnam, including 218 autologous and 169 allograft cases.

VietNamNet Bridge - With Vietnamese scientists’ ability and existing facilities, the application of dendritic cells (DC) therapy in Vietnam is feasible, which will bring new opportunities to help treat cancer.

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam has gained great achievements in stem cell science, but it is facing difficulties due to the lack of a legal framework.

VietNamNet Bridge – Achievements in building material technology, healthcare and agriculture were the best in the technology field in 2014.

 VietNamNet Bridge – While many wealthy consumers are lighting up at the chance to try ‘skin rejuvenation' using stem cells, the expensive therapy might not deliver on all its promises.

Because of increasing trend of Japanese encephalitis cases in the country, Vietnamese Ministry of Health issued June 27 some warning of the disease.

 VietNamNet Bridge - Vinmec Hospital in Hanoi has carried out a stem cell transplant for the treatment of cerebral palsy for a 13-month-old boy from the central province of Thanh Hoa.

Vietnam is really a potential market for stem cell services with the increasingly high number of people suffering from dangerous diseases and the people who can afford the expensive services.

Following the success of MekoStem, which is considered the first stem cell bank in Vietnam, some more banks would be set up to satisfy the increasingly high demand from the rich people.