Professor and Doctor Nguyễn Đình Hối, a distinguished educator and healthcare leader in Vietnam, passed away in the early hours of June 29 at the age of 92. His family reported that he died due to old age and declining health. His son, Associate Professor Nguyễn Hoàng Bắc, shared a heartfelt farewell on social media, expressing the profound loss felt by family, colleagues, and students.

Nguyễn Đình Hối is remembered as a monumental figure in Vietnam's medical community, known for his integrity and dedication to the field. Born in 1934 in Thanh Hóa, he graduated from Hanoi Medical University in 1960. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he made significant impacts as an educator, administrator, and physician.

From 1993 to 2007, he served as the rector of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City, playing a crucial role in the development of one of the country's leading medical training institutions. He was a pioneer in establishing the School-Institute model in Vietnam, which integrated education, research, and clinical practice within a unified system. Additionally, he was the first director of the University Medical Center in Ho Chi Minh City, which evolved into a reputable medical center combining teaching, research, and treatment.

Throughout his career, Professor Hối supervised numerous doctoral theses and master's programs, authored ten textbooks, and published over 70 scientific reports. He held various important positions in professional councils, including chairing the Ministry of Health's Scientific and Technical Council and serving as vice-chair of the Vietnam Surgical Association.

His leadership in professional associations fostered scientific research, organized conferences, and expanded international cooperation, significantly enhancing the status of Vietnamese medicine. In 2025, he was posthumously awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 24th Asian Hospital Management Conference, recognizing his outstanding contributions to healthcare in Vietnam and the region.

Throughout his life, Professor Nguyễn Đình Hối received numerous prestigious awards, including the Second Class Resistance Medal (1985), the title of People’s Teacher (1996), and the Second Class Labor Medal (2002, 2009), reflecting his immense contributions to the development of surgery and Vietnamese medicine. His passing leaves a significant void in the medical community, especially among the generations of doctors he mentored and inspired.