FV shares its “non-punitive” culture at the Vietnam Private Healthcare Development Forum 2026

On the morning of 21 August 2026, at the thematic session on healthcare human resource development during the 2nd Vietnam Private Healthcare Development Forum, the presentation by Ms Pham Thi Thanh Mai, Chief Operating Officer of FV Hospital, offered a fresh, human-centred perspective on strategies for attracting and retaining healthcare talent.

The session was chaired by Dr Nguyen Ngo Quang, PhD, Director General of the Administration of Science Technology and Training (Ministry of Health), and Professor Honorary Academician Nguyen Van De, Chairman of the Vietnam Private Hospital Association. The event also brought together leading experts, managers and National Assembly Deputies, including Prof Nguyen Anh Tri, PhD (former Director of the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion) and Ms Nguyen Thi Thu Dung, PhD, Principal of Thai Binh Medical College.

Ms Pham Thi Thanh Mai, Chief Executive Officer of FV Hospital, at the Vietnam Private Healthcare Development Forum 2026 (Source: FV)

Building a reputation and the aspiration for a high-standard medical practice environment

Amid intense competition for high-quality human resources within the private healthcare sector, the presentation by FV Hospital‘s representative went beyond conventional management theory to address a fundamental issue: the emotional well-being and psychological safety of healthcare workers.

As a member of Thomson Medical Group (Singapore), with over 1,500 staff treating thousands of outpatients and inpatients daily, FV Hospital consistently considers its people as its most valuable asset. Speaking at the forum, Ms Thanh Mai revealed that internal surveys showed the top reason doctors and medical staff choose to work at FV goes beyond remuneration and benefits. It stems from the hospital’s reputation and strong brand.

This appeal originates from the mindset of its founders during FV’s establishment in 2003. The aspiration back then was not only to provide better conditions for delivering care to patients in Vietnam, but also to build a safe environment equipped with advanced medical technology and equipment. This enables Vietnamese doctors to fully develop  their expertise and apply the latest international techniques they have learned.

This professional working environment, backed by globally recognized quality accreditations such as JCI (Joint Commission International) and HAS (Haute Autorité de Santé), naturally helps FV attract and retain highly skilled professionals. “A right mindset leads to the right actions. The sustainable vision and noble mission of our founders laid the foundation for FV’s reputation, creating the premise to attract talents who want to work and dedicate themselves here,” emphasized Ms Thanh Mai.

A “Non-Punitive” culture that fosters  empathy across the FV Family

The most poignant moment of the presentation was how FV Hospital defined safety in a medical setting. At FV, safety is not limited to protecting patients; it also includes creating psychological safety for healthcare professionals through a strong culture of safety.

Instead of pointing fingers or assigning blame when incidents occur, FV encourages staff to report incidents honestly so the entire system can review, identify gaps, and refine procedures. Known at FV as a “non-punitive”, this culture helps every individual, from housekeeping staff to doctors and managers, feel psychologically safe in the workplace, allowing them to focus fully on their expertise.

Ms Pham Thi Thanh Mai shares FV’s approach to attracting and retaining talent (Source: FV)

In particular, Ms Thanh Mai shared how FV supports its team through challenging times. The emotional state of medical staff is often closely tied to their patients’ conditions. Joy can multiply with the birth of a healthy baby, but distress can arise when caring for a premature baby. In such cases, doctors, nurses, and midwives may experience what is known as the “second victim” phenomenon of unintended medical events. Therefore, timely psychological and emotional support should be provided to help them overcome difficulties and remain confident in their work.

“That is why, for our staff, we build FV Hospital as a family. Within a family atmosphere, we feel emotional connections that help foster a strong sense of belonging. Even today, I am deeply moved when former employees who have left FV still speak about the hospital with immense pride,” Ms Thanh Mai shared.

This genuine empathy, human-centric approach, and dedication to protecting employee mental health allow FV to create meaningful emotional connections. Beyond retaining talent, FV’s safety culture serves as the foundation for supporting the delivery of high-quality care to patients while contributing to higher standards of workforce management in Vietnam’s private healthcare sector.