Global Perspectives in Plastic Surgery: View of Plastic Surgeons From Vietnam

Vietnam's plastic surgery landscape is evolving amid rapid development and persistent systemic challenges. Major disparities in reconstructive care arise from limited infrastructure, an insufficient number of trained specialists, and unequal access between urban and rural regions.

This article drew on insights from Vietnamese plastic and reconstructive surgeons to examine the country's current reconstructive capacity and barriers to care.

Although Vietnam has 3 institutions with accredited plastic surgery residency programs and additional master's tracks for plastic surgery training, the workforce remains inadequate to meet demand. More than 65% of the population lives in rural provinces with minimal access to reconstructive services, whereas surgical services are concentrated in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. High-volume needs include burns, oncological reconstruction, and congenital anomalies such as cleft lip and palate. Systemic barriers further constrain surgical capacity, including insufficient infrastructure, scarce surgical materials, and a lack of multidisciplinary support. Financial incentives and disparities in work conditions also reduce the availability of reconstructive services in the public sector.

Although international partnerships and short-term missions have bolstered training in advanced techniques, their long-term impact is limited without sustainable collaboration. Scalable, locally adaptable solutions, including government-sponsored rural incentives, expanding training opportunities, virtual education platforms, and train-the-trainer models, are urgently needed. Coordinated investment in education, infrastructure, and policy reform could enable Vietnam to deliver equitable, life-changing reconstructive care that restores function, dignity, and quality of life nationwide.