A lesser-known fact: Vietnam, along with a few of the world's most advanced countries, can perform certain specialized medical techniques.

One such example is the treatment of microtia, a congenital ear malformation. Typically, a normal ear measures around 3 cm by 6 cm, but some children are born with ears as small as a pea, a peanut, or sometimes no ears at all. The occurrence of this defect varies globally, affecting approximately 1 in 4,000 to 1 in 9,000 live births. In Vietnam, there are an estimated 150 to 200 new cases each year.

Children with this defect often feel self-conscious and face significant challenges integrating into school life. Naturally, parents want their children to undergo surgery to reconstruct the ear. However, ear reconstruction is one of the most challenging procedures in cosmetic plastic surgery.

That said, I can confidently state that Vietnam is a "powerhouse" in auricular reconstruction.

In 2012, we handled a case involving the reattachment of a severed ear. When asked about the ear, the individual quickly searched a grass field and managed to retrieve it within the crucial six-hour window for successful microsurgical reattachment. This marked Vietnam's first case of microsurgical ear reattachment and one of the world's first five successful cases without postoperative complications.

Microsurgery to reconnect arteries and veins in a completely severed ear is extremely rare and challenging. In severe trauma cases where the detached ear is crushed or in congenital deformities where there’s no ear to reattach, the surgeon must reconstruct the auricle. Even in this field, Vietnam leads the way.

The ear has 15 to 20 different ridges and depressions. Structurally, the auricle comprises a thin white cartilage layer inside, covered by pink subcutaneous tissue, and a durable outer layer of thin skin. Ear reconstruction requires creating a delicate yet sturdy 3D cartilage framework before overlaying it with the thin skin layer. If the skin is too thick, the ear ridges won’t form; if too thin, the cartilage may protrude and become necrotic. Improper technique can result in the ear resembling a potato or fungus.

The ear's vascular system includes tiny blood vessels that are only a third the diameter of a toothpick. Surgeons must use super-microscopes to suture these vessels with threads as fine as one-tenth the thickness of a hair. The complexity of ear reconstruction is so high that the global Ear Surgery Association has only about 200–300 qualified surgeons.

Traditionally, doctors worldwide use the patient’s own rib cartilage for ear reconstruction. This method requires two to four surgeries, including harvesting rib cartilage, sculpting it into an ear framework, implanting it under the skin, shaping the ear, and refining the ridges and lobes. Using rib cartilage can lead to complications such as pneumothorax or significant postoperative pain. Patients must also wait until they are at least 10–12 years old to have sufficient cartilage for the procedure.

In Vietnam, we now use a new U.S.-developed technique, reconstructing the auricle in a single surgery using an artificial cartilage framework. Children as young as four can undergo the operation. However, this method is particularly challenging. Only two or three centers worldwide can perform it, including Vietnam. The key lies in harvesting a thin yet strong temporoparietal fascia while preserving its tiny blood vessels.

Vietnam's success stems from extensive experience with microsurgery and endoscopy. Auricular reconstruction with endoscopic assistance in a single surgery is a technique unique to Vietnam and the U.S.

Patients from around the world seeking this new procedure must travel to the U.S., where it costs approximately $100,000 (for the operation). Neighboring countries like Singapore and South Korea still use traditional methods. Parents (from Viet Nam) who want their children treated abroad for congenital ear deformities face costs of 2–3 billion VND (Around $80,000 – $120,000). Whereas, many major hospitals in India, Thailand, Indonesia, France, Germany, and Switzerland invite Vietnamese experts to perform ear surgeries or send delegations to Vietnam for training.

Vietnam achieves remarkable feats, yet international patients remain unaware that they should come here for treatment.

Beyond ear surgery, Vietnam has approached the highest global standards in many medical fields. However, my concern is why foreign patients are unaware of Vietnam as a destination for medical interventions. Vietnamese doctors achieve results comparable to those in the most advanced countries, but at only 25–30% of the cost, even for long and complex surgeries.

Vietnam has the potential to become a leading global hub for advanced medical services, which could generate significant foreign revenue. However, the reputation of Vietnamese healthcare does not yet reflect its true capabilities. International perceptions often view Vietnam as a developing country with underdeveloped medical infrastructure and services.

Yet, Vietnamese healthcare has made significant strides in recent years. Public hospitals have opened international-standard departments with improved services. Many private hospitals strive to meet international quality standards, collaborating with experts from public hospitals to introduce new technologies and techniques. Recently, not only the public hospital where I work but also a private international hospital received global accreditation from the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS). Some Vietnamese doctors, including myself, have been recognized as global lecturers by this prestigious organization. Despite these commendable efforts, the retention of domestic patients has only slightly improved. The number of foreign patients coming to Vietnam remains modest, partly due to inadequate promotion of Vietnamese healthcare.

From a national perspective, Vietnam has the potential to become a leading center for high-quality medical services, capable of performing even the most complex surgeries for international patients. The main challenge now is effectively communicating this capability to the world. It's crucial to highlight that Vietnam offers high-quality services at reasonable costs, making it an attractive destination for medical interventions.

Currently, only a small group of top international surgeons recognizes the capabilities of Vietnamese doctors. With more systematic promotion, Vietnam’s reputation in ear surgery and other medical fields could reach a global audience. Coordinating efforts between public and private hospitals to enhance expertise and service quality must go hand-in-hand with developing effective communication strategies. This synergy would help Vietnam's healthcare sector seize meaningful opportunities.