Ever since the foundation of Vietnam Military Medical School (1949), scientific and technological research activities have been identified as an essential objective by the Heads of School.

During the resistance against the US, research was still sustained and routinely supervised to maintain quality and course of action. Numerous research topics had been successfully established and applied, contributing to the assurance of the welfare of the military and treatment of casualties when the US installed then modern warfare weaponry and transportation into Vietnam. During the 4-year period from 1965 to 1968, the School carried out almost 170 research topics and completed 84% of topics in accordance with the intended time frame, with 60% having undergone implementation for practical usage.

The country unified as one and stepped into an era of change. Scientific research was guided towards advanced high-skilled engineering, collaboration between multiple departments, and the exchange of scientific engineering with allied units, etc.

Towards the XXI century, scientific research conducted by the Academy has been reinstated and approaching overall development. Research has had a major impact on treatment application, clinics and the training of researchers for the Academy as well as the field of military medicine. The Academy places importance on the application and development of advanced engineering, science, and technology in the Military medicine and pharmaceutical fields in order to create products with the scientific and technological calibre to leading countries withing the ASEAN group. Importance is also placed on some fields achieving the capabilities of elite countries in the world to enhance the quality of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Fields of research of the Academy have established and reaped benefits such as:

– Developing advanced engineering, science and technology in the Military medicine field: Research on dioxin, guaranteeing the health of soldiers from military branches, especially soldiers who work with state-of-the-art military transport such as the Su-30 fighter aircraft, Flakpanzer Gepard, Kilo-class submarine…Research on the guarantee of soldiers’ health under extreme circumstances or studies into soldiers’ mental well-being…

– The first unit ever to carry out 5 organ transplants on humans in Vietnam: The first of which was a liver transplant in January 2004, the patient went on to live for almost 20 years. The collaborative work of organ transplant of the Military Medical Academy has been awarded the Ho Chi Minh award for Science and technology. In 2010, a heart transplant was awarded the Labour Medal of 2^nd class by the Prime Minister. 1 March 2014 saw a kidney transplant from a cerebrum failure donor. 21 Freburary 2017 saw a lung transplant from a living donor while 31 October 2017 saw the first ever lung transplant in Vietnam conducted by the Military Medical Academy. In 2017, in celebration of the 25^th anniversary of Vietnam’s organ transplant, Vietnam Institute of Organ transplant honored the Military Medical Academy, Medical Military Hospital 103 and 5 individuals with the Award of Confirmation and Vietnam Record icon.

– Angioplasty and stent insertion: Within the past 10 years, most stent insertion techniques implemented in Vietnam have been conducted by Military Medical 103. Notably, stent insertion in cardiovascular diseases have made great leaps comparable to neighboring countries and the global landscape.

– Research into stem cell application: In 2010, Le Huu Trac National Institute of Burns successfully conducted  Epithelial stem cells and Mesenchymal stem cells differentiation from umbilical cord membrane into skin cells and create skin-equivalent materials to apply for skin wounds treatment. From this research, scientist from the hospital has extended its application to Adipose-derived stem cells for treatment of chronic wounds. Furthermore, Military Medical Hospital 103 has conducted the application of Adipose-derived stem cells into the treatment for degenerative arthritis clinically. In recent years, the Academy has continued stem cell application research  in treatments that fail to or poorly meet the demands of traditional forms of treatment. Typically, this is applied in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

– Biological technology: There have been developmental steps in recent times, constituting to bringing Vietnam’s medicine to a global level. Some outstanding results include the application of molecular biology techniques in irregularities diagnosis of feti, genetic disorders and carcinomas. Success in these scientific research projects has brought happiness to many families, with many babies being born due to intrauterine insemination.

– Constructing and applying medical procedures for the prevention of new diseases, emerging and recurring infectious diseases: Military Medical Academy has conducted research into and successfully created diagnostic biological kits for pathogens endangering primary healthcare and military medical unit. With Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), the Academy has developed quick and exact diagnosis, a portable device capable of diagnosing O. Tsutsugamushi, Streptococcus suis, Neisseria meningitidis, and spirillum causing Leptospirosis.

The Military Medical Academy also researches into the production of healthcare products serving the army and the people with equivalent quality to products imported from top medical countries in the world.

– Invention and solution activities have also been points of contention. Over the past 75 years, the Academy has had tens of patents and useful solutions.

– Young staff and students have always been encouraged to engage in science and technology activities. There have been hundreds of years of precedent for topics by staff, lecturers, students, and participants to win prizes and receive praise. The Academy is constantly among the top schools of the nation to achieve highest honors when participating in competitions and conventions on Science and Technology and has been awarded with merit from the Department of Defense, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Education and Training.

– The collaborative efforts of research and technical exchange with units domestically and internationally have also been encouraged. Up till this point, the Military Medical Academy has signed collaborative agreements with many countries worldwide and from 2020, they will be participating in the peacekeeping of the United Nations. Vietnam’s participation in the peacekeeping endeavour of the United Nations has been and is currently recording its impact, contributing to the spread the peace-loving nature of Vietnam’s image and its people to the eyes of international friends.

– Essence has always been placed upon Information Technology. Many software systems have been effectively applied at the Academy with the purpose of serving training management and executive command: multiple-choice testing system, credit-based system of education and training, test material provision system, software for contests, seminars, e-learning, online learning in defense of Covid-19, etc.

With those achievements, the Military Medical Academy has received the honor of being recognized by the Party, Government, Ministries, Departments, and Sectors and awarded an abundance of highly prestigious awards such as: the Unit thrice receiving the Hero of the People’s Armed Forces, twice receiving Ho Chi Minh medal; Golden star medal, First, Second, and Third Class Labor Medals; First Class War man Medal, the Ho Chi Minh award, First Class Independence Medal, etc. The unit has received over  50 various Medals; many units, mass organizations received Honorary Flags of the Department of Defense and the General Political Department of the People’s Army of Vietnam, merits from the Government and from Ministries and Sectors within and outside of the Army.