Vietnam targets bigger share of global medical tourism as hospitals expand int'l services

A major private hospital in Hanoi recently treated an Australian patient with prostate cancer, adding to a growing number of international patients from countries including Indonesia, Cambodia, and Singapore who have sought treatment in Vietnam.

According to an incomplete estimate cited by health officials, about 300,000 foreign patients travel to Vietnam for medical treatment each year. 

The figure includes overseas Vietnamese, expatriates living in the country, patients from neighboring countries, and an increasing number of people choosing Vietnam primarily for the quality of care rather than geographic proximity.

Competitive advantages

Speaking at a medical tourism conference in Hanoi on Friday, Duong Huy Luong, deputy head of the Ministry of Health's Agency of Medical Services Administration, said the global medical tourism market was worth an estimated US$100 billion to $180 billion annually, serving 14 million to 16 million patients and expanding by 10 percent to 12 percent each year.

Luong said Vietnam has emerged alongside Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia as a regional destination for medical tourism, particularly in dentistry, assisted reproduction, intensive care, traditional medicine, and cosmetic procedures.

Health experts said Vietnam's competitive pricing, medical expertise, modern equipment, and relatively short waiting times have become key advantages for attracting international patients.

Officials from Hanoi's health department said dental implant procedures in Vietnam typically cost about a-quarter of prices in developed countries while offering comparable quality, with many clinics investing heavily in advanced diagnostic and treatment equipment.

However, health officials noted that Vietnam faces challenges in expanding the sector, including stronger cooperation with international insurance providers and broader promotion of medical tourism packages that combine treatment with travel services.

Vietnam currently has 10 healthcare facilities accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI), including public hospitals, compared with 65 in Thailand. 

Officials said international accreditation is increasingly important because many overseas insurers require it before covering treatment costs.

Hospitals expand capacity

Hospitals across the country are increasing investment in facilities and equipment to compete for international patients.

Hanoi plans to install Vietnam's first proton therapy system for cancer treatment and is expanding its second oncology hospital. 

Nearby, the second campuses of Bach Mai Hospital and Viet Duc Hospital have been equipped with facilities and technology comparable to international hospitals.

In Ho Chi Minh City, hospitals including the University Medical Center and Cho Ray Hospital are viewed as having strong potential to serve more international patients.

Private healthcare providers are also expanding. 

Vinmec has invested in a robotic surgery center equipped with systems including Da Vinci XI, Rosa, Cori, and Hugo RAS, while Tam Anh General Hospital has announced investments in advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies.

Ha Anh Duc, head of the Ministry of Health's Agency of Medical Services Administration, said dental clinics in Ho Chi Minh City alone generated trillions of Vietnamese dong in revenue from foreign patients last year.

He said Vietnam's skilled medical workforce and recent investments in infrastructure create opportunities to attract more overseas patients, but added that hospitals must continue to meet rising domestic demand, including a nationwide free health screening program launched this year.

Health officials also said continued professional training for physicians will be essential if Vietnam aims not only to attract patients but also to strengthen its position as a regional center for medical innovation and specialist training. 

Recent years have seen foreign doctors travel to Vietnam to study techniques including endoscopic thyroid surgery, cardiovascular treatment, and in vitro fertilization.