Sy Duong-Quy is a professor of medicine, MD, PhD, FCCP and President of Council of Lam Dong Medical College, Director of Sleep Medicine Research Center of Vietnam. He is also currently the President of Vietnam Society of Sleep Medicine (VSSM), and Chair of Sleep Promotion of Asian Society of Sleep Medicine (ASSM). He is the President of Vietnam Associations of Insomnia, Joined Association of Respiratory Diseases and Sleep Medicine, and Sound Therapy and Sleep Medicine. As an active participant in World Sleep Day Dr. Duong-Quy has been instrumental in promoting sleep education for medical professionals in Vietnam. He acquired accreditation from the Ministry of Health for VSSM to train sleep doctors along with establishing sleep medicine training programs in different hospitals and universities. Recently, the Sleep Medicine Research Center of Vietnam opened with Dr. Sy Duong-Quy as Director.
How many years have you been in the field of sleep medicine?
I have been actively involved in the field of sleep medicine and research for over 20 years. My work spans clinical practice, academic research, and international collaboration on sleep-related disorders, especially in the area of respiratory sleep medicine.
What led you to the field of sleep medicine?
My background in internal medicine and respiratory medicine naturally led me to sleep medicine. Here, I saw a significant overlap—particularly in disorders like obstructive sleep apnea. I was struck by how underdiagnosed and misunderstood sleep disorders were, despite their widespread impact on public health. This inspired me to focus my work on clinical management and scientific understanding of sleep-related breathing disorders.
Two years after learning about sleep apnea in Paris, I returned to Vietnam where I treated my first patient with sleep apnea with a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine sent from family members in the United States (1998). It was satisfying to see this patient restored to restful health which continues today.
I became interested in insomnia and other sleep disorders. People with insomnia were seeing psychologists for treatment because there were no sleep doctors in Vietnam. Now there are sleep physicians, trained by VSSM with World Sleep Society diplomas, in Vietnam’s major cities where people can seek help.
Why is sleep advocacy important to you?
Sleep affects every aspect of health—from brain function and cardiovascular health to immunity and emotional well-being. Yet, it is often neglected in both public discourse and clinical practice. I believe that advocacy and research in sleep medicine are essential to bridge this gap and to promote sleep as a foundational pillar of preventive health and medical care.
Close to a million people in Vietnam suffer from sleep apnea and there aren’t enough sleep doctors to treat them all. As part of the first generation of sleep doctors in Vietnam, I feel obligated to teach others. Sleep medicine is now included as a program in two universities in Vietnam. We administer the World Sleep Society exam regularly to train medical professionals in the field of sleep.
Currently there are about 30 standardized sleep labs, certificated by VSSM, in hospitals and clinics in Vietnam. However, some people are hesitant to go to a hospital. For uncomplicated cases, I will administer a sleep test in a hotel, at home, or in a sleep lab. I have done up to six at a time in a hotel.
What is one important thing you want people to know about sleep?
Sleep is not a luxury—it’s a biological necessity. Chronic sleep deprivation and untreated sleep disorders silently undermine health, productivity, and quality of life. Prioritizing good sleep is as vital as a balanced diet or regular physical activity.
What are you most excited about?
I’m particularly excited about advances in digital health, wearable technology, and personalized sleep medicine. These innovations offer real-time sleep monitoring and individualized interventions, which have the potential to revolutionize how we diagnose and manage sleep disorders.
We have developed an application, available through Google Play called Sleep Care VSSM to help monitor sleep health. I am also interested in the projects done by my colleagues about smart beds which can measure all sleep stages with non-contact sensors, smart pillows, and smart cameras to detect sleepiness in drivers.
As a physician-scientist and educator, I see it as my responsibility to train the next generation of sleep specialists, raise awareness among policymakers, and educate the public. Sleep health must be integrated into national health strategies. I am committed to supporting initiatives that advance access to care and sleep health equity globally.