Vietnam launches All People’s Health Day 2026

The launching ceremony, themed ‘Proactive Disease Prevention for a Healthy Vietnam,’ was jointly organized by the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilization and the Ministry of Health at Thong Nhat Park.

The event brought together Trinh Van Quyet, head of the commission, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan, as well as leaders of ministries, localities, and international delegates.

Speaking at the ceremony, Quyet said Vietnam’s healthcare system and public health efforts have made significant progress in recent years.

However, he warned that the country is now facing new and complex challenges as disease patterns change rapidly, non-communicable diseases rise, the population ages, and the risk of emerging infectious illnesses remains present.

He stressed that disease prevention is no longer solely the responsibility of the health sector but must become a shared duty of the entire society, from individuals and families to the political system as a whole.

To achieve this, Quyet called for stronger efforts to raise public awareness, build a health-oriented culture, strengthen preventive and primary healthcare, and accelerate digital transformation in the health sector.

He also highlighted the use of big data, artificial intelligence, and electronic health records as key tools for more timely and proactive health management.

Minister Lan said the health sector is under growing pressure as non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, hypertension, and diabetes, continue to rise, alongside challenges from an ageing population, climate change, mental health issues, and poor nutrition.

In this context, she urged people to take a more proactive approach to their own well-being.

“Do not wait until you are sick to see a doctor. Have regular health check-ups and screenings. Early detection not only saves lives but also reduces the burden on families and society,” she said.

Lan also recommended maintaining a healthy lifestyle, with regular physical activity, a balanced diet, safe food practices, and limited consumption of tobacco and alcohol, noting that a strong body is the most effective shield against disease.

At the event, thousands of people took part in free medical check-ups, consultations, aerobic exercises, and walking activities.

Screening areas staffed by doctors from major hospitals in Hanoi used advanced techniques such as Doppler echocardiography, electrocardiograms, and rapid biochemical tests to detect common diseases at an early stage.

Associate Professor Nguyen Tien Quang, director of Hospital 19-8 under the Ministry of Public Security, said the hospital brought advanced cardiology techniques to the event, allowing people to access high-quality services on site.

“Mobile echocardiography helps detect hidden cardiovascular risks early, enabling timely recommendations so people can take proactive steps to protect their health,” he said.

Screenings in the cardiology area showed that many participants were at high risk. They had never undergone health check-ups before.

Some young people were found to have elevated blood pressure levels, while others with no symptoms were diagnosed with early signs of heart failure or valvular abnormalities during ultrasound scans.

According to Dr. Nguyen Kim Bang, deputy director of the Cardiology Institute at Hospital 19-8, hypertension affects about 25 percent of Vietnam’s population, and when atherosclerosis-related conditions are included, the figure may reach up to 30 percent.

These diseases often progress silently but can lead to severe complications such as heart attacks and strokes.

“Early screening is the golden window for intervention. When detected in time, people can adjust their lifestyles and diets, helping prevent dangerous complications,” he said.