[Event Recap] SNITEM 2025 Webinar: Understanding the ASEAN Healthcare Market and Regulatory Framework

Introduction

The SNITEM 2025 Webinar, organized in collaboration with Globallians and featuring Source of Asia (SOA). It brought together leading medtech and healthcare professionals to explore the fast-growing ASEAN healthcare market.

The online event offered participants an in-depth overview of the healthcare landscape, market potential, and regulatory pathways for medical devices across ASEAN. Vietnam was presented as a key case study for companies looking to enter and grow in the region.

This event reflects a growing interest among French and European companies to expand in Asia, where rapid economic development, demographic shifts, and policy reforms are reshaping the healthcare ecosystem.

ASEAN: A Fast-Growing Healthcare Hub

The webinar opened with an analysis of ASEAN’s economic momentum and healthcare transformation. With more than 690 million inhabitants, ASEAN represents the third-largest population in the world and the fifth-largest global economy.

Between 2015 and 2023, ASEAN’s GDP increased by more than 50%, positioning it to become the fourth-largest economy globally by 2030.

Source of Asia warmly thanks SNITEM, Globallians, for this enriching exchange, and Minh Phong Ha Ngoc, healthcare expert, for his valuable contributions and shared expertise.

Speakers highlighted several factors fuelling healthcare growth:

• Population aging. The share of people aged over 60 will double by 2050, creating strong demand for medical technologies and elderly care.
• Rising middle class. By 2030, over 65% of Southeast Asians will belong to the middle-income group, driving expectations for quality healthcare.
• Digital transformation. Telemedicine, e-health applications, and AI-driven diagnostics are expanding fast, with digital health projected to grow 8–9% annually (2024–2028).
• Public investment. Governments are reinforcing healthcare infrastructure and universal coverage programs, particularly in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Together, these factors make the ASEAN healthcare market a strategic focus for medtech healthcare companies seeking to diversify their global footprint.

👉 Read our full analysis of the medtech market in Southeast Asia 2025-2026 to discover top trends and investment drivers across the region.

Vietnam as a Gateway to ASEAN

Drawing from concrete examples, SOA experts showcased Vietnam’s rapid healthcare modernization. The country’s health expenditure is projected to reach 24 billion USD in 2025, with the medical device market surpassing 1.8 billion USD.

Vietnam was presented as a key case study for companies looking to enter and grow in ASEAN’s HealthCare industry.

• Consistent GDP growth averaging 6–7% annually.
• Strong FDI inflows (over 33 billion EUR in 2023).
• Government incentives for healthcare investment and public-private partnerships.
• Accelerating digital-health adoption, supported by the Ministry of Health’s smart-care roadmap.

The session also detailed Vietnam’s medical device registration system, comparing it with EU MDR classifications and explaining timelines, documentation, and risk-based pathways. The practical segment provided participants with a clear understanding of how to navigate the regulatory process efficiently while remaining compliant.

Mr. Minh Phong Ha Ngoc, a healthcare expert, shared his expertise in medical registration.

👉 Learn about the country’s evolving landscape in our article on Vietnam’s Healthcare Industry and explore how local reforms are shaping the market

Expert Insights and Case Studies

Throughout the session, SOA experts shared real business cases and field insights on market entry, compliance, and distribution strategies across ASEAN. Their examples illustrated how companies can identify trusted partners, manage logistics, and accelerate time-to-market.

Source of Asia’s expert shared a successful case study in emerging Asia healthcare markets.

The event reinforced the importance of cooperation between SNITEM, Globallians, and local experts like Source of Asia to unlock opportunities in emerging healthcare markets.

Attendees learnt how companies can:

• Identify reliable distributors and regulatory partners.
• Develop tailored market-entry strategies for each ASEAN country.
• Manage product registration, compliance, and logistics effectively.
• Leverage local representation to accelerate go-to-market and minimize risk.

Thus, these insights resonated strongly with participants, especially those exploring Vietnam, Indonesia, and South Korea as entry points to Asia.

Look Ahead

The 2025 SNITEM × Globallians webinar proved once again the importance of collaboration between industry experts, trade networks, and local partners to unlock growth in Southeast Asia’s healthcare sector.

Source of Asia warmly thanks SNITEM, Globallians, for this enriching exchange, and Minh Phong Ha Ngoc, healthcare expert, for his valuable contributions and shared expertise during this session.

As ASEAN continues to rise as a global healthcare hub, SOA remains committed to helping international companies navigate complex regulations, build partnerships, and achieve sustainable growth in Asia.

Interested in exploring the ASEAN healthcare market or launching your next project in Southeast Asia and beyond? Contact our team for personalized insights and support.