Ho Chi Minh City opens Digital Citizen Station offering free healthcare services

The initiative, led by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Security in coordination with relevant agencies, is built on Vietnam's national electronic identification and authentication platform, VNeID, integrating digital public services, healthcare, public security, and other civic utilities.

The station operates under the supervision of the department and the Ministry of Public Security's Police Department for Administrative Management of Social Order.

The facility, operating 24/7, is the city's sixth since the model was first introduced in October 2025, according to news site VnExpress.

Healthcare services at the station are provided by Long Chau, a private pharmacy and vaccination chain operated by FPT Retail, a member of Vietnamese retail and technology conglomerate FPT Group.

Long Chau was selected to operate the station because of its nationwide network, its advanced technology platform that meets stringent information security standards, and the longstanding trust it has earned among millions of Vietnamese consumers.

The company was also among the first healthcare providers in Vietnam to integrate its services with the VNeID platform.

A Long Chau representative said the model's value lies not only in the range of services it offers but also in making free daily health monitoring and medical support more accessible in busy public spaces.

The representative added that the company would continue improving smart healthcare services to encourage proactive health management and support Vietnam's digital healthcare development.

At the station's digital health kiosk, users log in with their citizen identification card or VNeID account and verify their identity through biometric authentication.

Equipped with hospital-grade medical devices, the kiosk allows users to check health indicators such as height, weight, body mass index (BMI), blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), blood pressure, heart rate, body fat, and body water levels free of charge.

Users can also schedule vaccinations, consult doctors online, access digital pharmacy services, and have medications delivered free of charge.

Available around the clock, the station enables residents to monitor their health at their convenience, while visitors can also access its digital healthcare services at any time.

Since opening, the station has become a convenient place for residents and workers downtown to monitor their health.

Nguyen Van Hung, a 67-year-old resident of Saigon Ward, said he regularly visits the station after his morning exercise to monitor his blood pressure and heart rate.

"At first, I thought the equipment would be difficult to use because it looked just like the machines at a clinic, but it turned out to be very simple thanks to the clear instructions," Hung said.

"Since the station opened here, I have become more diligent about monitoring my health. When I notice my blood pressure or cholesterol is higher than usual, I can adjust my routine right away. I hope this model will be expanded to benefit more people."

Bui Thi Minh, 46, who frequently works outdoors near Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, said she first used the station after experiencing dizziness and exhaustion following hours of working under the sun.

Her colleagues took her to the station, where she checked her temperature and blood pressure before consulting a doctor.

"My job keeps me busy until late at night, so I rarely have time for health check-ups. Fortunately, this station is open 24 hours a day, so whenever I have a few free minutes, I stop by. It's right on my way, comfortable, modern, and completely free. I'd give it 10 out of 10," Minh said.

Before the Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street station opened, the Digital Citizen Station model had already been introduced at several major urban developments across the city, including Celadon City, Vinhomes Ba Son, Diamond Island, and Cityland Park Hills.

Authorities plan to expand the network by establishing additional stations across the city and in other localities.