Hanoi is a bustling city, with its row of shops proudly displaying local brands. We would never have to worry about falling asleep as coffee shops can be found on almost every corner to keep us awake and energised. There are many types, from salted coffee to egg coffee, with so many other variations in between that it feels impossible to limit ourselves to just one or two.
It is autumn. The wind feels cool on our skin. We are told that at this time of the year, it would normally be cooler. Global warming appears to have made temperatures warmer than expected. Regardless, it is just the perfect weather to move about the city on foot, as we watch life unfold beneath the many red flags lining the streets. A symbol of national pride.
As much as we enjoy immersing ourselves in the culture, peering into buildings and learning a fact or two about Hanoi’s history, the purpose of our visit is largely academic. Carrying Universiti Malaya’s brand with us means meeting expectations and seeking to expand collaborations, whether in teaching or research.
Another key goal of our visit is to share and promote our work in Implementation Science, particularly in our role as a Regional Training Centre for the Western Pacific. As public health professionals, we have often seen that proven treatments and health programmes do not always reach the people who need them most. This is where Implementation Science becomes important. It helps us understand how to deliver effective health solutions more effectively so they can be used widely at the community level.
While this field has been developed for many years in Western countries, Implementation Science is still quite new in this region. Based at Universiti Malaya, we are actively looking for ways to strengthen skills and knowledge in this area across the region. Viet Nam has made strong progress in Implementation Science, and like Malaysia, there are still gaps to fill, lessons to learn, and many opportunities for closer collaboration.
Our first meeting was with colleagues from the Hanoi University of Public Health. We were warmly welcomed by Vice Rector Professor Le Thi Thanh Huong, along with Dr Pham Duc Phuc, Coordinator of the Vietnam One Health University Network, or better known as VOHUN. VOHUN connects 20 Vietnamese universities across the fields of medicine, veterinary science, public health, nursing, and food technology, all committed to promoting the One Health (OH) approach in understanding health. At this meeting, Dr Nguyen Ngoc Bich, Head of Faculty of Environmental and Occupational Health, was also present.
The second day was more hectic, yet it was incredibly productive and rewarding. Our conversations with colleagues from Hanoi Medical University, led by the Dean, Professor Le Minh Giang—a renowned figure in the field of HIV and addiction, were particularly meaningful, as we reflected on the Master of Public Health programmes at both universities and gained a better understanding of the differences in their structures.
Following the discussion, we were taken on a tour of the campus. Hanoi Medical University, founded in 1902 during the French colonial period, is the oldest university in Viet Nam. The buildings may be old, but they are beautifully maintained, with clear French architectural influences. As we walked past one of the classrooms, we caught a glimpse of students deep into an epidemiology class, made obvious by the classic two-by-two table drawn by the tutor on the board.
Our visit to the World Health Organization (WHO) Viet Nam office, located within the United Nations building, was an experience in itself. We passed through security before being escorted to the meeting room. Meeting Dr Van Thi Thuy, Technical Officer for HIV and Hepatitis, was such a pleasure. She generously shared insights into current priorities and potential areas of need. Dengue remains a common and pressing challenge. This visit was an important networking moment, as WHO’s close work with a wide range of stakeholders, not just within Vietnam but across the region as well.
On the last day, our visit to Supporting Community Development Initiatives, or SCDI, was particularly intriguing. Before SCDI came into existence, Dr Khuat Thi Hai Oanh, the Executive Director, began the work as a research initiative. Over time, Dr Oanh realised that research alone does not always translate into real change for communities on the ground. This realisation led to the beginning of SCDI as an organisation focused on action, impact, and people.
Over the past 15 years, SCDI has grown into a community-based organisation that works with people living in poverty and those who are often left behind. Their work is grounded in trust, long-term engagement, and a deep understanding of community needs. While the organisation’s approach has always been practical and people-centred, there is also a strong recognition that research continues to play an important role. SCDI is now gradually exploring ways to reintegrate research into its work, thus opening up opportunities for us to work together in capacity-building and training activities.
The three strong and inspiring women whom we met are a testament to the compassion behind its work, which is certainly admirable.
Overall, the visit to Viet Nam was both enriching and inspiring. Beyond the meetings and discussions, it gave us the opportunity to see how public health work takes shape in different settings, shaped by culture, history, and people on the ground. As we return home, we do so with fresh perspectives and a renewed appreciation for the power of partnership across the Global South.
The delegates to Hanoi were Professor Sanjay Rampal Lekhraj Rampal, Dr Nur Afiqah Mohd Salleh, Shathanapriya Ammikapathi, and Devi Peramalah.
Article written by Iqa Mohd Salleh
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