Starting with four pharmacies in TP HCM, Long Chau has expanded its presence across 34 provinces and cities in just nine years. Driven by a commitment to community accessibility, the system consistently expands, ensuring residents across urban, rural, mountainous, and island regions can access safe, transparent medical pharmaceuticals at reasonable costs and consistent quality. As the initial point of contact for healthcare in communities, the system protects family health during seasonal changes and emergencies. Combined with a network of more than 230 vaccination centers nationwide, Long Chau has been providing healthcare support to over 33 million customers across the country, representing one-third of Vietnam's population.

Long Chau's team of 22,000 pharmacists supports communities at primary healthcare points. Photo: Long Chau

To serve the community effectively, Long Chau pharmacies operate from early morning until late night. Pharmacists ensure each prescription follows the principles of the right person, the right prescription, and the right indications, helping people understand proper usage and adhere to sustainable treatment. Moreover, pharmacists serve as a bridge, bringing official medical knowledge closer to the public and enhancing community awareness of proactive healthcare.

Nguyen Nhan, 75 years old, from Tan Thuan ward, TP HCM, shared that she has long considered the pharmacists at her local Long Chau branch like family. She has had diabetes for five years and regularly visits the pharmacy to purchase blood glucose monitoring devices, as well as cold and cough medicines when falling ill. "Beyond their professional knowledge, the care and concern shown by Long Chau staff make me feel warm and secure in my treatment," Nhan said.

Long Chau's loyal customers celebrate the system reaching 2,678 pharmacies. Photo: Long Chau

"Vi khoe nha ta": A health wallet for the whole family

As part of its efforts to expand community healthcare programs, Long Chau pioneers the use of resident data to serve people through family accounts, leveraging modern technology platforms that meet information security standards.

Recently, the Long Chau app launched the "Vi khoe nha ta" feature, allowing multiple family members to link to a single account. This enables combined spending, accumulation of reward points, and access to numerous offers. Users only need to verify family information (a minimum of three members) via the "resident information" authentication on the VNeID app and activate the wallet to start accumulating benefits.

Upon account activation, families immediately receive three free gifts and a collection of vouchers worth over one million dong, usable for various needs such as: purchasing medicines, functional foods, medical equipment, vaccinations, and testing.

The new "Vi khoe nha ta" solution allows families to accumulate reward points from daily healthcare needs. Photo: Long Chau

A Long Chau representative stated that this initiative aims to help customers reduce financial burdens and save on expenses amidst rising prices. It also helps bridge geographical distances in family healthcare. Through synchronized data in the family account, a child living far away can manage diabetes and blood pressure prescriptions for elderly parents in their hometown or monitor vaccination schedules for young children, all within one application. The shared health account also strengthens intergenerational bonds.

Caring for patients with rare diseases in Vietnam

In addition to increasing access points, Long Chau is enhancing comprehensive strategic cooperation with domestic and international pharmaceutical corporations. This aims to improve access to new-generation, high-quality, and equitable healthcare solutions for Vietnamese people.

Nguyen Do Quyen, Deputy General Director of FPT Retail and Chief Operating Officer of Long Chau Pharmacy and Vaccination Center System, noted that according to the IQVIA MIDAS pharmaceutical industry research report, approximately 460 innovative drugs were developed globally between 2012 and 2021. However, Vietnamese people could only access about 9 percent of these, significantly lower than many countries in the region and worldwide. Recognizing this, Long Chau's mission extends beyond business operations to enhancing opportunities for people to access advanced solutions.

Do Quyen explained that introducing innovative drugs, treatments for rare diseases, and complex conditions requiring specialized solutions to Vietnam brings practical value. Primarily, it increases opportunities for people to access advanced treatments domestically without needing to travel abroad, substantially reducing financial burdens and limiting the drain on foreign exchange reserves. Importantly, receiving care in a familiar environment also improves patients' morale and quality of life.

A Long Chau pharmacy recently opened in Ha Tinh. Photo: Long Chau

In 2026, the system plans to introduce more than 30 new-generation drugs and treatment solutions to Vietnam. This past April, the company collaborated with AstraZeneca (UK) to launch three advanced medical solutions for severe asthma, systemic lupus erythematosus, and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome—conditions with significant treatment burdens. The network of 2,678 pharmacies nationwide continues to serve as a community health touchpoint, helping millions of domestic patients more easily access rare drugs and international-standard medical innovations, receiving modern care comparable to that in developed countries.

A Long Chau representative affirmed that over the past decade, the company has prioritized public health. "2,678 pharmacies represent 2,678 commitments to building a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem—where every citizen is protected and cared for with both Vietnamese wisdom and heart, for a healthy Vietnam," the representative emphasized.

Kim Anh