Vice Minister Tran Van Thuan, 
Dr. Nguyen Trong Khoa – Deputy Director General of the Viet Nam Administration of Medical Services,
Ms. Kyungnam Ryu – Country Representative of the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare in Viet Nam,
Prof. Dr. Kang Jea-Heon of Kangbuk Samsung Hospital,
Distinguished representatives from government, development partners, private sector, civil society, and academia — good morning.
Excellencies, colleagues,

I am honoured to join you for this important workshop on telehealth policies, bringing together representatives and leading experts from Korea, Viet Nam, and other key partners here in Ha Noi.
This workshop is part of the telehealth project funded by KOFIH, with technical support from Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, delivered in close cooperation with the Administration of Medical Services, the National Health Information Centre, and the Departments of Health in nine provinces.
We are deeply grateful for this strong and meaningful partnership, which reflects the shared commitment of Korea, Viet Nam and UNDP to advancing universal health coverage and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Telehealth is one of the most practical and transformative innovations shaping modern healthcare. It offers concrete, scalable solutions to long-standing challenges around access, service quality, and system resilience.
It extends the reach of medical specialists to support healthcare workers and patients throughout the country.
It enables continuity of essential services during emergencies, disease outbreaks, floods and storms, when physical access can be disrupted.
It helps streamline referrals and improve coordination of care, contributing to more efficient use of health system resources.
And it plays an increasingly important role in Viet Nam’s digital transformation toward a smart and resilient health system.

When I speak about telehealth, I think of a truly people-centred approach to healthcare. It brings services closer to individuals and families, offering timely guidance, clearer communication, and continuity of care — regardless of where people live. Telehealth helps ensure that the quality of support does not depend on proximity to larger hospitals. In many ways, it shifts the centre of healthcare from facilities to the people themselves — and that is the transformation that matters most.

To fully realise the potential of telehealth, strong and coherent policies, regulations and guidelines are essential.
This includes defining telehealth services and providers, ensuring robust data privacy and cybersecurity, and establishing sustainable payment and reimbursement mechanisms — including within health insurance — so that telehealth can be scaled and maintained over time.

Infrastructure and interoperability are also critical. Telehealth depends on reliable connectivity, digital platforms that integrate with national health information systems, and adequate IT equipment at local facilities.
Capacity-building remains central. Telehealth is not only about technology; it also requires adapting clinical practice, consultation processes and communication skills to virtual environments.
Finally, monitoring and evaluation systems are needed to measure effectiveness, guide improvement, and demonstrate value for both patients and the health system.

Excellencies, colleagues,
Viet Nam has made remarkable progress in telehealth in a short period of time. The country’s commitment to digital health and equitable service delivery is clear, and the results are already visible across provinces.
As Viet Nam moves into the next phase, learning from global experiences — including Korea’s leadership in digital health and innovation — will be invaluable in shaping pathways for long-term telehealth policy and implementation.
Today's workshop is an opportunity to deepen technical exchange, identify practical solutions, and chart a clear and sustainable direction for telehealth that is safe, inclusive, and aligned with national priorities.
Together, we can ensure that telehealth continues to support stronger equity, better service continuity, and higher-quality care for communities and healthcare workers across Viet Nam.
Thank you.