Bach Mai, Viet Duc hospitals' second facilities to open by Nov. 30

The Government Office on July 21 issued Notice No. 378/TB-VPCP on a conclusion by Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long following his inspection at construction sites of the second campuses of Bach Mai Hospital and Viet Duc Friendship Hospital in the former province of Ha Nam (now Ninh Binh province), affirming his directive which mandates that the two facilities be fully operational by November 30, 2025.

The order aims to address urgent public healthcare needs, prevent the waste of state investment, and significantly reduce chronic overcrowding at the two leading hospitals' main facilities in Hanoi.

The Deputy PM has called on the Ministry of Health, the project management boards, contractors, and all relevant agencies to demonstrate greater determination and proactivity. He urged them to "concentrate all intelligence and resources" and implement "synchronized, decisive, and effective" solutions to meet the 2025 deadline.

Additionally, the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee has been tasked with coordinating closely with the Ministry of Health and the two hospitals to prepare adequate housing for doctors, nurses, and staff who will work at the new campuses, ensuring all necessary conditions are in place for a smooth and efficient launch upon completion.

According to reports from domestic media, each of the two facilities had been projected to have 1,000 beds with an investment capital estimated at nearly VND5 trillion (more than $191 million). Their construction started in 2014 and scheduled for completion by 2017, but has been cancelled since January 1, 2021.

Previously, the Government Inspectorate found numerous violations during the construction of the two facilities. These violations involved bidding, construction, and other related regulations across almost all stages of the projects. As a result, both projects were delayed by over seven years, underwent two extensions, and ultimately failed to meet their intended goals. The projects were deemed inefficient and caused big waste.

Later, on July 7, the Police Department for Corruption, Smuggling and Economic Crimes (C03) under the Ministry of Public Security  announced  that it has launched legal proceedings against five individials involving the construction of the two facilities. According to a representative of C03, the five defendants’ actions caused losses totalling VND80 billion (over $3 million) and led to a waste of VND762 billion (over $29 million). The department is expanding the investigation to clarify violations and ensure thorough handling of the case.

Earlier, the Government issued Resolution No.34/NQ-CP which took effect on February 13, 2025, aiming at removing all difficulties and obstacles that have hindered the completion progress of the two delayed facilities.