Vietnam’s Phu Quoc launches initiative to train 3,000 people in first aid ahead of APEC 2027

As Vietnam prepares to host APEC 2027, Phu Quoc, an island destination in the country’s Mekong Delta, is chosen as the venue for the event.

According to the local administration, the initiative seeks to train between 2,000 and 3,000 residents and workers on Phu Quoc from the fourth quarter of 2026 through the second quarter of 2027.

The program will prioritize passenger transport drivers, tour guides, hotel and resort employees, beach workers, teachers, security personnel, and community defense forces, who frequently interact with visitors and local residents.

Participants will receive instruction on recognizing cardiac arrest and respiratory failure, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and coordinating with the national emergency hotline at 115.

Those who complete the program and meet required standards will be qualified to provide basic emergency assistance in the community.

Le Hoang Vinh, head of the Community Healthcare Center under the Vinmec Healthcare System, said every minute is critical during emergencies, especially cardiac arrest cases.

“In the golden minutes after a medical emergency, the person who makes the difference may not be a doctor. It could be a family member, teacher, hotel employee, or driver,” Vinh said.

“Our goal is not only to build a professional emergency response system but also a community capable of recognizing emergencies and providing immediate assistance.”

Nguyen Thi Kim Loan, vice-chairwoman of the Phu Quoc administration, said the program is part of broader efforts to improve public health and strengthen medical preparedness for APEC 2027.

“Health is people’s most valuable asset, and effective first aid requires proper knowledge and skills. The rapid adoption of the 115 emergency hotline by residents and tourists over the past year reflects growing awareness of community health,” she said.

As part of the initiative, the island plans to install 30 automated external defibrillators at Phu Quoc Airport, seaport, beaches, and major tourist destinations.

The equipment, estimated to cost VND3 billion (US$116) to VND5 billion ($193) will be funded by Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup.

The island’s 115 pre-hospital emergency system, launched on October 11, 2025, operates as a public-private partnership led by the An Giang Department of Health, with funding from Vingroup through Vinmec Phu Quoc International Hospital.

The network includes one 115 dispatch center and three satellite emergency stations in Ganh Dau, Duong Dong, and An Thoi, operating around the clock and providing free emergency services to residents and visitors.

After one year of operation, the system received more than 13,000 calls, handled over 1,500 emergency cases, responded to 1,435 incidents, and safely transported more than 1,200 patients.

The service achieved a response rate of 94.97 percent, with ambulances departing within an average of 98 seconds after dispatch and reaching emergency scenes in approximately eight minutes.