Representatives from the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA), and a delegation of eight leading Australian healthcare brands visited and worked at the Long Chau Pharmacy and Vaccination System in Ho Chi Minh City on 21/9. During the meeting, representatives from all parties discussed proactive healthcare trends, the demand for dietary supplements, and the potential for connecting distribution systems in the Vietnamese market.

An overview of the meeting between Long Chau and the Australian delegation. *Photo: H.Khanh*

People are increasingly embracing proactive healthcare, leading to a rise in demand for dietary supplements. Factors like an aging population, improving income levels, and increased spending capacity for healthcare also drive the need for preventive health measures.

Alongside growth potential, Vietnam's dietary supplement market demands high standards for product quality, origin, and transparency. Consumers, especially for health products, tend to research ingredients, manufacturing standards, origin, and distributors.

An Austrade representative stated that Australia boasts brands with long-standing heritage, emphasizing quality standards. These include Nature's Way, Blackmores, Swisse, Gnosis by Lesaffre, Witsbb, Life Space Group, Lipa Pharmaceuticals, Longevity Life Sciences, and PharmaCare. Australian complementary healthcare brands have expanded their presence in the Asia-Pacific region, identifying Vietnam as a key market.

Joel Smouha, Trade & Investment Counsellor, Austrade (left), discusses with Ngo Quoc Bao, Senior Director of Long Chau Pharmacy and Vaccination System (right), at the event. *Photo: H.Khanh*

In this context, the pharmaceutical retail system plays a crucial role in connecting international healthcare brands with the domestic market and consumers. In Vietnam, Long Chau benefits from its extensive reach, professional resources, and technological platform. With a network of over 2,700 pharmacies and nearly 240 vaccination centers "close to the people" across 34 provinces and cities, along with a team of over 22,000 community healthcare professionals and a modern technology platform, the company serves over 36 million customers, equivalent to over one-third of the country's population.

A Long Chau representative affirmed that the system prioritizes transparency and safety in all operations. Long Chau strategically cooperates with the National Institute for Food Control (Ministry of Health) and has built a "transparency alliance" to ensure people can confidently access genuine, traceable, and quality-verified products. In practice, the company adheres to the principle of "the right medicine, at the right time, in the right place, for the right person" when advising and assisting customers.

Long Chau also fosters comprehensive cooperation with leading domestic and international pharmaceutical corporations. This collaboration aims to enhance access to new-generation, quality, and equitable healthcare solutions for the public. These consistent steps protect consumers and contribute to a healthier pharmaceutical market in Vietnam.

Leveraging its extensive pharmacy network and technological platform, Long Chau connects international brands with the increasingly diverse healthcare needs of Vietnamese people. *Photo: H.Khanh*

Ngo Quoc Bao emphasized that Long Chau always places customer health and safety at the core of its operations. "We strive to remain a vital connecting platform, helping international brands expand their presence in Vietnam while offering Vietnamese people more trusted, quality, and transparent healthcare choices," Bao said.

Beyond sharing insights on the potential and development directions of Vietnam's dietary supplement market, the meeting also included discussions on initiatives to enhance pharmacists' capabilities, increase public awareness of proactive healthcare, and expand community programs. Furthermore, the participants exchanged medical and pathological knowledge, as well as strategies to boost technology application in healthcare.

Long Chau representatives stated that to achieve the shared goal of sustainable healthcare for the public through high-quality products and services, Long Chau, Austrade, Complementary Medicines Australia, and pharmaceutical businesses will continue to strengthen cooperation. This collaboration will bring global medical advancements closer to Vietnamese people through the community pharmacy system.

Representatives from Austrade, CMA, eight Australian healthcare brands, and Long Chau pose for a commemorative photo after the meeting. *Photo: H.Khanh*

Austrade is an Australian government agency tasked with promoting international trade and investment while supporting Australian businesses in expanding their global market presence. In Vietnam, within the healthcare sector, Austrade helps businesses access market opportunities and connect with partners, thereby strengthening trade cooperation between the two nations.

Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA) represents the complementary pharmaceutical industry in Australia. It connects businesses within the sector with regulatory bodies, partners, and international markets, while promoting standards for quality, safety, and transparency in the complementary pharmaceutical field.

Kim Anh