HCMC hospital completes first living-donor liver transplant

Thong Nhat Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City has completed its first living-donor liver transplant, marking a new step in specialist care for patients in southern Vietnam.

Eight-hour operation

The procedure was carried out on August 22 with support from Military Central Hospital 108 in Hanoi. It involved a 50-year-old man suffering from liver cancer, cirrhosis linked to hepatitis B and C, and type-2 diabetes.

His 29-year-old brother voluntarily donated part of his liver. The operation lasted eight hours.

Patient remains stable

Both men were transferred to intensive care after surgery. Hospital staff said the recipient’s transplanted liver is functioning well, while blood and biochemical indicators have improved and are moving towards normal levels.

Doctors are continuing to monitor the patient for graft performance, complications and recovery progress. The donor has since left hospital and is recuperating at home under medical supervision.

Years of preparation

Hospital director Associate Professor Dr Le Dinh Thanh said the achievement followed long-term work on treatment protocols, training, upgraded facilities and coordination between specialist teams.

Military Central Hospital 108 said it would continue supporting Thong Nhat Hospital as it develops its liver-transplant programme.

What it means for foreigners in Vietnam

The result adds to Ho Chi Minh City’s capacity for highly specialised medical treatment. Thong Nhat becomes the city’s seventh facility providing liver transplantation, alongside major public, military and private hospitals already offering the service.

10 September 2026