(VOVWORLD) - As fertility treatments become increasingly expensive and out of reach in many parts of the world, Vietnam is quietly emerging as a trusted and compassionate destination for couples seeking a chance at parenthood. With internationally trained specialists, advanced laboratories, and costs far lower than regional competitors, Vietnam offers not only medical solutions with success rates above the global average, but also renewed hope.
From the US, Eric John and Alysha Rene Marquez now hold their newborn daughter in Hanoi, a moment that marks the end of years of trying.
“Almost ten years we have waited to have a baby. We have tried for ten years and couldn't get pregnant, so a very long time,” said Alysha.
 Dr. Nguyen Binh Duong of Hong Ngoc-Phuc Truong Minh General Hospital hands the newborn to her father, Eric John, in Hanoi, marking the end of years of waiting for the US couple.
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After unsuccessful attempts and countless questions, it was their friends who urged them to consider something they had never seriously thought about before: IVF in Vietnam.
Their first attempt, a simple IUI carried out during a tight travel schedule two years earlier, failed. Then they were recommended moving to IVF, and specifically a mini-IVF protocol with mild stimulation. And Alysha responded exceptionally well: five eggs, all developing into five high-quality embryos, a rare outcome. One embryo was transferred and succeeded on the first attempt. For Alysha and Eric, the experience was life-changing.
“And we just feel like it was a gift, especially when the first one wasn't successful. We were very worried. But then when we heard her heartbeat, I think at like six weeks, so early. It was a miracle to hear her heartbeat.It’s amazing to have this little baby in Vietnam. We love Vietnam," said Alysha.
“I would say we have waited for her for a long time. And we are so thankful for everyone who's been a part of the journey of getting us here today. She has a lot of people who care and love her. She's worth it,” said Eric.
“So we named her after June to remember. And in June last year is when her embryo was made. So I think it's a good middle name. Eden June,” said Alysha.
For Eric and Alysha, even her child’s nickname carries a piece of their journey in Vietnam. They call her “Baby Cam (Orange)” - after the fruit Alysha craved most during the first month of pregnancy, and a small reminder of the country where Eden’s life began.
For Dr. Nguyen Binh Duong of Hanoi-based Hong Ngoc-Phuc Truong Minh General Hospital, who trained in Europe and oversaw Alysha’s case, Vietnam’s rapid rise as an IVF destination comes as no surprise.
“Now Vietnam is becoming more and more attractive for couples who try to do IVF because first we have a high successful rate. Second we have a really good price compared to other regions, and third we have every technique available in the market,” said Dr. Duong.
For Vietnamese mother Truong Thi Thanh Huyen and her Korean husband, Kim Hyunmin, the road to parenthood was marked by loss and resilience.
Before they even considered IVF, Huyen had endured two ectopic pregnancies, both emergencies that ended the same heartbreaking way: with surgeons removing both fallopian tubes. Natural pregnancy was no longer possible and IVF became their only path forward.
Their first IVF attempt brought hope, then once again fear: the embryo implanted outside the uterus, another ectopic pregnancy that required urgent treatment. The second transfer failed. The third came only after doctors worked intensely to improve her endometrial lining, and this time, it succeeded.
When Huyen recalled those years, her voice carries both fragility and strength. “I chose IVF because, after everything that happened, it was the only path left for me. The first attempts were extremely difficult, emotionally and physically. But Dr. Duong never gave up on me, and neither did the team. Thanks to their patience and their dedication, I was finally able to hold my baby in my arms.
According to HCM city-based Saigon Hospital, the average IVF success rate in Vietnam stands at around 45-50% per cycle, higher than the global average of about 40-43%. Having led Huyen’s case, Dr. Duong points to the technical foundations supporting Vietnam’s high rates.
“We have every technique available in the market, like IVF, ISCI, IMSI, IVM, we can do the PESA, Micro-Tese, Piezo ISCI, etc. And we do it routinely so we have a high standard to achieve a good pregnancy rate. We have a strong endocrinology department, strong genetic centers, anesthesia, and even traditional medicine,” said Dr. Duong. “And we have a very high quality laboratory here for the IVF, so we have very strict quality controls and we have the best available incubators in the world here. So that's why we have high success rate, and high live-birth rate.”
Moreover, Vietnam is known for offering IVF at far more affordable levels than many countries in the region, making treatment accessible for both local and international families, according to Dr. Duong.
“The average cycle costs around only 4,000 to 5,000 USD. Even with pre-implantation genetic testing, it remains under 10,000. We even have the mini-IVF protocol at around only 2,000 USD,” he added.
In the end, high medical standards, advanced techniques, dedicated specialists, and affordable treatment costs come together to make Vietnam not just an option, but a place where hope can truly take root. As Huyen put it, “I hope that anyone still waiting for their little one will stay strong and keep believing. Your miracle will come.”