British Ambassador to Vietnam Giles Level handed over the title certificate to the minister at a ceremony held in Hanoi on Friday.

Level said the title was a recognition for Tiến’s contributions in scientific research collaborations between the two countries when she used to be the director of the HCM City Pasteur Institute.

He added that as Việt Nam’s health minister, Tiến has paid a lot of attention to enhancing international relations and research and training activities, especially with the university.

At the event, Tiến praised the United Kingdom and the Oxford University’s support to Vietnam, saying that the title awarded to her is a symbol of the co-operation between the two countries, especially in the healthcare field.

“Over the past years, Vietnam and the UK have carried out many joint research projects in different areas, including epidemiology, tropical diseases, antimicrobial resistance and emergency preparedness, contributing to capacity building and improving healthcare for Vietnamese people,” Tiến said.

Tiến also committed to starting more health research and training collaboration programmes and increase the co-operation between the two nations.