Vietnam's laboratories are undergoing a digital transformation as healthcare providers, research institutes and pharmaceutical manufacturers increasingly invest in automation technologies to improve efficiency, quality and testing capacity. From robotic sample handling to AI-powered laboratory workflows, automation is becoming a critical component of modern laboratory operations across the country.
According to IMARC Group, Vietnam's Laboratory Automation Market reached US$30.4 million in 2025 and is forecast to grow to US$50.6 million by 2034. The market is being driven by accelerating healthcare digitalisation, increased investment in laboratory infrastructure and the rapid expansion of Vietnam's life sciences sector.
Laboratory automation refers to the use of robotics, software and integrated analytical systems to automate repetitive laboratory processes, improving productivity while reducing manual errors. Automation enables laboratories to process higher testing volumes with greater consistency and supports the increasing demand for molecular diagnostics, genomics, pharmaceutical research and clinical testing.
The market encompasses a broad range of technologies, including:
- Automated liquid handling systems
- Robotic specimen handling
- Total Laboratory Automation (TLA)
- Automated centrifugation and sorting
- High-throughput screening platforms
- Laboratory robotics
- Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
- Artificial intelligence-enabled workflow software
- Automated storage systems
- Digital laboratory analytics
Several structural trends are supporting continued growth across Vietnam.
Healthcare providers are modernising laboratory infrastructure to meet increasing demand for diagnostic testing, while pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are investing in automated research laboratories to accelerate drug development and improve quality assurance. At the same time, growing adoption of international accreditation standards is encouraging laboratories to implement technologies that improve traceability, reproducibility and operational efficiency.
Vietnam's expanding life sciences ecosystem is creating additional demand for advanced automation. Growth in molecular diagnostics, genomics, clinical research and precision medicine requires laboratories capable of processing large numbers of samples accurately and efficiently. Automated platforms are increasingly supporting polymerase chain reaction (PCR), next-generation sequencing (NGS), immunoassays and cell-based research, allowing laboratories to increase throughput without proportionally increasing staffing levels.
Artificial intelligence is becoming an important complement to laboratory automation. AI-enabled software can optimise workflow scheduling, predict equipment maintenance requirements, identify anomalies in laboratory operations and support automated interpretation of complex diagnostic data. When combined with robotics and cloud-connected laboratory management systems, these technologies enable laboratories to deliver faster turnaround times while maintaining high standards of quality control.
Globally, laboratory automation continues to experience steady growth. IMARC Group estimates the Global Laboratory Automation Market reached US$7.6 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to US$12.9 billion by 2034, reflecting increasing demand for high-throughput diagnostics, pharmaceutical research and laboratory efficiency. MarketsandMarkets similarly forecasts sustained growth driven by automation in drug discovery, diagnostics and scientific research.
Vietnam is also benefiting from wider investment in laboratory capacity across healthcare and industry. Beyond clinical diagnostics, demand for laboratory automation is expanding in food safety, environmental testing, biotechnology, academic research and pharmaceutical manufacturing. As Vietnam continues to strengthen its position within regional life sciences and pharmaceutical supply chains, laboratories are expected to play an increasingly strategic role in supporting research, manufacturing and quality assurance.
Leading companies operating in the global laboratory automation market include Thermo Fisher Scientific, Danaher (Beckman Coulter), Roche Diagnostics, Abbott, Siemens Healthineers, Agilent Technologies, PerkinElmer (Revvity), Tecan, Hamilton Company, Hudson Robotics, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences and Eppendorf. These companies continue to invest in robotics, artificial intelligence, digital laboratory platforms and integrated automation solutions that improve productivity and laboratory performance.
As Vietnam continues to modernise healthcare infrastructure and expand biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, laboratory automation is expected to become an increasingly important foundation for the country's life sciences ecosystem. For manufacturers of laboratory robotics, automation platforms, diagnostic equipment, software, consumables and laboratory informatics solutions, Vietnam represents one of Southeast Asia's most promising emerging markets.