1. Leaders of the Institute
Director of the Military Institute of Clinical Embryology and Histology: Colonel, Assoc. Prof. Dr., Second Degree Specialist, ‘Distinguished Physician’ entitled, Trinh The Son.
Deputy Director of the Military Institute of Clinical Embryology and Histology, Vice Dean of the Department of Embryology and Histology: Colonel, Dr., Second Degree Specialist, Nguyen Thanh Tung.
Deputy Director of the Military Institute of Clinical Embryology and Histology, Vice Dean of the Department of Embryology and Histology: Colonel, Dr., Second Degree Specialist, Doan Thi Hang.
Dean of the Department of Embryology and Histology: Colonel, Assoc. Prof. Dr., Second Degree Specialist, ‘Distinguished Physician’ entitled, Quan Hoang Lam.
2. Tradition of the Institute
The Military Institute of Clinical Embryology and Histology, formerly known as the Department of Organization Studies, was established on April 27, 1968, under the leadership of Captain Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Hien, who served as its Dean.
Following its establishment, the Department of Organization Studies, later renamed as the Department of Embryology and Histology, along with other departments at the Military Medical University, embarked on the development of educational programs and facilities. They did this with a small group of instructors, initially comprising only two doctors. The curriculum, the first of its kind in Vietnamese, was compiled from foreign documents and adapted to transmit knowledge to generations of students.
In rustic bamboo-roofed classrooms, teachers conducted hands-on embryo practice with their students in makeshift shacks or partially submerged lecture halls, which were situated along the banks of the Nhue River. The atmosphere of learning and research was vibrant, with activity happening around the clock.
In early 1972, during the intense B-52 airstrikes by the United States in Hanoi, the department had to evacuate once more along with the university. Some of the department members were assigned to guide students’ courses in providing medical care to wounded soldiers in the fire lines …

The results of this research enabled Vietnamese delegates to denounce the war crimes of US imperialism in a number of international conferences… From the findings on drugs to treat patients with radiation sickness, the Department successfully researched the cancer treatment supplementary drug named Phylamin. The product was then circulated by the Ministry of Health and granted a patent by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment. The Central Pharmaceutical Company I produced millions of pills to provide for patients, and during this time, the scientific research work had also been proposed. The Department focused on researching and applying common types of specimens as well as special ones, including nervous tissue components, epithelial cell types, endocrine organs, embryo specimens, and other specimens, histo-chemistry such as glycogen staining, DNA, RNA, fat, phosphatase… Thanks to that, from the early 1970s onwards, the Department had completely used self-made specimens for training purposes. As a result, the Department was rewarded by the University. Since 1971, the Department has participated in a number of military medical research projects, especially studying the effects of 2.4.5T poison on the development of animal embryos. The results of this research have joined the effort of our diplomatic corps in denouncing the war crimes of US imperialism at many international conferences.
Upon the unification of the country, our Army has gradually entered into formal construction. Along with the rapid growth of the Vietnam Military Medical University, the Department is also facing new development-related challenges. From the mid-1980s until now, during the country’s economic reforms known as Doi Moi, the training requirements for military medical officers have become increasingly higher and more specialized. In addition to long-term and specialized Doctor classes, the Department has focused a lot of its effort on training Specialty courses I and II, Master’s and PhD courses, and training for Masters and Doctoral degrees. In particular, the Ministry of Education and Training has decided to allow the Department to conduct PhD training in the field of Embryonic Tissue.
The Department has also organized junior doctor training courses to provide medical personnel for the military and health sector. In addition, the Department also supports a number of universities, colleges, and medical schools such as Nam Dinh Medical College, Bac Thai Medical University, Military Medical High School I… in training staff with specialization in histology.
Due to the general development of VMMU and the needs of examination and treatment for soldiers and civilians, based on the Embryology Technology Project for the period 1998-2001 of the National Committee for Population, Family and Children and at the request of VMMU, the Minister of Health issued Decision No. 3178/2001/QD-BYT dated July 24, 2001 on “Implementing in vitro fertilization techniques for the treatment of infertility for soldiers and local residents”. After that, the Ministry of Health allowed the continuation of phase 2 implementation of this project with the following goals: Providing examination, screening, prescription and consultation for couples indicated for infertility treatment using in vitro fertilization techniques; monitoring the development of ovarian follicles and oocyte retrieval to ensure safety; demonstrating techniques for retrieving sperm, filtering and washing sperm, storing and preserving sperm for in vitro fertilization; performing the technique of creating in vitro embryos and transferring embryos to the uterus; monitoring embryo development and providing consultation for pregnant women; monitoring and evaluating the results of in vitro fertilization techniques according to professional indicators. As a result, it has become the third center in the country to successfully implement in vitro fertilization technique (IVF), with the first IVF baby being born in 2002.
With the development of the Department in the field of reproductive support, and the recognition from the Party, State and Army, on February 15, 2005, the Ministry of National Defense issued Decision No. 148/QD-TM officially upgrading the Department into an Embryonic Technology Research and Training Center. Colonel, Prof. Tran Van Hanh served as Center Director until 2008 and then handed over to Colonel, Assoc. Prof. Quan Hoang Lam. Colonel, Prof. Nguyen Dinh Tao was Deputy Director of the Center until 2016, and Senior Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tung was appointed Deputy Director of the Center.
This is also the first Center of the Army with the task of training and educating general doctors specializing in embryo tissue, researching issues related to embryo tissue as well as examining, consulting and treating infertility for women, soldiers and civilians. The center has been equipped with modern laboratories and medical equipment. On average, each year the Center has examined and treated thousands of infertile couples.
Other achievements include the birth of the first baby using PESA/ICSI technique in 2005, and the first baby being born from frozen embryos. In 2007, the sperm culture was applied; In 2012 the first baby was born using the Micro Tese technique; In 2015, the first healthy baby was born with pre-implantation embryo diagnostic techniques and genetic diagnosis of single-gene diseases, helping couples carrying rare disease genes have the opportunity to give birth to healthy babies. With many achievements of the Centre and based on the increasing requirements and demands, the Ministry of National Defense has decided to upgrade the Embryonic Technology Research Training Center into the Military Clinical Embryological Tissue Institute with a new regime and new tasks according to Decision No. 1441/QD-TM dated September 26, 2017 of the General Staff. The functions and tasks of the Military Clinical Embryological Tissue Institute include training undergraduate and postgraduate students in the field of Embryonic Tissue, conducting scientific research on embryonic tissue, as well as providing examination, consultation, and treatment of infertility for soldiers and civilians.
The Institute’s Board of Directors was consolidated with 03 members, including Colonel, Assoc. Prof. Quan Hoang Lam as the Director. The two Deputy Directors are Colonel, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tung and Lieutenant Colonel, Assoc. Prof. Trinh The Son.
During this period, in terms of treatment of infertility, the Institute has routinely deployed techniques such as sperm collection from the epididymis, sperm collection from testicles by microsurgery (microTESE), storage of sperms, embryos and oocyte, artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization with absolute safety. Genetic testing techniques before embryo transfer are also applied to screen for single-gene genetic diseases such as Thalassemia, Hemophilia, Spinal muscular atrophy, Duchen muscular dystrophy… for hundreds of patients. To date, there have been over 10,000 babies born using assisted reproductive methods, of which 5,000 were born from in vitro fertilization (IVF).
In September 2021, the Ministry of National Defense appointed Lieutenant Colonel, Assoc. Prof. Trinh The Son as Director of the Institute, while Colonel, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tung continued to hold the position of Deputy Director. In July 2022, Lieutenant Colonel, PhD. Doan Thi Hang was appointed as Deputy Director.
Since January 1, 2023, the Military Clinical Embryo Tissue Institute has deployed independent accounting and carried out the functions and tasks of a level-4 budgeting unit, aiming to effectively promote the existing resources of the Army to carry out political and other tasks, and be proactive in promptly providing drugs, chemicals, and consumable supplies for medical examination and treatment. In addition, with the assistance from the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, the Party Committee, and the Board of Directors of VMMU, the project “Investment in the development of the Military Clinical Embryo Tissue Institute” on a 2.1-hectare land plot is underway, with step-by-step implementation.
3. Functions and missions
According to Decision No. 1441/QD-TM dated September 26, 2017 of the General Staff, the functions and missions of the Military Clinical Embryo Tissue Institute are as follows:
– Providing undergraduate and postgraduate training and education in the field of Embryonic Tissue
– Conducting scientific research on Embryonic Tissue
– Providing examination, consultation, and treatment of infertility for soldiers and civilians.
4. List of lecturers
Order as Academic title, Degree, Full name, Year of birth, Gender, Position
1. Assoc. Prof, Dr. Trinh The Son, 1973, Male, Embryology Lecturer
2. Assoc. Prof, Dr. Quan Hoang Lam, 1967, Male, Embryology Lecturer
3. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tung, 1970, Male, Embryology Lecturer
4. Dr. Trinh Quoc Thanh, 1970, Male, Embryology Lecturer
5. Dr. Doan Thi Hang, 1975, Female, Embryology Lecturer
6. Dr. Duong Dinh Hieu, 1976, Male, Embryology Lecturer
7. MA. Nguyen Thi Thuc Anh, 1981, Female, Embryology Lecturer
8. MA. Le Thanh Huyen, 1982, Female, Embryology Lecturer
9. MA. Nguyen Ngoc Diep, 1987, Female, Embryology Lecturer
10. MA, Le Phuc Linh, 1987, Male, Embryology Teaching assistant
11. MA, Pham Van Quyet, 1986, Male, Embryology Teaching assistant
12. MA. Do Ngoc Lan, 1987, Female, Embryology Teaching Assistant
13. Medical Specialist, Resident Doctor Hoang Van Ai, 1994, Male, Embryology
Teaching Assistant
5. Outstanding achievements
Victory Medal, Third Class
Fatherland Defense Order, Third Class
Fatherland Defense Order, Second Class
Certificate of Merit from Prime Minister, 2002
Certificate of Merit from Prime Minister, 2018
Certificate of Merit from Minister of National Defense, 2002

5. Outstanding achievements:
Third Class Victory Medal
Third Class Fatherland Defense Medal
Second Class Fatherland Defense Medal,
Certificate of Merit of the Prime Minister in 2002
Certificate of Merit of the Prime Minister in 2018
Certificate of Merit of the Minister of Defense in 2002
Certificate of Merit of the Minister of Defense in 2009
Certificate of Merit of the Minister of Defense in 2010
Certificate of Merit of the Minister of Defense in 2016
Certificate of Merit of the Minister of Health in 2002, 2010
The Central Military Commission awarded the flag ” To build a clean and strong political, ideological, and organizational Party from 2005 to 2010″
The title of Decisive Winning unit for 18 out of 44 years, including 5 consecutive years in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.
Vietnam Military Medical Academy awarded the flag “The leading unit the emulation movement in 2009”.
VIFOTEC The Viet Nam Science and Technology Innovation Awards in 2014 for “Research on the process of cultivating and differentiating spermatogenic stem cells to treat male infertility”
Silver Award for International Scientific Innovation was held in Seoul 2013 for “Research on the process of cultivating and differentiating spermatogenic stem cells to treat male infertility”.
The title of “10 Vietnamese science and technology events in 2008” for the first sperm cultured baby born at the Center in December 2007.
The patent certificate on “Method for isolating spermatogenic stem cells from seminiferous tubules of testicles” in 2014.
The patent certificate on “ Useful solution for spinal muscular atrophy screening process from in vitro fertilization embryos” in 2018.
The patent certificate on “Useful solution for culturing embryos and recovering DNA from embryos for non-invasive genetic screening” in 2022.
VIFOTEC The Viet Nam Science and Technology Innovation Awards in 2017 for “Research on genetic diagnosis process before embryo transfer”.
6. Contact information:
Address: Military Institute of Clinical Embryology and Histology, Vietnam Military Medical University (VMMU), 222 Phung Hung Road, Ha Dong district, Ha Noi, Viet Nam.
Phone number: 024 6329 6588
Email: vienmplsqd@vmmu.edu.vn
Website: vienmophoi.hocvienquany.edu.vn