Efforts to establish proton therapy centers in Vietnam

Hue Central Hospital is ready to deploy a proton therapy center. Photo: Thuong Hien

Radiation therapy and proton therapy

Radiation therapy is a method for treating cancers with ionizing radiation, aiming to deliver the maximum radiation dose to the tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This ensures effective tumor removal while avoiding radiation toxicity to the patient’s body. Besides curative treatment, radiation therapy also plays an important role in palliative care: relieving pain and other symptoms of advanced cancers, such as obstruction, compression, or bleeding. It is estimated that 50 - 70% of cancer patients require radiation therapy as part of a multimodal treatment plan (combined with surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, etc.).

Proton therapy is a method that uses high-energy proton radiation particles to destroy cancer cells. Positively charged protons are produced when electrons are stripped from hydrogen atoms. A particle accelerator uses magnets to bend the protons, supply energy, and accelerate them up to 70% of the speed of light. The proton energy can be adjusted to create beams that penetrate 5 cm to 30 cm into the body. Based on their unique physical properties and the Bragg peak effect, protons release minimal energy at the entry phase, reach a maximum at the tumor site, and then rapidly decrease, with almost no further spread to tissues beyond. This feature makes proton therapy superior to radiation techniques that use photon or electron beams.

Developing proton therapy in Vietnam

In a report presented at the workshop titled “Proton Therapy in Cancer Treatment – Potential in Vietnam,” Professor Andrew L. Chang, an expert from the California Proton Therapy Center (USA), stated that by 2025, there will be 114 proton therapy centers worldwide, with the largest number in the United States (45 centers), followed by Europe, Japan, China, and South Korea. In Southeast Asia, Singapore currently has four centers and Thailand has one. Professor Andrew L. Chang also shared that, in the U.S., proton centers are distributed by the government and health agencies based on population and geographic distance to make access to modern radiation therapy more convenient. Proton therapy is also covered by health insurance - 80% reimbursement (up to 95% for pediatric patients) - if the condition is included in the list approved by the U.S. Department of Health, based on consensus from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

In Vietnam, over the past decade, thanks to comprehensive investments in diagnostic imaging equipment such as high-quality CT and MRI scanners, as well as advanced nuclear medicine systems including SPECT/CT, PET/CT, Cyclotron, and modern linear accelerator systems, it has become possible to perform most advanced radiotherapy techniques, bringing many encouraging results. However, advances in cancer radiotherapy, including proton therapy, show no sign of stopping. Clinical trial results from countries that have pioneered proton therapy techniques have demonstrated its outstanding effectiveness in increasing survival rates, reducing severe side effects, and improving patients’ life quality.

Speaking at the workshop, Prof. Dr. Pham Nhu Hiep, Director of Hue Central Hospital, emphasized: “Proton therapy brings enormous benefits for pediatric patients and for cases involving complex tumors located in difficult areas or close to vital organs. These groups of patients are particularly vulnerable to the side effects of traditional treatment methods. Implementing proton therapy at Hue Central Hospital will not only create opportunities for domestic patients to access advanced medical technology but will also help affirm the hospital’s position, aiming to become a leading specialized cancer treatment center in Southeast Asia.”

Over the past two years, the Ministry of Health has held numerous meetings with relevant agencies to evaluate the progress of the project to establish proton therapy centers in Vietnam. According to the plan, investment preparation for these centers is scheduled for 2025, with completion targeted for the 2026–2030 period. At the same time, the Ministry’s leadership emphasized the need to clarify issues related to treatment indications, health insurance reimbursement, and, in particular, to assess the project’s socioeconomic benefits. This initiative not only aims to enhance Vietnam’s capacity and quality in cancer treatment but also to ease the financial burden on patients who currently have to seek treatment abroad.

At Hue Central Hospital, the proton therapy project has seen positive progress. On July 17, 2025, the hospital submitted an investment proposal to the Ministry of Health for approval. At the same time, Hue city authorities fully supported the initiative and designated a 5,700 m² site at 12 Nguyen Van Cu Street, very close to the hospital, for the construction of the Proton Therapy Center. Building the Hue Proton Therapy Center is entirely feasible, as Hue Central Hospital not only possesses a well-developed infrastructure and modern medical equipment but also a highly qualified team of doctors and medical staff with extensive experience in cancer treatment and the operation of advanced radiotherapy equipment.

The Proton Therapy Center project in Hue is listed among important and priority investment programs aimed at applying radiation in healthcare, aligning with developed countries, meeting the growing healthcare demands and quality expectations of the public, attracting international patients, and contributing significantly to socioeconomic development. The project is also fully consistent with the Government’s National Healthcare Network Plan for 2021–2030, with a vision toward 2050, under which six hospitals nationwide will be upgraded to international standards, including Hue Central Hospital.