The Scientist Who Helped Put Vietnam’s Medical Innovation on the Global Map

From pioneering pediatric surgery to advancing regenerative medicine, Professor Nguyen Thanh Liem’s work continues to shape healthcare innovation in Vietnam and beyond

During Vietnam’s National Science and Technology Month, Professor Nguyen Thanh Liem, Professor at VinUniversity and Director of the Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology, has been recognized among the scientists whose contributions have left a lasting impact on the country’s scientific and technological development.

The recognition reflects more than three decades of work spanning pediatric surgery, regenerative medicine, stem cell research, and clinical innovation. Throughout his career, Professor Liem has helped position Vietnam not only as a recipient of global medical knowledge, but increasingly as a contributor to it.

A Pioneer in Pediatric Minimally Invasive Surgery

Professor Liem is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of pediatric laparoscopic surgery in Asia and the first surgeon to introduce pediatric laparoscopic techniques in Southeast Asia.

Among his most influential contributions is the development and refinement of minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of choledochal cysts in children. His expertise in this field has led to invitations to perform live surgical demonstrations in seven countries and territories.

The techniques developed through his clinical and research work have been incorporated into leading pediatric surgery and minimally invasive surgery textbooks published in the United States and Europe. Over the course of his career, he has introduced multiple novel laparoscopic procedures and contributed extensively to the advancement of pediatric surgical practice through international publications and clinical innovation.

Contributing Knowledge to the Global Medical Community

Scientific leadership is measured not only by discovery, but also by influence. Professor Liem has been invited to lecture, demonstrate surgical techniques, and share research findings at leading medical institutions around the world.

One notable example was his invited lecture at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, one of the world’s leading pediatric hospitals. The invitation reflected international recognition of innovations developed through his research and clinical practice in Vietnam.

His career illustrates a broader transformation in global scientific exchange. Increasingly, knowledge generated in Vietnam is contributing to international medical practice, helping address challenges that extend far beyond national borders.

Advancing Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy

Beyond surgery, Professor Liem has played a pioneering role in regenerative medicine and cell based therapies. Beginning in the early stages of global development in this field, he led research exploring the application of stem cells and cellular therapies for conditions that traditionally had limited treatment options.

His work has included studies involving autism spectrum disorder, stroke, traumatic brain injury, neurological complications associated with spina bifida, and other severe conditions. Several clinical trials conducted under his leadership have provided important evidence supporting the safety and potential effectiveness of regenerative therapies.

More recently, his research team contributed to the successful development and clinical application of locally manufactured CAR T cell therapy, demonstrating how advanced cellular therapies can become more accessible in middle income countries and creating new possibilities for patients who previously had few treatment options.

International Recognition for Scientific Impact

Professor Liem’s contributions have been recognized by leading scientific and professional organizations worldwide. In 2018, he received the Nikkei Asia Prize, one of Asia’s most prestigious honors celebrating individuals whose work advances the region through science, innovation, and social impact.

He has also received distinctions from international professional societies, including honorary recognition from the pediatric surgical community in Russia. These honors reflect the global reach of a career dedicated to translating scientific discovery into meaningful clinical outcomes and improving healthcare for patients across generations.

Building a Research Ecosystem for the Future

Scientific breakthroughs rarely emerge from individual effort alone. Behind every clinical trial, publication, and medical innovation stands a community of researchers, physicians, engineers, technicians, and students working together to expand the boundaries of knowledge.

Today, Professor Liem works alongside a growing team of scientists at VinUniversity and the Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology. Their research spans regenerative medicine, stem cell biology, gene technology, cellular therapy, and translational medicine. Among the researchers contributing to this work are Dr. Hoang Thanh Van, Dr. Dao Thi Mai Lan, Dr. Phan Kieu Trang, Dr. Nguyen Thi Quyen, Dr. Dinh Hong Nhung, and many other colleagues across VinUniversity, Vinmec, the National Children’s Hospital, and collaborating institutions.

Together, they have built one of Vietnam’s most active research programs in regenerative medicine and advanced therapeutics, producing internationally recognized publications, conducting clinical trials, and developing treatments that address some of the most challenging conditions in modern medicine. Their work reflects a broader vision of creating a research ecosystem where scientific discovery moves beyond publication and into real world healthcare impact.

A Legacy Beyond Awards

While international recognition and scientific achievements form an important part of Professor Liem’s story, perhaps his most enduring contribution lies in the knowledge, institutions, and people he has helped build.

Great scientists create discoveries. Exceptional scientists create institutions, disciplines, and future generations of researchers. The legacy of Professor Nguyen Thanh Liem can be seen not only in the patients he has treated or the awards he has received, but also in the scientific community he continues to help build at VinUniversity and Vinmec.

As VinUniversity advances its ambition to become a globally recognized research university, scholars such as Professor Liem exemplify how scientific excellence, innovation, and academic leadership can contribute to solving challenges that matter both in Vietnam and around the world.