2:40:32 PM | 3/23/2026
The Ho Chi Minh City Respiratory Society Annual Congress 2026, themed “Pioneering Science and Technology in Modern Pulmonology,” recently convened, gathering nearly 800 delegates, including respiratory specialists, internists, pediatricians, lecturers, and researchers from Vietnam and abroad. Taking place at a time when respiratory diseases continue to impose a substantial health impact on young children, older adults, and individuals with underlying medical conditions, the congress drew significant attention for its focus on practical, clinically meaningful updates in prevention, diagnosis, and disease management.
Domestic and international experts convened at the Ho Chi Minh City Respiratory Society Annual Congress 2026, contributing to clinically relevant updates in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of respiratory diseases
The congress serves as a reputable scientific forum, offering a comprehensive view of advancements in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of respiratory diseases through expert-led scientific sessions and specialized symposia.
This year’s congress provided an overview of emerging developments in respiratory care, focusing on topics such as community-acquired pneumonia, pediatric respiratory diseases, COPD, lung cancer, interstitial lung disease, as well as advances in diagnostic imaging, AI applications, and patient management in intensive care settings. In addition to pneumococcal disease, RSV, influenza, and adenovirus, the scientific sessions also covered a range of other respiratory pathogens - including atypical bacteria, fungi (Aspergillus, Candida auris), and other common respiratory viruses affecting both children and adults.
At the event, Pfizer Vietnam participated as a scientific supporter to help facilitate professional exchange and clinical practice updates for healthcare professionals. Supporting academic and scientific forums forms part of Pfizer’s long‑term commitment to improving access to scientific knowledge and contributing to enhanced respiratory disease management capacity in Vietnam.
Notable scientific discussions on pneumococcal disease and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – two respiratory pathogens of particular relevance in children and older adults.
According to the Ministry of Health’s National Plan for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control 2026, pneumococcal disease and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are among the respiratory conditions expected to increase, particularly among young children and older adults - the high-risk groups.
Among these, pneumococcal pneumonia is a common respiratory disease that deserves attention in high-risk groups such as young children, older adults, and individuals with underlying medical conditions, This disease not only affects health but can also prolong the recovery process, disrupting the patient's usual daily activities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that pneumococcus causes approximately 1.6 million deaths annually, including 0.7–1 million deaths among children under five. In Vietnam, pneumococcus continues to be the leading cause of community‑acquired pneumonia.
Common chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, and immunocompromised states significantly heighten susceptibility to severe respiratory infections. This challenge is particularly pronounced in Vietnam, where 87.7% of older adults live with at least one chronic illness.
As Vietnam is among the most rapidly ageing countries globally, overlapping illnesses can create a “double burden” on both patients and the healthcare system.
Other factors such as smoking, alcohol use, and chronic liver disease further increase the risk and severity of respiratory conditions in adults.
Besides Streptococcus pneumoniae, experts also noted RSV - a noteworthy cause of respiratory disease for children and elderly persons.
Recent CDC data (October 2024 - May 2025) show that RSV was associated with an estimated 3.6 - 6.5 million outpatient visits, 190,000 - 350,000 hospitalizations, and 10,000 - 23,000 deaths, with the highest hospitalization rates occurring in adults over 75 and infants from 0 - 11 months. In Vietnam, RSV‑related acute respiratory infections are projected to reach nearly 4.5 million cases between 2020 and 2025.
In response to this situation, experts at the congress shared observations on disease risk and epidemiological characteristics among infants, older adults, and individuals with underlying conditions. These discussions provided practical insights into identifying high-risk groups in clinical practice and highlighted the real-world impact of respiratory diseases on community health.
Prof. Dr. Pinyo Rattanaumpawan, MD, Professor of Medicine, Director of Clinical Trials Unit, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand shared:
“Real‑world evidence from Thailand shows that pneumococcal disease in older adults is far more common and often underrecognized, particularly among those with chronic conditions. This challenge is not unique to Thailand - it reflects a broader trend across many Asian countries, including Vietnam, where rapid population ageing and a rising burden of comorbidities are shaping the landscape of respiratory health. Sharing regional insights between countries like Thailand and Vietnam is essential to improving early identification of high‑risk groups and strengthening protection strategies for older adults in our region.”
Prof. Dr. Pinyo Rattanaumpawan, Professor of Medicine, Director of Clinical Trials Unit, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand shared at the congress on the burden of pneumococcal disease in older adults and the importance of early identification of high-risk groups in the region
Strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration in respiratory disease prevention and management
Strengthening prevention and updating clinical approaches are seen by experts as key directions in modern respiratory care. Discussions at the congress provided practical insights into identifying high-risk groups and highlighted the real-world impact of respiratory diseases on community health. At the congress, experts noted that modern respiratory care requires a holistic approach - going beyond episodic treatment to early risk identification across all age groups. Scientific forums such as this congress play a vital role in linking new evidence with everyday clinical practice.
To support the effective implementation of these professional directions, mobilizing socialized resources is an essential requirement. This direction is also consistent with the policy of Resolution No. 282/NQ-CP on strongly promoting the participation of the private economic sector, mobilizing social resources in the work of people's healthcare.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Van Ngoc, President of the Ho Chi Minh City Respiratory Society, shared: “The Annual Congress provides an important opportunity for experts and healthcare professionals to update scientific advances and share practical experience in managing respiratory diseases. We greatly appreciate the partnership and support that help advance scientific activities and professional development, ultimately strengthening respiratory healthcare capacity for the community.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Van Ngoc, President of the Ho Chi Minh City Respiratory Society shared at the Ho Chi Minh City Respiratory Society Annual Congress 2026 on the role of mobilizing societal resources in supporting scientific activities and strengthening respiratory healthcare capacity for the community
The proactive multilateral partnership between organizations, medical facilities, and partners in the healthcare field is expected to create a sustainable scientific exchange environment, contributing to improving the effectiveness of community respiratory health protection in the future. The congress this year once again reaffirmed the role of scientific forums in advancing medical progress and disseminating professional knowledge to healthcare professionals.
Source: Vietnam Business Forum
Vietnamese
