Enthusiastic in his pursuit of both medical practice and scientific research, Vo Cong Minh, MD, PhD, Head of Otorhinolaryngology Department at FV Hospital, always tailors his advice individually to each patient, based on medical literature and clinical experience. Dr Minh prioritises the least invasive treatment options possible to help patients experience less pain, heal quickly, and maintain normal physiological functions, post-surgery.
Dr Minh was born into a family with a tradition of working in the medical field and he became knowledgeable about medicine by spending time with his father.
This experience fuelled Dr Vo Cong Minh’s decision to become an ENT doctor, driven by his passion to work within a specialty that requires both surgical skill and solid internal medicine knowledge.
Treating illness with intellect and empathy
Ms Nguyen Thi Thuy Hoa, an ENT nurse, has been very impressed by Dr Vo Cong Minh while working alongside him for the past three years at FV’s Otorhinolaryngology Department. She describes him as someone consistently embodying the qualities of “understanding” and “dedication” when working with patients.
Vo Cong Minh, MD, PhD, Head of the Otorhinolaryngology Department at FV Hospital
She recalls, “In his work, Dr Minh always puts himself in the patient’s shoes to provide optimal medical advice. He adheres to the principle of ‘Three Rights’: diagnosing the right illness, using the right treatment method, and doing so at the right time to ensure efficient, effective treatment.”
Dr Pham Long Dao, a colleague in the Otorhinolaryngology Department and a former classmate of Dr Vo Cong Minh, openly expresses his admiration for him: “Dr Minh is not only skilled in his specialty but also excels in management. He is straightforward and clear-cut in his work.”
True to his colleagues’ descriptions, throughout his 20 years of wearing the white coat, Dr Vo Cong Minh has adhered to an unwavering professional principle: always consider the best options for the patient. He believes that every patient who comes for a consultation is seeking the optimal solution. As a result, he thoroughly explains the causes of illnesses, associated risks, and appropriate treatment methods.
“I always remind myself to be cautious and put my utmost dedication into each case—no matter how big or small—so that when I leave the consultation room each day, I can be assured that I have done my best for the patients” Vo Cong Minh, MD, PhD shares.
In every case, Dr Minh advises patients based on medical literature and clinical experience. He prioritises the least invasive treatment options to minimise pain, promote faster healing, and ensure normal physiological functions post-treatment. His dedication and effort in every case are rewarded with the trust of his patients.
Vo Cong Minh, MD, PhD also shares tips for maintaining a healthy respiratory system with his patients. He explains, “In Vietnam, especially in large, polluted cities, respiratory infections and ENT conditions are quite common. While ENT symptoms are relatively less severe, we cannot rule out the possibility that they are early signs of more serious illnesses, such as hoarseness, which can be a warning of laryngeal cancer. Therefore, the best approach is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and undergo regular check-ups and screenings.”
Passion for continuous exploration and learning
Dedicated to the field of Otolaryngology, Vo Cong Minh, MD, PhD, constantly hones his knowledge and skills while staying up to date with the latest technological advancements. He aims to elevate medical standards in Otolaryngology in Vietnam to be on par with advanced countries in the region and around the world.
To achieve this, besides his clinical work, he utilises his limited free time to attend numerous advanced training courses abroad, including: Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic Surgery, University of Tennessee, Memphis, Tennessee, USA (2003); Basic & Advanced Sinus Surgery, Young Sinus Surgeons’ Forum, St. Luke’s Medical Centre, Manila, Philippines (2013 & 2014); Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Centre, San Antonio, USA (2015); Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery, North Neurosciences Hospital, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA (2015).
Dr Minh earned his PhD in Medicine, ORL, University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam (2021) and is regarded by his colleagues as one of the few otolaryngology specialists who excel both clinically and academically.
He shares, “Pursuing academic excellence requires significant sacrifices from doctors, with perseverance not measured in weeks or months but in years, sometimes decades. However, I am also encouraged by the growing recognition of the otolaryngology field in Vietnam and within the region.”
Vo Cong Minh, MD, PhD always keeps his key principle in mind when advising patients: treat every case with all his heart.
For nearly two decades working as an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, Dr Minh has worked in both public hospitals and private facilities. In each environment, he has learned invaluable experiences to enhance his expertise. One of the skills he deeply values since joining FV Hospital is effective communication with patients.
At FV, the medical team emphasises meticulous and empathetic communication, ensuring accuracy in conveying medical conditions. Above all, doctors are seen as close companions to patients.
Dr Vo Cong Minh explains, “In addition to seeking medical expertise, the foremost concern for patients when choosing a doctor is the quality of their interactions with the medical team. Delivering comprehensive and accurate information helps patients understand their conditions thoroughly and provides emotional reassurance, allowing them to feel calm and trust their doctors when seeking care.”
At FV Hospital, doctors address patients’ concerns not only based on their extensive medical experience but also through a spirit of empathy, active listening, and companionship.
Opportunities for career advancement at FV
Alongside his dedication to the mission of saving lives, Dr Minh is also passionate about contributing to the development of future generations of doctors. As department head, he views the work environment as a crucial factor for young physicians looking to enhance their skills and says the environment at FV Hospital strongly encourages doctors to push their limits.
Vo Cong Minh, MD, PhD, illustrates that doctors at FV Hospital have significant autonomy in treating their patients, guided by medical literature and ensuring oversight by peer review boards.
“Doctors at FV have high levels of independence and at the same time are responsible for what they propose for patients. This means doctors need to constantly update their knowledge and improve their decision-making skills. This model is quite similar to hospitals in the United States, where doctors mature quickly and become proficient through their independent decisions,” explained Dr Minh.
At FV Hospital, doctors also have access to state-of-the-art machinery and advancements in technology, which greatly support the treatment process.
“Equipment is crucial in treatment. For instance, having a nasal endoscopic surgical suite allows the team to perform minimally invasive surgeries, leading to less pain and faster recovery for patients. The rapid and timely availability of advanced technology and equipment effectively supports our medical team in applying advanced and highly effective treatment options for patients,” explained Vo Cong Minh, MD, PhD.
As an international hospital, FV is well-connected to leading experts around the world who help doctors to introduce advanced treatment methods to Vietnam. Dr Minh revealed that in the near future, the Ear Nose Throat (ENT) department plans to collaborate with a team of leading doctors in Singapore on cochlear implantation techniques for hearing-impaired patients—a method currently limited to only a few domestic top-tier facilities.
After nearly two decades dedicated to the medical profession, Vo Cong Minh, MD, PhD, highly appreciates the professional working environment that encourages continuous learning at FV Hospital.
Dr Minh says combining and exchanging expertise with international medical institutions will also enable the hospital to perform major surgeries and treat complex medical conditions. This will diversify healthcare services, elevate medical standards, and bring substantial benefits to patients.
