Bringing Laparoscopic Surgery to Phu Quy Island
For residents of Phu Quy Special Zone, surgery often means additional expenses for travel and accommodation, as well as the difficulties of leaving home for treatment on the mainland. The successful introduction of laparoscopic surgery on the island is expanding access to local treatment and gradually strengthening healthcare capacity in Vietnam’s coastal and island areas.
In early October 2026, the Phu Quy Special Zone Military-Civilian Medical Center, in collaboration with physicians from Binh Thuan General Hospital, successfully performed one appendectomy and three sterilization procedures using laparoscopic techniques.
These surgeries marked the center's first use of laparoscopic techniques after investment in medical equipment, staff training and technical knowledge transfer.
Situated 56 nautical miles from the mainland, Phu Quy has made a significant advance in its medical capabilities with the successful implementation of this technique, improving treatment accessibility for the island's residents. Patients with conditions suitable for local surgery can now avoid lengthy journeys and the related costs.
Dr. Tran Hong Vu, Deputy Director of Binh Thuan General Hospital and head of the technical transfer team, stated that the process of transfer was implemented in stages, including staff training, on-site assessments, and meeting the necessary professional and legal requirements. The team then assisted local medical personnel in performing the initial procedures.
These early outcomes provide a foundation for the center to further enhance its capabilities, gradually gaining mastery in laparoscopic abdominal surgery and broadening treatment options for residents of the island.
Strengthening Surgical Capabilities in an Island Community
This achievement reflects a long journey during which the Phu Quy Special Zone Military-Civilian Medical Center has gradually overcome many obstacles. Since 1988, local surgical and obstetric care has mainly involved emergency operations, most of which have been performed using traditional open surgery techniques.
The center carries out roughly 200–250 surgical procedures each year, including about 100 appendectomies and around 100 cesarean sections.
Other emergency cases involve complex situations such as perforated stomach ulcers, ruptures of the liver and spleen, ruptured ectopic pregnancies, and ovarian torsion resulting from twisted ovarian cysts.
Given the island’s distance from the mainland, the ability to perform surgery locally is particularly important, especially for patients requiring urgent intervention.
Since 2022, the boat journey from Phu Quy to Phan Thiet has taken approximately two hours and 15 minutes, making it more convenient for patients who need access to specialized treatment on the mainland.
Nevertheless, such trips still entail travel, accommodation and daily living expenses for patients and accompanying family members.
Expanding Access to Treatment and Improving Healthcare on the Island
The introduction of laparoscopic surgery on the island brings many practical advantages. In contrast to traditional open surgery, laparoscopy requires smaller cuts, results in less discomfort, carries a lower risk of infection, and usually allows for a quicker recovery. Patients whose conditions are suitable for local procedures no longer have to travel to the mainland just to undergo surgery.
Dr. Duong Tin Phuc, Director of the Phu Quy Special Zone Military-Civilian Medical Center, said that eligible patients can now undergo surgery locally, reducing the travel and accommodation costs associated with the three to four days they would otherwise spend in Phan Thiet.
Additionally, they can take advantage of health insurance benefits in line with relevant regulations.
The transfer of surgical techniques is enhancing local medical skills, facilitating prompt intervention for surgical emergencies, making the most of the critical window for treatment, and alleviating the burden on higher-level hospitals.
Investment in medical equipment is also gradually strengthening the island’s capacity to provide specialized healthcare, with plans to increase the center’s bed capacity from 70 to 90.
Enhancing medical examination and treatment capabilities in the special zone helps strengthen the confidence of residents, officials and military personnel in the island and maritime healthcare system. This enables residents to live and work with greater peace of mind and continue their livelihoods at sea, contributing to the protection of the nation’s sacred maritime sovereignty
Dr. Duong Tin Phuc, Director of the Phu Quy Special Zone Military-Civilian Medical Center