In the early 2000s, a modern, internationally accredited hospital rose from the swamplands of southern Saigon, now Phu My Hung, and quickly became a symbol of innovation and development in District 7, as well as in Ho Chi Minh City’s healthcare sector at large. More than 20 years later, FV Hospital continues to grow and remains a trusted partner in safeguarding the health of the community.

FV Hospital was established during a period when Vietnam was opening its doors to the world and the government was calling for strong foreign direct investment (FDI) in the healthcare sector. Aligned with this vision, ten French founders, nine doctors and one lawyer, set out to make it a reality. In November 1997, French physician Dr Jean-Marcel Guillon arrived in Ho Chi Minh City with the ambition of building an international-standard medical facility for the Vietnamese people. Together, the founding team secured support from 499 shareholders and several reputable banks to bring the project to life.

Pioneering International-Standard Healthcare in Vietnam

Overcoming numerous challenges, Dr Jean-Marcel Guillon, CEO of FV Hospital, transformed a vast, desolate swampland in southern Saigon at the end of the 20th century into a world class, modern medical facility. His vision and determination established a landmark for Vietnam’s healthcare sector and left a lasting impression on residents of Ho Chi Minh City and the southern provinces.

On 11 March 2003, FV Hospital officially began operations, becoming Vietnam’s first 100% foreign invested general hospital. Its medical and support staff were professionally trained both locally and internationally. Remarkably, many of the doctors, nurses, and employees who joined FV in its early days remain part of the hospital to this day.

What inspired these individuals to place their trust in FV and dedicate themselves for the long term? Reflecting on those early days, many point to several key reasons. First, they were deeply impressed by the vision and ambition of Dr Jean-Marcel Guillon. His determination, clear leadership, and sense of purpose gave them confidence in the project’s success. Second, during a time when the country was still recovering from the aftermath of war and facing many hardships, the FV Hospital project represented hope and progress for both the city and the healthcare sector. Third, the hospital’s state-of-the-art equipment allowed medical professionals to fully apply their experience and quickly bring to life the knowledge and techniques they had learnt. Finally, FV provided a professional environment where they could practise medicine with confidence and deliver the highest standard of care to their patients.

Recognised by Leading Accreditation Bodies

Since its founding, FV Hospital has drawn on its international network to regularly welcome top medical experts from France and around the world to work, train staff, and transfer advanced treatment technologies to generations of FV doctors and nurses.

With strong clinical capabilities, visionary leadership, and a steadfast commitment to patient safety, FV has grown from a single hospital into a comprehensive healthcare group with a full-service ecosystem recognised by leading international accreditation bodies. In 2007, FV became the first hospital in Vietnam to receive HAS certification (France), and in 2016, it earned Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation – widely regarded as the global gold standard for healthcare quality and patient safety. FV has since been successfully reaccredited by JCI in 2019, 2022, and 2025, becoming the first hospital in southern Vietnam to receive the JCI Gold Seal of Approval four consecutive times.

Achieving JCI accreditation, which involves compliance with over 1,200 rigorous criteria, requires excellence across all areas of hospital operations, from governance, medical records, waste management to infection control, equipment maintenance, clinical protocols, diagnostics, treatment procedures, and sterilisation standards.

Contributing to the Advancement of Vietnam’s Healthcare Sector

Over more than two decades of steady progress and continuous improvement, FV Hospital has remained committed to its vision of becoming “Asia’s leading healthcare provider.” In pursuit of this goal, it has played a vital role in raising the standard of international healthcare in Vietnam. Since its founding, FV has served approximately five million patients, both Vietnamese and international, including many complex, rare, and critical cases that were successfully treated.

Among its patient base, 75% are Vietnamese and 25% are foreign nationals. This relatively high proportion of international patients not only contributes to foreign currency revenue but also reinforces Vietnam’s medical reputation within the global healthcare community.

FV Hospital currently operates 220 inpatient beds and employs over 1,500 staff, offering both inpatient and outpatient services across more than 30 medical and surgical specialties. The hospital can accommodate up to 1,500 patient visits per day.

Having expanded twentyfold over the past 20 years, FV stands as a leading example of successful foreign investment in Vietnam’s healthcare sector. At the ceremony marking FV’s 20-year journey of delivering international-standard healthcare to Vietnam, representatives from the Ministry of Health and Ho Chi Minh City authorities recognised the hospital’s significant contributions to public health and the advancement of the country’s medical sector.

In January 2024, FV Hospital officially became a member of Thomson Medical Group, a leading healthcare provider in Southeast Asia, with operations in Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam. FV is also expanding its facilities with the construction of a new “H” building, complementing the existing “F” and “V” buildings. This development will support the continued growth of high-tech medical centres such as the Cancer Treatment Centre, Digestive & Hepatobiliary Centre, while also introducing new services including in-vitro fertilization, dialysis, and bone marrow transplants, bringing cutting-edge global medical advancements to treat patients right here in Vietnam.

Sources: https://khoahocphothong.vn/benh-vien-fv-mot-bieu-tuong-giua-dam-lay-ngay-ay-259731.html