Doctor Performs CPR on Collapsed Passenger at Vietnam Airport

Photo courtesy of VN Express

A Vietnamese doctor saved a man's life at Cat Bi International Airport on April 16. Le Thi Ngoc, 43, director of Phuong Hoang Son Traditional Medicine Clinic, performed CPR on a 27-year-old man who collapsed. She administered chest compressions for about 15 minutes until airport medics arrived and transported him to a hospital.

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The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m., when Ngoc heard passengers shouting for help. She found the man near the airport's main entrance in visible distress, with no signs of effective breathing. Ngoc first tried an acupuncture technique to revive him, but ultimately resorted to performing CPR due to the urgency.

Ngoc’s immediate response was crucial in stabilizing the man’s condition. Her actions ensured he regained circulation and consciousness before the medical team took over. The quick intervention highlights the critical nature of timely CPR, as cardiac arrest survival decreases by 7-10% per minute without it.

"In my mind there was only one thought: I had to save this person within the golden window," Ngoc said. Her decision to act quickly underscores the importance of bystander CPR, often doubling or tripling survival odds during out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

Looking forward, awareness and training in emergency response can further improve survival rates. It remains vital for bystanders to be prepared, as timely interventions can prevent permanent damage or fatality.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · VN Express · 23 Apr 2026