This year, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) marks 35 years since its establishment in Vietnam (26 January 1991 – 26 January 2026). The anniversary also recognises 35 years of partnership with the Hospital for Tropical Diseases (HTD) in Ho Chi Minh City, a collaboration that has underpinned OUCRU’s work to generate evidence that improves patient care and strengthens responses to infectious disease threats.
OUCRU’s roots in Vietnam are closely linked to the clinical realities of the early 1990s, when severe malaria placed significant pressure on hospital services. Working alongside HTD clinicians, OUCRU helped embed rigorous clinical research in the hospital environment, supporting studies conducted to international standards and building practical research capability within routine care settings.
That early foundation shaped a long-term model for OUCRU’s work. It combined close partnership with frontline clinical teams, investment in laboratory and operational systems, and a focus on translating findings into improved treatment approaches and broader public health impact.
In the years since, OUCRU’s collaboration with HTD has expanded to reflect Vietnam’s evolving health priorities. Joint programmes have contributed to research and training across areas including emerging infections, antimicrobial resistance, diagnostics, clinical trials, public health, and outbreak response. The partnership has also supported the development of Vietnamese scientific leadership through sustained training and collaborative research programmes.
Today, OUCRU continues to work with HTD and wider partners to address urgent health challenges. At the same time, OUCRU invests in long-term capabilities that enable rapid, evidence-based responses when new threats emerge.
Marking 35 years is both a reflection on what has been built and a commitment to what comes next. OUCRU will continue to pursue high-quality, partnership-led research that delivers measurable benefit for patients and communities in Vietnam and beyond.