According to the Ministry of Health's 2026 implementation plan for electronic medical records (EMR), all public and private hospitals must cease the use of paper medical records by January 1, 2027. For many hospitals, digital transformation is therefore no longer merely an option but a roadmap with a specific deadline.
This article by OMN1 Solution helps you understand the concepts, the current landscape, real-world examples, and how to develop a strategy.
What is digital transformation in healthcare?
As defined by the Ministry of Health's digital transformation program, digital transformation in healthcare involves the comprehensive application of information technology across all medical activities to drive positive changes in healthcare delivery.
It goes beyond simple document digitization. Digitization merely converts information from paper to a digital format, whereas digital transformation leverages that data to fundamentally change operational processes and patient care.
Digital transformation in hospitals: 4 key pillars
- Electronic Medical Records (EMR): The data foundation for all subsequent applications.
- Interoperable data and Electronic Health Records (EHR): Patient information that follows them across different healthcare facilities.
- Remote consultation and examination: Expanding access to services.
- Administration and patient experience: Appointment scheduling, follow-up reminders, feedback collection, and operational efficiency analysis.
The Landscape of Healthcare Digital Transformation in Vietnam (2026)
- As of June 2026, approximately 75% of hospitals nationwide had implemented electronic medical records (EMR).
- By the end of January 2026, the electronic health record feature on the VNeID application had been rolled out nationwide, with over 34 million records completed.
- Decision 4048/QĐ-BYT (dated December 31, 2025) mandated the implementation of two shared platforms: remote medical consultation and electronic health records.
Disparities in implementation progress remain across different locations, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for early-adopting hospitals.
Examples of Healthcare Digital Transformation
- Ho Chi Minh City: 100% of local hospitals have implemented electronic medical records to varying degrees, aiming for a paperless hospital model and a large-scale medical data repository to support AI applications. From July 1, 2026, citizens' electronic health records have been deployed via the Ho Chi Minh City Digital Citizen platform.
- Frontline hospitals: In 2025, Bach Mai, Duc Giang, and Saint Paul (Xanh Pon) hospitals achieved significant breakthroughs in digital transformation.
- AI in medical imaging: Viet Tiep Hospital has integrated AI to assist with diagnostic imaging.
What is Proactive Healthcare?
Proactive Healthcare shifts the focus from treating existing illnesses to early risk detection, continuous monitoring, and lifelong health management. Regularly updated electronic health records facilitate early disease risk detection and lifelong health management. Achieving this requires interoperable data and post-examination care tools, such as appointment reminders and follow-up tracking.
Healthcare Technology Trends for 2026
- Electronic Medical Records (EMR) become the core infrastructure for smart hospitals.
- AI-assisted medical imaging diagnostics and health data analysis.
- Remote consultations and examinations via shared platforms.
- Lifelong health data integrated into individual electronic health records.
Healthcare Digital Transformation Strategy: 5 Practical Steps
- Assess the current state: existing systems, data, and processes.
- Set priority-based goals: EMR implementation, data interoperability, and patient experience.
- Standardize data before deploying new tools.
- Implement in phases and measure effectiveness at each stage.
- Ensure staff training and continuous health data security.
Conclusion
Healthcare digital transformation is a long-term journey that begins with data and culminates in the patient care experience. Hospitals that adopt a systematic approach can meet regulatory milestones while simultaneously enhancing service quality.
OMN1 Solution is a Salesforce partner supporting businesses in Vietnam with CRM implementation roadmaps, operational optimization, and automation. You can read more about healthcare CRM to understand how to manage the patient journey.
👉 Contact OMN1 Solution to discuss a digital transformation roadmap tailored to your organization.
