Institute Profile

The National Institute for Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) focuses on prevention and control of communicable diseases. In addition to scientific research  in epidemiology, medical microbiology, immunology, and molecular biology, NIHE conducts various national programs on infectious disease surveillance and control, develops vaccines, and conducts public health training and education on both undergraduate and post-graduate levels.  

Founded in 1926 as the Pasteur Institute of Hanoi, NIHE became a national public health institute in 1997. Today it employs some 1,000 people, including 500 at a vaccine production facility that makes 80% of the vaccines used in the country.

Over the past 10 years, many major infectious diseases—including tetanus, typhoid, mumps, meningitis, hepatitis, plagues, rabies and malaria—have been significantly reduced or eradicated (polio) in Vietnam. However, the country is still a geographical hot spot for emerging infectious diseases such as SARS and avian influenza. Tuberculosis, dengue, hemorrhagic fever, viral encephalitis, diarrhea, measles and cholera remain major public health problems. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is increasing throughout the country. Morbidity and mortality from noncommunicable diseases (including cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and injuries) have increased in the past 20 years with more than 500 000 people affected by NCDs annually in Vietnam.

In 2010, NIHE activities resulted in an expanded immunization program and vaccine research that included an evaluation of  HPV vaccine delivery

Director Nguyen Tran Hien

strategies. NIHE built its capacity for improved HIV prevention, care, and treatment through surveillance, monitoring, and strengthened laboratory systems, as well as a family intervention to address drug use and HIV.  Influenza research, monitoring and prevention are ongoing, as is research on vector-borne, emerging, and re-emerging diseases. NIHE now also includes NCDs in its strategic focus areas and plans to create a database of leading NCDs.

Part of the institute's plan for future collaboration is an International Center for Biomedical Research, which would serve as an epidemic intelligence center focused on early detection and rapid responses for emerging diseases and pandemics that threaten Vietnam and other countries in the region.

With support from IANPHI, NIHE personnel  participated to IANPHI Summer School in Helsinki, and NDC seminars held at THL, Finland. NIHE has strong partnership with neighboring countries and collaborates with organizations, such as the U.S. CDC and WHO.

Read more about the Vietnam NIHE at www.nihe.org.vn