VSAVA and NEL Animal Medical Foundation Launch Vietnam’s First Comprehensive Veterinary Cardiology Training Series, Strengthening Regional Collaboration in Animal Healthcare
The Vietnam Small Animal Veterinary Association (VSAVA) and the NEL Animal Medical Foundation (NEL) have joined forces in a groundbreaking collaboration that marks a milestone in veterinary medicine in Asia. Together, the two organizations have launched Vietnam’s first-ever specialized veterinary cardiology training course, establishing a new benchmark for professional education and international exchange between Vietnam and South Korea.
This initiative represents far more than a single educational program—it signifies the beginning of a sustained partnership designed to advance veterinary standards, promote clinical excellence, and foster collaboration among veterinarians throughout Asia.
A Historic First for Vietnam’s Veterinary Community
In October 2025, the two organizations co-hosted the inaugural session of the “Comprehensive Veterinary Cardiology Series”, a seven-part training course that brings together top veterinary professionals, educators, and clinical experts from both Vietnam and Korea. The first session took place from October 11th to 12th in Ho Chi Minh City, attracting veterinarians from across the country eager to strengthen their cardiology expertise.
This landmark event marks Vietnam’s first specialized veterinary cardiology course, opening a new chapter in the nation’s journey toward advanced veterinary specialization. For a long time, Vietnam’s veterinary community—though rich in dedication and experience—has faced limited access to specialized post-graduate training opportunities. Through this partnership, VSAVA and NEL are now bridging that gap, offering a structured and internationally connected learning platform tailored to Vietnam’s emerging generation of animal healthcare professionals.
A Collaborative Vision to Advance Veterinary Medicine in Asia
The partnership between VSAVA and NEL Animal Medical Foundation symbolizes a broader regional mission: to create a network of veterinary collaboration across Asia. This partnership combines Vietnam’s growing veterinary landscape with Korea’s advanced research and clinical capabilities.
“We are delighted to share the expertise and experience of both nations through this collaboration with VSAVA,” said Director Deok-ho Lim of NEL Animal Medical Foundation. “We hope this special training, run like a seven-session school, will be an opportunity for Korean and Vietnamese veterinarians to grow together, while advancing veterinary cardiology throughout Asia.”
The sentiment reflects the shared belief that progress in veterinary medicine requires cooperation and knowledge exchange across borders. By linking the academic and clinical communities of two nations, the initiative fosters not only skill development but also mutual respect and long-term partnership.
Inside the “Comprehensive Veterinary Cardiology Series”
The Comprehensive Veterinary Cardiology Series is structured as a seven-part curriculum, each focusing on critical aspects of cardiovascular medicine for small animals. The course’s theme—“Join the cardiology gold rush during the golden hour with NEL”—captures both the enthusiasm and the urgency behind this initiative: to equip veterinarians with life-saving cardiac diagnostic and treatment skills that can dramatically improve patient outcomes.
The first session centered on “Echocardiography Training,” one of the most vital diagnostic tools in modern veterinary cardiology. Participants engaged in hands-on sessions, learning to identify cardiac abnormalities, interpret echocardiographic findings, and apply imaging insights to clinical decision-making.
The training combined theoretical lectures with intensive practical workshops, ensuring that veterinarians gained both the knowledge and technical competence needed to perform echocardiographic assessments independently. Topics included:
- Fundamentals of cardiac anatomy and physiology in small animals
- Common cardiac diseases in dogs and cats
- Echocardiographic image acquisition and interpretation
- Integrating diagnostic imaging with clinical management
- Case-based problem solving and discussion
The session’s comprehensive design reflected NEL’s global-standard approach to continuing veterinary education, emphasizing evidence-based practice, clinical accuracy, and hands-on skill development.
Expert-Led Instruction: Bridging Clinical Excellence Across Borders
The debut session featured distinguished Korean veterinary cardiologists and educators, including Director Son Seong-ji of NEL Animal Medical Foundation and Professor Yoon Hak-young from Jeonbuk National University. Both experts brought decades of combined experience in cardiac medicine, advanced imaging, and academic teaching.
Their lectures and demonstrations offered participants direct access to cutting-edge Korean veterinary practices—ranging from non-invasive diagnostic methods to emerging treatment protocols for canine and feline heart diseases.
The interactive nature of the training allowed for real-time dialogue between Korean instructors and Vietnamese participants, promoting the exchange of clinical insights, case studies, and diagnostic challenges. These discussions not only enriched the learning experience but also laid the groundwork for future collaborative research and cross-country case consultations.
Enthusiastic Response from Vietnam’s Veterinary Community
The course received overwhelming enthusiasm from participants, who praised its depth, relevance, and practical orientation. For many veterinarians, this was their first exposure to an internationally designed, specialty-specific training conducted at such a high professional level.
Participants commended the program’s balance of theory and clinical application, noting how it immediately enhanced their ability to diagnose and manage cardiovascular conditions. The opportunity to learn directly from internationally recognized experts added further value, boosting confidence and professional motivation among attendees.
As one participant summarized, “This course has opened a completely new dimension of veterinary practice in Vietnam. Cardiology is no longer an abstract concept—it’s a tangible skill we can apply to save animal lives.”
Partnership Support and Regional Collaboration
The success of this initiative was made possible through strategic collaboration among several key partners. Local Vietnamese company Saigon Ventures Inc. provided on-the-ground organizational support, while SV CROSSBORDER, a Singapore-based organization specializing in veterinary education across Asia, coordinated logistics and ensured the program’s regional reach.
This tri-national cooperation—Vietnam, Korea, and Singapore—reflects a growing movement toward cross-border knowledge-sharing in veterinary medicine. By leveraging expertise and resources from multiple countries, the partners have established a model that could be replicated in other regions seeking to strengthen professional veterinary education.
The program’s long-term vision is not limited to Vietnam. Both VSAVA and NEL plan to expand future sessions into a regional network of veterinary cardiology education, potentially involving participants from neighboring countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Strengthening the Foundations of Veterinary Cardiology in Vietnam
Veterinary cardiology is still an emerging specialty in Vietnam, but its importance is rapidly growing as companion animal care becomes more advanced and demand for specialized services increases. Until now, most Vietnamese veterinarians interested in cardiology had limited access to formalized training or had to seek education abroad.
The launch of this course represents a transformative milestone, providing structured, locally available education that meets international standards. It also signals a shift in how veterinary specialization is valued and developed within the country—moving toward a more professionalized and knowledge-driven future.
Through the NEL–VSAVA collaboration, young veterinarians can now build their careers without leaving Vietnam, contributing to domestic expertise while benefiting from global insights. This directly supports Vietnam’s broader goal of becoming a regional leader in animal healthcare and veterinary research.
The Future: From Training to Transformation
As the Comprehensive Veterinary Cardiology Series progresses through its seven modules, expectations are high that the initiative will produce a new generation of highly skilled veterinary cardiologists in Vietnam. These professionals will not only elevate the standard of care for companion animals but also help disseminate advanced diagnostic and therapeutic techniques across the country.
NEL Animal Medical Foundation and VSAVA have expressed their intention to continue this educational collaboration beyond the cardiology series. Future plans may include specialized courses in diagnostic imaging, emergency medicine, and internal medicine, all designed to strengthen the foundations of Vietnam’s veterinary ecosystem.
This long-term vision aligns with the broader mission of NEL—to promote excellence in veterinary practice across Asia through education, innovation, and shared expertise. It also resonates with VSAVA’s commitment to providing Vietnamese veterinarians with continuous professional development opportunities that meet international benchmarks.
A Shared Commitment to Growth and Excellence
In closing, Director Deok-ho Lim of NEL Animal Medical Foundation summarized the spirit of the collaboration:
“We are delighted to share the expertise and experience of both nations through this collaboration with VSAVA. We hope this special training, run like a seven-session school, will be an opportunity for Korean and Vietnamese veterinarians to grow together, while advancing veterinary cardiology throughout Asia.”
This partnership is not only a symbol of academic and clinical exchange—it’s a catalyst for a stronger, more connected veterinary community in Asia. With each session, the initiative moves closer to realizing its vision of an integrated, high-standard regional network of veterinarians united by shared knowledge and a passion for animal health.
The launch of Vietnam’s first specialized veterinary cardiology course stands as a landmark achievement—one that embodies collaboration, progress, and the shared pursuit of excellence across borders.
For updates and further information about future sessions of the Comprehensive Veterinary Cardiology Series, veterinary professionals can contact VSAVA or visit NEL Animal Medical Foundation’s official website.
