About 256 local and foreign companies from 20 countries and territories around the world, featuring hundreds of display booths will join the event.

The expo presents the latest medical and pharmaceutical products, a wide range of medical equipment and instruments, ophthalmological and dental products.

It is a chance for enterprises to introduce their products and services, exchange experiences and seek for counter-parts.

The value of the Vietnamese pharmaceutical market is set to increase to US$5 billion in next six months and reach US$8bn by 2020, at a compounded annual growth rate of 15.4%, according to research from GlobalData, a research and consulting firm.

Ubifrance Vietnam said that Vietnam's medical equipment imports from foreign markets were estimated at over US$634 million in 2012 and will reach a staggering US$1 billion by 2015.

At present, 90% of medical equipment used in hospitals and medical stations in the country are imported from abroad.

(Source: SGGP)