25 October to 5 November 2024
In late 2024, the Australia–Vietnam Family Doctor Exchange Program was successfully delivered in South Australia, bringing together Australian and Vietnamese clinicians to share knowledge, experience, and perspectives on primary healthcare delivery.
Initiated by the Australia Vietnam Friendship Society (AVFS) in partnership with Medical HQ and the Australian General Practice Network, the program has been several years in the making. Originally conceived in 2018, the exchange was delayed due to COVID-19 and resumed in 2024 with the visit of two family medicine doctors from Hanoi Medical University — Dr Nguyễn Trần Kiên and Dr Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Nhung.
During their visit to Adelaide, the doctors were exposed to a wide range of primary care settings, including metropolitan and rural general practices, a regional hospital and dialysis unit, aged care facilities, and community health services. They also engaged in discussions on Australia’s healthcare funding models, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), GP training pathways, and the role of primary care in prevention and chronic disease management.
A key strength of the program was its focus on both clinical learning and system-level understanding. The visiting doctors highlighted the value of Australia’s strong primary care model, particularly in contrast to healthcare systems that rely heavily on tertiary hospital care. The exchange also reinforced the importance of prevention, early diagnosis, and continuity of care in improving long-term health outcomes.
Beyond the clinical program, the visit fostered meaningful professional and cultural connections, supported by the generosity of host clinicians, community organisations, and institutions. These relationships have created new opportunities for future collaboration, training, and expansion of the exchange program.
The full report provides a detailed account of the visit, lessons learned, and future opportunities for strengthening primary healthcare collaboration between Australia and Vietnam.
We encourage readers to download and read the full report here.