Vietnam's Nha Trang Coastline to Get Automated Defibrillators

Khanh Hoa province is set to significantly enhance its emergency response capabilities by installing 80 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) across the region, with a particular focus on public areas. A substantial 25 of these life-saving devices will be strategically placed along the popular Nha Trang beach.

The initiative, launched on August 21, 2026, by the provincial Department of Health, aims to bridge the critical time gap in treating out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Officials highlighted that over 70% of cardiac arrest cases occur outside hospitals, and immediate defibrillation is crucial in many instances. The deployment is coupled with community first aid training programs.

According to the American Heart Association and the World Health Organization, the "golden hour" for saving cardiac arrest victims is typically within the first 3 to 5 minutes. The AEDs are designed for use by individuals with no medical training, providing voice prompts to guide them through analyzing heart rhythms and delivering shocks if necessary, while awaiting professional medical help.

Nguyen Long Bien, Vice Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, emphasized the integration of these AEDs into a smart digital health map for real-time location and coordination by the 115 Emergency Center. He also urged the health sector to train a rapid response network comprising staff from various public-facing roles, and encouraged tourism businesses to view participation in this community emergency network as a way to enhance their destination's value. "We are not just placing individual AEDs, but building a community network ready to act in emergencies," Bien stated, ensuring a safety net for residents and tourists alike.

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We are not just placing individual AEDs, but building a community network ready to act in emergencies. When a resident or tourist is in danger, there will always be a safety net ready to help them before specialized vehicles can arrive.