Integrating Medical English into Vietnamese Medical Curricula: A Competency-Based and AI-Enhanced Approach

In the context of Vietnam’s rapid higher education development and increasing global integration, the demand for specialized English instruction in the medical and healthcare sectors has grown significantly. However, there remains limited context-specific evidence on how Medical English can be systematically integrated into medical curricula. This paper explores the role of Medical English in developing sustainable language education strategies for medical students, with a focus on digital transformation and internationalization. Adopting a practice-informed conceptual approach supported by institutional data, the study draws on case-based evidence from a public medical university in southern Vietnam. The findings suggest that while the current curriculum provides a stable and coherent structure, further development is needed to enhance communicative competence in clinical contexts. In response, the paper proposes a competency based, AI-enhanced framework for integrating Medical English into medical training, combining clinical content, interactive learning, and digital tools. The study contributes a context-sensitive model that may inform curriculum development in similar educational settings, while highlighting the need for further empirical research to evaluate the impact of AI-supported instruction on measurable learning outcomes.