Liver transplant is a life-saving procedure for patients with end-stage liver disease, acute liver failure, and certain liver cancers. As global demand for transplant surgery increases, Vietnam has emerged as a promising destination for high-quality, affordable liver transplant procedures. With experienced transplant surgeons, advanced medical infrastructure, and significantly lower medical costs, Vietnam is attracting patients from many countries seeking safe and effective treatment.

This in-depth guide provides everything international patients need to know about receiving a liver transplant in Vietnam—including indications, transplant types, hospital options, recovery timeline, cost, and pre-arrival preparation.

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What Is a Liver Transplant?

A liver transplant (orthotopic liver transplantation) is a surgical procedure that removes a damaged or failing liver and replaces it with a healthy liver from a donor.

Who needs a liver transplant?

Liver transplant is typically recommended for:

• End-stage liver disease (cirrhosis)

• Acute liver failure

• Alcoholic liver disease

• Viral hepatitis complications (Hepatitis B/C-related cirrhosis)

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH)

• Biliary atresia

• Liver cancer (Hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC) within transplant criteria

• Genetic/metabolic liver diseases

Transplant is often the only life-saving treatment when the liver can no longer function properly.

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Types of Liver Transplant in Vietnam

Vietnamese transplant centers provide all major transplant techniques, performed according to international protocols.

1. Living Donor Liver Transplant (LDLT)

A living donor—usually a relative or compatible volunteer—donates a portion of their liver.
The liver naturally regenerates in both donor and recipient.

Advantages:

• Shorter waiting time

• Excellent survival outcomes

• Better donor–recipient matching

Vietnam is known for strong expertise in adult-to-adult LDLT and pediatric LDLT.

2. Deceased Donor Liver Transplant (DDLT)

A whole liver or liver segment is taken from a deceased donor.

Advantages:

• Larger graft size

• Suitable for patients without living donors

However, the waiting time may be longer depending on donor availability.

3. Split-Liver Transplant

A deceased donor liver is divided into two grafts for two recipients, often including a child.

4. Auxiliary Liver Transplant

A partial donor liver is transplanted alongside the patient’s native liver—used in rare cases such as acute liver failure in children.

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Why Choose Vietnam for a Liver Transplant?

1. High-quality transplant centers

Vietnam has rapidly improved transplant technology and infrastructure, achieving success rates comparable to regional transplant leaders such as Thailand, India, and Singapore.

2. Experienced surgical teams

Vietnamese transplant surgeons are trained in:

• Korea

• Japan

• Singapore

• France

• Germany

Many are involved in regional transplant programs and research.

3. Advanced surgical technology

Modern hospitals in Vietnam use:

• Hybrid operating rooms

• 3D laparoscopic systems

• High-precision vascular anastomosis instruments

• Intraoperative ultrasound

• Modern ICU & transplant units

4. Significantly reduced cost

The overall cost of liver transplant in Vietnam is 40–70% lower than in Western countries.

5. Personalized patient care

International departments provide support with:

• Translation

• Medical records

• Accommodation

• Airport transfers

• Long-term follow-up planning

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Best Hospitals for Liver Transplant in Vietnam (2025)

Below are the leading hospitals known for liver transplant expertise:

1. Vinmec Times City International Hospital – Hanoi

• One of Vietnam’s most advanced transplant centers

• Experienced in adult and pediatric liver transplant

• International-standard operating rooms

• Strong post-transplant ICU management

2. Viet Duc University Hospital (Hanoi)

• Pioneer in liver transplant surgery in Vietnam

• High surgical volume

• Strong experience in complex cases

3. Cho Ray Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City)

• Major government hospital with transplant expertise

• Large multi-organ transplant program

4. 108 Military Central Hospital (Hanoi)

• Advanced hepatobiliary and transplant center

• Performs both LDLT and DDLT

5. FV Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City)

• International-standard hospital (JCI-accredited)

• Offers comprehensive hepatology and surgical care

• Coordinates with national transplant programs

If you want, I can build a comparison table based on cost, waiting time, techniques, and English-language support.

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How Much Does a Liver Transplant Cost in Vietnam?

Costs vary by hospital, donor type, ICU stay, medications, and complications.

Estimated price range (2025):

This is significantly lower than:

• USA: $500,000 – $800,000

• Singapore: $250,000 – $350,000

• Thailand: $90,000 – $150,000

• India: $50,000 – $80,000

Vietnam offers one of the most cost-effective liver transplant options worldwide.

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Pre-Transplant Evaluation in Vietnam

Patients must undergo a comprehensive assessment to confirm transplant suitability and prepare a safe surgical plan.

1. Medical evaluation

• Liver function tests (LFTs)

• Viral markers (HBV, HCV, HIV)

• Kidney function

• Coagulation profile

• Imaging (CT scan, MRI, Doppler ultrasound)

• Endoscopy (varices assessment)

2. Cardiopulmonary evaluation

• ECG

• Echocardiogram

• Chest X-ray or CT

• Pulmonary function tests

3. Cancer screening

Especially important for patients with liver cancer within Milan or UCSF criteria.

4. Donor evaluation (for LDLT)

• Genetic/biological compatibility

• Liver volumetry

• Psychological assessment

• Risk evaluation for donors

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How Liver Transplant Surgery Works

Liver transplant is a complex multi-stage operation involving several medical teams.

1. Donor liver procurement

For LDLT: surgeons remove a liver segment from the healthy donor.
For DDLT: donor liver is retrieved from the deceased donor.

2. Recipient surgery

• Removal of the diseased liver

• Preservation of vascular structures

• Implantation of the donor liver

• Anastomosis of portal vein, hepatic artery, vena cava, and bile duct

• Checking blood flow using Doppler ultrasound

3. ICU monitoring

Patients stay in the intensive care unit for close monitoring of:

• Bleeding

• Organ rejection

• Infection

• Liver function

4. Hospital stay

After ICU stabilization, patients continue recovery in the transplant ward for:

• Mobility support

• Nutrition optimization

• Medication management

Typical hospital stay: 10–21 days, depending on the case.

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Recovery After Liver Transplant

Recovery is a long-term process but outcomes are excellent when patients follow medical guidance.

Recovery timeline

Post-transplant medications

Patients must take:

• Immunosuppressive drugs

• Anti-infection medication

• Liver function support

• Regular blood tests

Long-term success rates

Modern liver transplant centers in Vietnam report:

• 1-year survival: 85–92%

• 5-year survival: 75–85%

Comparable to international transplant programs.

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Risks and Complications

Like any major surgery, liver transplant carries risks:

• Rejection

• Infection

• Biliary complications

• Bleeding

• Vascular thrombosis

• Recurrence of underlying diseases

Vietnamese centers use international protocols to reduce these risks and improve outcomes.

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How International Patients Can Prepare for Liver Transplant in Vietnam

1. Send medical records for evaluation

Patients should provide:

• Medical history

• Liver imaging (MRI, CT, ultrasound)

• Laboratory results

• Treatment history

• Current medications

2. Choose a transplant center

Factors to consider:

• Experience in LDLT/DDLT

• Cost transparency

• ICU quality

• Donor coordination

• English-language support

3. Plan your stay in Vietnam

Typical stay required: 6–12 weeks, depending on recovery progress.

4. Accommodation & transportation

Medical tourism services can arrange:

• Airport pickup

• Long-term apartment or hotel

• Interpreter support

• Hospital coordination

5. Financial planning

Total transplant cost includes:

• Surgery

• Donor surgery (for LDLT)

• ICU stay

• Medications

• Imaging & diagnostics

• Follow-up appointments

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is living donor liver transplant safe?

Yes. Donor safety is the highest priority, and the liver regenerates within months.

2. How long does a liver transplant last?

Many transplanted livers function 15–25 years or more with proper care.

3. Can foreign patients receive a liver transplant in Vietnam?

Yes. Many hospitals accept international patients with proper documentation.

4. Is the donor liver safe?

All liver grafts undergo strict screening for infections and compatibility.

5. When can patients fly home?

Most patients can travel 6–8 weeks after surgery, depending on medical clearance.