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AIMS Public Health

2026, Volume 13, Issue 1: 222-239. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2026013
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Research article

Vietnam biobanking feasibility study: An overview of biobanking landscape, infrastructure, and capacity

  • 1.
    Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • 2.
    University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • 3.
    Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, The University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
  • 4.
    Hainan International Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Hainan, China
  • 5.
    State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
  • 6.
    Smoke-free & Healthy Life Association of Macau, Macau SAR, China
  • 7.
    Medservice, biobank & biobanking consulting and services, Hoerndlirain 22, 6318 Walchwil, Switzerland
  • 8.
    Hanoi Medical University, Thanh Hoa Campus, Vietnam
  • 9.
    Thanh Hoa Oncology Hospital, Thanh Hoa, Vietnam
  • 10.
    Institution of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
  • 11.
    Vietnam National Lung Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • 12.
    Institute of Biomedical Data and Science Research (BIODAS), Ha Noi, Vietnam
  • Published: 09 February 2026

  • Within Southeast Asia, there are still some challenges in managing non-communicable diseases and public health. Vietnam's government has supported its biotech research and pharmaceutical capacity for many years, including creating research infrastructure such as biobanks. To better understand the situation of biobanks in Vietnam, a feasibility study adapted from previous biobank work in Southeast Asia was conducted to analyze the knowledge gap for biobanking in Vietnam. The questionnaire was redefined for the purpose of the Vietnamese research climate, with 66 items categorized into 8 sections. Specifically, the study analyzed the following information: 1) General Information, (2) Biobank Information, (3) Sample and Storage Management, (4) Biobank Infrastructure, (5) Operational Resources and Personnel, (6) Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), (7) Quality Management Systems (QMS), and (8) Risk Management Systems. The results showed that most biobanks in Vietnam have good energy supplies and backup power. Internet access was more critical, and backup sources were rare. Human resource management and training programs were well established. The QMS and LIMS were widespread, thus promoting confidence in the quality of biobanking, while waste management was also in place. However, reliable and available dry ice was hard to find, and sensitive data/documents lacked confidentiality. Most biobanks have a contingency plan, but alert systems/breach procedures raised questions about the quality of the contingency plans. To our knowledge, this is the first feasibility study of the biobank infrastructure in Vietnam. Our results, based on a selected group of biobanks, suggest there are well-established; however, there are critical challenges that should be addressed in the near future. Ultimately, the findings in this study should provide a foundation for future policy work, informed strategic planning, and resource allocation for the sustainable development and operation of biobanks in Vietnam. Additionaly, another survey with a broader group of biobanks should be planned.

    Citation: Hanh Vu, Io Hong Cheong, Jasper Hoi Chun Luong, Daniel Simeon-Dubach, Duyen Le, Thi Hong Xuan Pham, Nguyen Trung Thanh, Nguen Quoc Dat. Vietnam biobanking feasibility study: An overview of biobanking landscape, infrastructure, and capacity[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2026, 13(1): 222-239. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2026013

    Related Papers:

  • Within Southeast Asia, there are still some challenges in managing non-communicable diseases and public health. Vietnam's government has supported its biotech research and pharmaceutical capacity for many years, including creating research infrastructure such as biobanks. To better understand the situation of biobanks in Vietnam, a feasibility study adapted from previous biobank work in Southeast Asia was conducted to analyze the knowledge gap for biobanking in Vietnam. The questionnaire was redefined for the purpose of the Vietnamese research climate, with 66 items categorized into 8 sections. Specifically, the study analyzed the following information: 1) General Information, (2) Biobank Information, (3) Sample and Storage Management, (4) Biobank Infrastructure, (5) Operational Resources and Personnel, (6) Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), (7) Quality Management Systems (QMS), and (8) Risk Management Systems. The results showed that most biobanks in Vietnam have good energy supplies and backup power. Internet access was more critical, and backup sources were rare. Human resource management and training programs were well established. The QMS and LIMS were widespread, thus promoting confidence in the quality of biobanking, while waste management was also in place. However, reliable and available dry ice was hard to find, and sensitive data/documents lacked confidentiality. Most biobanks have a contingency plan, but alert systems/breach procedures raised questions about the quality of the contingency plans. To our knowledge, this is the first feasibility study of the biobank infrastructure in Vietnam. Our results, based on a selected group of biobanks, suggest there are well-established; however, there are critical challenges that should be addressed in the near future. Ultimately, the findings in this study should provide a foundation for future policy work, informed strategic planning, and resource allocation for the sustainable development and operation of biobanks in Vietnam. Additionaly, another survey with a broader group of biobanks should be planned.



    加载中

    Acknowledgments


    We would like to thank Dr. Zisis Kozlakidis (International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization) for his input and feedback provided to the study.

    Authors' contributions


    Hanh Vu, Io Hong Cheong, Jasper Hoi Chun Luong, and Daniel Simeon-Dubach contributed to conceptualization and methodology. Investigation, analysis and visualization were carried out by all authors. Validation, including translation from Vietnamese where necessary, was performed by Hanh Vu, Thi Duyen Le, Thi Hong Xuan Pham, Thanh Nguyen Trung, and Dat Nguyen Quoc. All authors contributed to writing the original draft of the manuscript and to review and editing, and have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

    Conflict of interest


    Io Hong Cheong is a guest editor for its Special Issue. He did not engage in the editorial review or the decision to publish this article. All authors declare no conflicts of interest in this paper.

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