Unit Name: Department – Faculty of Medical Microbiology (CM7).
Formation History: Established on June 2, 1962.
Contact Information: Department – Faculty of Medical Microbiology, Military Hospital 103, 261 Phung Hung, Phuc La, Ha Dong, Hanoi.
Phone: 0982040796 Email: sonvsv@gmail.com
Function, tasks:
The Department – Faculty of Medical Microbiology serves both as a department of the Vietnam Military Medical University with the functions of teaching and research, and as a diagnostic department of Military Hospital 103. Therefore, the unit has three functions and tasks: providing specialized training in Medical Microbiology for undergraduate and postgraduate students, conducting diagnostic tests for treatment, and conducting scientific research to support teaching and treatment. Due to the specific nature of the field, The Department – Faculty also has the additional task of serving epidemic prevention, specifically identifying causes and advising on investigation and epidemic prevention activities within the military. Specifically:
Training: The Medical Microbiology Department – Faculty of Military Hospital 103 is the only unit in the military with training codes for Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Medical Microbiology. The department has been involved in training in medicine and pharmacy from the first courses of the VMMU until now, with thousands of students. Along with the country’s development and the demand for high-level training, the Unit officially opened training codes for postgraduate studies in 1992. To date, it has trained 20 Ph.D. holders and 70 Master’s degree holders in Medical Microbiology. Additionally, it provides microbiology training for many postgraduate courses, Ph.D. programs, and specialized courses in related fields.
Diagnostic Testing and Treatment Services: All personnel in Department – Faculty hold certificates in the quality management of laboratory testing from the CDC (USA), and many have received specialized training in the field of IVD (In Vitro Diagnostics) diagnosis. The department has standardized diagnostic testing services for patients and training, meeting important national and international standards as follows:

+ HIV positive confirmation laboratory.
+ Laboratory meeting ISO 15189 standards.
+ Biosafety level II laboratory.
+ Laboratory with sufficient capacity for SARS-CoV-2 testing.
Tests are conducted with reliability, stability, and high quality.

Scientific Research: The department has a long-standing tradition in research activities, and all faculty members actively participate in numerous projects at both the ministry and state levels. Every year, they guide students in conducting research projects, resulting in several awards at the Academy and Vifotex levels. The department has led two and participated in five state-level projects, led eight and participated in various ministry-level projects. Currently, the department is engaged in international collaboration with Japan to study the drug resistance of newly emerging and re-emerging infectious bacteria.
The research projects have yielded practical applications, including:
– Training numerous Ph.D. and Master’s degree holders in specialized fields through the conducted projects.
– Contributing three technical innovations and one technically innovative initiative acknowledged by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
– Developing molecular biology techniques and new identification methods for diagnostic testing in patient care.
In addition to project implementation, the department has guided multiple student groups in research, resulting in significant achievements. They have mentored 20 student groups participating in scientific research, securing three national VIFOTEC awards (one first prize, two second prizes, one third prize, and one creativity prize) and two first prizes at the Academy level.

Sharp-edge Techniques:
Several advanced techniques have been implemented, including:
– Drug resistance testing by phenotype and genotype: Collaborating with the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Japan to determine the phenotype and genotype drug resistance of newly emerging disease-causing bacteria.
– Multifactorial molecular testing: Simultaneous detection of multiple disease-causing factors in respiratory diseases, meningitis, and blood infections; Diverse diagnostic and treatment tests on the IVD system, such as quantifying HBV, HCV, HIV, and CMV loads; Detecting Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcal bacteria), Herpes simplex virus (HSV), Human papillomavirus genotype (HPV – Cervical cancer-causing virus), Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV – Acute respiratory tract infection-causing virus), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococcal bacteria); Rapid detection of RMP-resistant tuberculosis bacteria using the GeneXpert system.
– Other tests: Diagnosis of H. pylori bacteria using various methods, differentiation of strains causing gastric ulcer and non-toxic strains; QuantiFeron testing for latent tuberculosis infection diagnosis; Testing to meet the requirements of U.S. and European universities for international students.
* All tests conducted at BMK Microbiology, Hospital 103, are In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) tests. IVD is a specialized system specifically designed for medical diagnosis in humans, including the laboratory structure, machine system, and chemicals certified with international IVD certification. The results are externally verified by an international or nationally specialized agency. IVD-certified tests are designed for diagnostic purposes in humans and are rigorously validated, ensuring high reliability and stability. These tests can be interoperable with hospitals in different countries.
* Some images of techniques and activities at BMK Microbiology:
Processing SARS-CoV-2 Test Samples
Multifactorial molecular biology laboratory
Achievements:
– Five consecutive years of the Unit’s Resolute Victory (2016-2020).
– Third-class Fatherland Protection Medal, 2012.
– Commendation from the Prime Minister, 2016.
– Commendation from the Ministry of Health, 2013.
– Commendation from the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, 2014.
– Commendations from the Ministry of National Defense, 2012, 2018, 2020.”