1. Unit Leadership
Dean of Department, Deputy Secretary of the Party: Colonel, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Ngoc Anh
Vice Dean of Department, Secretary of the Party: Senior Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Dang Tien Truong
2. Unit History
On March 10, 1949, the Viet Bac Military Medical School was established in Tuần Lũng Village, Hoàng Hoa Commune, Tam Dương District, Vĩnh Phúc Province. On August 15, 1956, the Anatomy Department was founded, with the first department dean being Prof. Đỗ Xuân Hợp.
In 1951, Professor Đỗ Xuân Hợp officially assumed the role of the Principal of the Military Medical School and concurrently served as the chief lecturer in anatomy. He had been in charge since 1932 at the Hanoi Medical University. The decision to teach in the mother tongue paved the way for the subsequent dissemination of scientific knowledge to the sons and daughters of farmers, aligning with the government’s goal of promoting universal education. During the years 1950-1952, the second, third, and fourth classes of military medical students were recruited. An increasing number of military nurses with achievements were summoned. By the fourth class, all students were military personnel called back for cultural enrichment and professional training. The anatomy curriculum was continually improved, always linked to the living body, with a focus on the functions and practical aspects of both internal and external medicine. Anatomy practicals were conducted in the jungle, and bone collection took place in cemeteries. During this period, student Nguyen Huu Mo and Nguyen Huy Phan were assigned to assist in the anatomy department.
In 1955, after the victory over the French colonialists and the liberation of half of the country, the Military Medical School moved its operations to Hanoi. The fifth class of medical students consisted of 295 comrades, all of whom were military nurses and soldiers with combat achievements. Prof. Đỗ Xuân Hợp was sent abroad to observe the organization and leadership of a revolutionary and modern military medical school. Comrades Nguyen Huy Phan, Le Cao Dai, Nguyen Huu Mo, Pham Van Phuc, Hoang Ba Hai, and Trinh Van Luan took turns to give anatomy lectures. The school had also collaborated with the Hanoi Medical University’s Anatomy Institute to facilitate practical training on cadavers and anatomical specimens for students. During this period (1949-1956), the department had taught five classes with 693 students and 1,440 lectures.
Two years after the victory over the French colonialists and the return to Hanoi, in 1956, the Military Medical School was officially established. While waiting to determine the location for building the school, the entire cadre of officers and teachers operated in Hanoi at a private hospital on Ly Thuong Kiet Street and a collective residence at 10 Chương Dương Street near the river (3/1957). A provisional cadre of teachers for the anatomy department was appointed, including comrades Trinh Van Luan, senior nurse, and comrades Nguyen Dinh Hieu, Tran Ngoc Lien, Do Van Giai, and Nguyen Van Si as teaching assistants. In addition, doctors Le Cao Dai, Pham Van Phuc, and Hoang Ba Hai stayed to help build the department while waiting for new assignments.
This period marked the beginning of the department’s development. The entire department focused on two main tasks: learning and research. Self-study among the teaching staff was promoted to nurture and enhance the quality of teaching. All teachers studied Professor Đỗ Xuân Hợp’s anatomy textbooks to strengthen their knowledge. Additionally, teachers who knew French consulted foreign anatomical materials such as Rouvière, Testut, Grégoire, Oberlin, Sarroste Canrillon, and others to prepare anatomy lectures. They combined reading these materials with dissection of cadavers. For the first time, the department dissected ligaments to create practical training specimens for students in 1960. Moreover, the department dissected the nervous system bundles. The department also applied various techniques for creating anatomical specimens, such as bone preparation, bone bleaching, skull separation, corrosion preparation, lung section staining, central nervous system staining, elastic fiber staining, and transparent specimen preparation.
From the period of transitioning to the Military Medical University until now, to adapt to the new task of building modern military schools within the military, the Military Medical School officially transformed into the Military Medical University with new responsibilities:
– Training regular military doctors (6-year program).
– Training postgraduate military personnel (specialist physicians, Level I and Level II specialists, master’s, and doctorate degrees).
– Scientific research in general medicine and military medicine.
The department has consistently trained a large number of students, with annual training for 32-39 university students and postgraduates, with a total of 4,985 to approximately 7,000 standard hours; an average of 870-1,562 standard hours per instructor per year, which is often 3 to 5.5 times the standard set by regulations. For postgraduate teaching, the department has trained 36 Master’s students, 4 resident physicians, and 39 research students. The department has multiple faculty members who have been awarded the titles of Professor (7 comrades) and Associate Professor (2 comrades). In terms of academic qualifications, the department has 11 Ph.D. holders, 2 Master’s degree holders, 2 Level II specialists, and 5 Level I specialists. Several individuals have received the titles of Excellent Doctor (1 comrade) and People’s Doctor (2 comrades) from the state and have been recognized by the Ministry of National Defense as outstanding teachers (5 times for 3 comrades). Many faculty members were trained in the department, and after receiving new assignments, they held important positions in various healthcare organizations.
In addition, the department always emphasizes building a strong and clean party cell, combining comprehensive unit development, and implementing effectively the resolutions and directives of the Party and the authorities at all levels. One hundred percent of the department’s officers, party members, and the public are highly unanimous and strictly adhere to the Party’s policies, state regulations, and military discipline. They actively participate in annual political and ideological education and annual planning in accordance with the regulations. Democratic regulations are well maintained and consistently executed openly and fairly. The internal solidarity is strong, with comrades respecting and cooperating to help each other based on the comradely spirit and unity.

The department always does a vast amount of training, annually trains 32-39 classes of university students and postgraduates with the training periods from 4,985 to nearly 7,000 standard periods; average 870-1,562 standard periods /1 lecturer/year, 3 to 5.5 times more than the specified norms of Ministry of Education and Training. In term of postgraduate training, the department trained 36 classes at master-degree level, 4 resident doctors and 39 research students. The department also has may cadres who were given the title of Professor (7 ones) và Associate Professor (2 ones). Academically, the department has 11 Ph.D, 2 Masters, 2 level-II medical specialists and 5 level-I medical specialists. Many cadres were given the title of Excellent Doctor (1 cadre), People’s Doctor (2 cadres) by the State and were recognized as Ministry-level Good Teacher by Ministry of Defence (5 times / 3 cadres). Many cadres who were trained in the department have hold different important positions in medical agencies.
Besides, the party cell always focuses on building a powerful and spotless one as well as an absolutely powerful unit, effectively implementing the resolutions and instructions of the Party and all-level authorities. 100% of cadres, , party members, people agree and follow the policies of the Party and the State as well as the disciplines of the Army. All of the department participate in annually learning and writing political reports according to the regulations. The democratic regulations are always implemented publicly and fairly. The people of the department unite, respect cooperate and help each other on the basis of comradeship.
3. Function, mission
3.1. Position, function
a) Position: Department of Anatomy belongs to Vietnam Military Medical University, under the direction of VMMU Party Committee and the management of VMMU Director in all aspects.
b) Function: Department of Anatomy has the main functions as the followings:
– Training the cadets at all levels about basic and advanced anatomy.
– Implementing scientific research of medicine and military medicine. Doing scientific research basis for Macroscopic Anatomy, Microscopic Anatomy, ultramicroscopic anatomy and anthropology.
3.2. Mission, power
a) Education and Training
– Based on the instructions, resolutions, orders and training regulations of the superiors, the Resolution of VMMU’s Party Committee, the Order of VMMU Director to ensure theoretical training and basic and advanced anatomy for the cadets and postgraduate students.
– Participate in training medical staff of the lower levels and other units when required
– Compile documents and textbooks for training.
b) Scientific research
–Develop and propose plans and ideas for research on Macroscopic Anatomy, Microscopic Anatomy, ultramicroscopic anatomy and anthropology
– Manage and organize the implementation of the assigned research projects.
– Coordinate to participate in research according to the instructions and orders of the superiors and according to the agreement with other units.
c) Treatment
Coordinate to participate in treatment according to the instructions and orders of the superiors and according to the agreement with other units
3.3. Working relationship
a) The relationship with VMMU Party Committee and VMMU Director is complying with orders and directions.
Department of Anatomy strictly abide by the resolutions, directives and orders of VMMU Party Committee and the Director; it is responsible for timely execution and report when assigned the task directly.
b) The relationship with authorized departments of VMMU is complying with professional management and cooperation.
Department of Anatomy is under the professional management of other authorized departments in order to operate rightly according commands, charter, law.
Department of Anatomy cooperates with other departments that instruct, facilitate and provide essential equipment to complete the assigned tasks.
Department of Anatomy proactively proposes and coordinates with professional departments such as departments of training, postgraduate and research to build and complete the program framework, content and specific training schedule in training and scientific research.
c) The relationship with other departments in VMMU is the working cooperation.
Department of Anatomy regularly coordinates, closely combines with other units in VMMU to implement resolutions and directives of the superiors and perform tasks under the own agreement between the two units to serve the purpose of training, research.
4. List of lecturers
No. Full name Academic title
1 Trần Ngọc Anh Associate professor, Ph.D
2 Đặng Tiến Trường Ph.D
3 Nguyễn Duy Bắc Professor, Ph.D
4 Tống Quốc Đông Ph.D
5 Nguyễn Minh Tùng Ph.D
6 Nguyễn Trung Hưng Master
7 Hồ Trường Giang Bachelor
8 Đặng Xuân Kiên Ph.D
9 Nguyễn Minh Tâm Master
10 Nguyễn Văn Điều Master
11 Ngô Văn Nhật Minh Resident doctor
5. Typical achievements
– The title of Hero of the People’s Armed Forces due to outstanding achievements in the resistance war against the US to save the country (2014)
– Second -class Victory Medal due to excellent achievements in service of combat and production (1979)
– The third -class national defense medal due to outstanding achievements in training, serving combat, building a People’s Army force, consolidating defense from 2006 to 2010, contributing to the construction of socialism and national defense.
– 04 times to receive the emulation flag (01 by the President, 03 by the Ministry of Defense).
– 02 certificates of merit awarded by the Ministry of Defense (2015, 2016).
6. Contact
– Department of Anatomy – Vietnam Military Medical University – 160 Phung Hưng – Phuc La – Ha Đong – Hanoi.
– Tel: 0695 66100