The Korea Medical Devices Industry Association (KMDA) successfully wrapped up the 2026 K Med Expo & Saigon International Meditech Show in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from March 4 to 6, generating export consultations worth 94 billion KRW (approx. $68 million) and contract promotions worth 50.7 billion KRW (approx. $37 million). The event underscores growing opportunities for Korean aesthetic and medical device suppliers in Southeast Asia, a key target market for overseas buyers and distributors.
Event scale and participation
The fourth edition of K Med Expo featured 80 exhibitors, including joint pavilions from local governments and agencies such as the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, Gangwon Technopark, G Valley Medical Device Development Support Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Advanced Medical Industry Promotion Foundation, and Wonju Medical Device Industry Promotion Foundation. Over three days, approximately 6,600 visitors, including local hospital officials and buyers, attended the show.
Product categories and business outcomes
Exhibited products ranged from diagnostic devices, surgical instruments, and skin aesthetic devices to various consumables, showcasing the breadth of Korea's medical device industry. The event included B2B buyer invitations, company showcases for Vietnamese buyers, and two-day KOTRA export consultation sessions. These efforts resulted in 94 billion KRW in export consultations and 50.7 billion KRW in contract promotions, with on-site MOUs leading to contracts exceeding $1 million.
Regulatory and channel signals
A Korea-Vietnam Medical Device Regulatory Trends Seminar was held, featuring speakers from Vietnamese regulatory authorities, local medical institutions, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, and legal experts. The seminar covered medical device approval procedures, insurance listing systems, and the latest regulatory trends, providing practical insights for Korean companies entering the Vietnamese market. This regulatory clarity is crucial for overseas buyers and distributors evaluating supply-chain partnerships.
Sourcing context
For overseas importers and clinic buyers, the K Med Expo highlights Vietnam as a growing hub for medical aesthetics procurement. Korean suppliers demonstrated strong competitiveness in skin aesthetic devices and consumables, backed by government and agency support. Buyers should monitor follow-up contract developments and consider direct engagement with Korean manufacturers through KMDA or KOTRA channels for reliable sourcing.
What buyers should watch
Overseas distributors and clinic operators should track the 50.7 billion KRW in contract promotions, which may lead to new distribution agreements. The involvement of Vietnamese regulatory bodies and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service signals a structured market entry pathway. Buyers interested in Korean aesthetic devices or consumables can leverage KMDA's ongoing support programs for market expansion.
Source: Read the original report | Published: June 09, 2026