French Ambassador to Vietnam Jean-Francoir Blarel and President of Alain Carpenter Agency Professor Alain Carpenter on February 20 presented the French National Order of Merit to two Vietnamese cardiologists for their contributions to France - Vietnam healthcare co-operation.

They are doctor Duong Quang Trung, co-founder of the Ho Chi Minh City Heart Institute (together with Prof. Alain Carpenter), and Nguyen Ngoc Chieu, Director of the institute.

Healthcare co-operation between the two countries has developed well in recent years. Hospitals in the two countries have developed 20 projects, mostly focusing on refurbishing equipment, training specialists and enhancing hospital management skills.

France’s National HIV and Hepatitis B Research Agency has granted 950,000 euros for HIV and Hepatitis B research projects in Vietnam. Since 2003, France has developed ESTHER programme worth 2.5 million euros to help Vietnam care for HIV patients in Hanoi, Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City.

In addition, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and Pasteur Institutes in Vietnam have also co-operated closely with the French Development Agency in conducting research projects, particularly on bird flu and SARS infections.