On May 6, a delegation led by Dr. Ho Huu Duc, Director of General Surgery and Party Branch Secretary of Thong Nhat Hospital (Vietnam), visited the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (ZJU4H). The visit focused on modern hospital management, disciplinary development, and cutting‑edge surgical techniques. The Vietnamese delegation aimed to gain first‑hand insights into ZJU4H’s expertise in hospital construction, minimally invasive surgery systems, and talent cultivation.

Site Visit: Praising ZJU4H’s Modern Smart Hospital

The delegation toured the International Healthcare Centre, the International Medical Care Center, the international Outpatient Center, the Pharmacy, and the Laboratory.

Dr. Ho Huu Duc was particularly impressed by the capsule endoscopy, intelligent navigation systems, and automated blood sample labelling at the International Healthcare Centre, remarking: “Vietnam does not yet have such convenient and efficient equipment.” He also highly commended the hospital’s self‑service registration machines and track‑guided trolley systems, repeatedly praising ZJU4H as a world‑class modern hospital and expressing a strong desire for long‑term, stable collaboration.

Surgical Observation: Up Close with Advanced Minimally Invasive Techniques

In the afternoon, the delegation visited operating theatres and the endoscopy centre to observe high‑level surgical demonstrations across three specialties.

• Professor Tang Zhe, Vice President of ZJU4H and Director of the General Surgery Centre, performed multiple minimally invasive liver cancer procedures, including laparoscopic surgery and radiofrequency ablation (RFA), showcasing standardised techniques in hepatobiliary tumour treatment.

• Professor Zheng Yichun, Vice President and Director of Urology Centre, conducted several Da Vinci robotic‑assisted resections for renal and prostate cancer, demonstrating the precision and minimally invasive advantages of robotic surgery.

• Dr. Yu Weihua, Associate Chief Physician of Gastroenterology, demonstrated endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), illustrating the mature endoscopic treatment for early gastrointestinal tumours.

The delegation gave high praise for the hospital’s precise, minimally invasive, and standardised surgical skills and operational procedures.

Exchange and Cooperation: Deepening Partnership for Shared Resources

At the subsequent symposium, both sides engaged in in‑depth discussions on hospital management, discipline development, and international training.

This technical exchange between China and Vietnam has built a practical bridge for cooperation. The delegation’s visit was not only a valuable learning opportunity but also marked a substantive step forward in the partnership between the two hospitals. ZJU4H will continue to expand international medical collaboration with Belt and Road countries, contributing to the shared development of healthcare in China and Vietnam, and to the well‑being of both peoples, with open arms, exceptional expertise, and quality care.