Ambassador Johan Ndisi speaks at the Sweden–Vietnam Health Innovation Symposium (Photo: Swedish Embassy in Hanoi)

Bao Tram: We appreciate you making time to speak with us today, Mr. Ambassador. What Swedish digital health tools or systems do you think could best match Vietnam in delivering faster, more reliable care, especially in remote regions?

Ambassador: That’s a very good question. The range of actors present at the Sweden–Vietnam Health Symposium today shows the importance and how many different Swedish companies are active within the healthcare industry.

Sweden's experience in using digital health tools to deliver reliable care in remote regions is something we can share. Sweden and Vietnam are very similar in geography. We’re both very long countries that need to provide healthcare in both urban and rural areas. Using digital health tools for that is very important. Our experience includes, first of all, Electronic Health Records. Our health records are digitized and are provided to the patient. Having records digitized and available when visiting different hospitals can help to speed up diagnosis. Also, Telemedicine. We have digital platforms where patients and doctors can connect remotely using video. I think this is quite important for remote areas. Underlying all of this is the necessity of having a strong, safe, and reliable digital network.

Bao Tram: Tell us about Sweden’s emphasis on prevention and sustainable health systems that could be relevant for Vietnam in early detection and long-term wellbeing?

Ambassador: The exchange of experts between Sweden and Vietnam is very important here. We have a lot to learn from each other and we are a perfect match for collaboration. Aspects of the Swedish model that could be relevant for Vietnam include: early detection methods, our strong vaccination programs, lifestyle health promotion—how to prevent diseases before they break out, and the focus on primary care with local clinics.

The sharing of expertise can help both nations. Sweden is strong in life science, and many Vietnamese have studied and completed their PhDs in Sweden. We have joint research programs between Swedish and Vietnamese hospitals and universities—this is a real strength for sharing best practices and experience.

Vietnam, with 100 million people, is also important for Swedish researchers to work together with Vietnamese researchers to develop new, relevant solutions that can also be used globally. That’s why we have global companies such as AstraZeneca and Getinge here today. This collaboration can yield global results.

Sweden–Vietnam Health Innovation Symposium in Hanoi on December 11, 2025 (Photo: Swedish Embassy in Hanoi)

Bao Tram: What are the takeaways of today’s discussions that can be realized into scalable projects in Vietnam?

Ambassador: The symposium and the exchange of views between experts today is an important episode in our collaboration. We’ll continue this close collaboration through 2026. What I, as Ambassador, would like to see is Swedish companies bringing smart solutions—in digital health, medicines, and medical devices—to Vietnam. The symposium is an opportunity to draw the interest of those who haven’t followed Vietnam closely. There is close collaboration between Swedish and Vietnamese companies and institutions, and I want to see researchers and companies with really high-tech, cutting-edge solutions use this partnership to test and grow their products so they’re available here locally. We can connect know-how and high-tech with local partners here in Vietnam before launching things together globally. Underlying all of this is that we’re long-term partners built on trust, not just technology providers. That partnership is why we have this close collaboration between researchers and companies.

Bao Tram: Within the next year, what concrete progress do you hope to see in Vietnam as a result of this deeper Sweden–Vietnam health cooperation?

Ambassador: I expect three things from my side: stronger connections between Swedish and Vietnamese health innovators; joint pilot projects in areas like telehealth and digital diagnostics; and energy moving into 2026 so that we continue to focus on closer health collaboration. That’s my wish, and I believe it’s possible.

Bao Tram:  Thank you, Mr. Ambassador, for the interview.

Ambassador: Thank you very much.