Awakening the potential of healthcare tourism in Vietnam.
In the world , wellness tourism is becoming an inevitable trend, with a growth rate of 15 - 20%/year. Vietnam, with its diverse natural advantages, rich medicinal resources and long-standing traditional medicine, is assessed by experts to have great potential to become a top destination. However, to turn potential into competitive advantage, our country's tourism industry needs systematic steps and a comprehensive strategy.
Vietnam has great potential to become a leading healthcare tourism destination.
Natural advantages and unique identity
Vietnam possesses valuable natural resources, with more than 400 hot mineral springs, many of which have medicinal and health-restoring values. Along with that is a treasure trove of traditional medicine, more than 3,800 plant species and hundreds of folk remedies from the Dao, Thai, Muong ethnic groups... This is a special foundation for the formation of tourism products associated with nature and indigenous identity such as herbal baths, acupuncture, acupressure, and health therapy.
Vietnam has built unique health tourism products from its rich medicinal resources and long-standing traditional medicine.
In addition, the diverse landscapes from the majestic mountains and forests in Sa Pa, Tam Dao, Da Lat, to the blue seas of Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc, Mui Ne... bring ideal spaces for relaxation and treatment. If we know how to combine nature, culture and traditional medicine, Vietnam can build unique health tourism products, different from other countries in the region.
Development realities and gaps
According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, in 2018, about 350,000 international visitors came to Vietnam for medical treatment and relaxation, spending up to 2 billion USD.
However, every year, about 40,000 Vietnamese people go abroad for medical tourism, spending billions of dollars. This figure shows that the domestic market has not been exploited effectively.
Tourism experts say that in Vietnam, many resorts have hot springs and spas, but lack medical services and health care that meet international standards. Vietnamese people still consider tourism mainly for fun and entertainment rather than investing in health. This shows a big gap for businesses and functional sectors to work together to shape development strategies.
Providing ideal relaxation and treatment space for visitors.
New trends and bright spots in Vietnam
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the trend of health tourism is increasing, especially with activities such as yoga, meditation, detox, spa and natural therapy. Grasping this, many localities and resorts have started to build specialized products. In Lao Cai, the health tourism model stands out with the Red Dao herbal bath product, using precious herbs from the mountains and forests. In the Central provinces, high-end resorts such as The Anam Cam Ranh, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay... have launched health complexes and organic farms, organizing outdoor yoga, combined with Himalayan swinging bell therapy. With the advantage of climate and organic medicinal herbs, Lam Dong has also developed a combined Eastern - Western medicine therapy service, applying local medicinal herbs such as artichoke, herbal tea, and fo-ti. These models show Vietnam's great potential in building wellness tourism products with their own mark, both competitive and different.
Himalayan singing bowl therapy for tourists.
Development policies and orientations
At many recent conferences on health tourism, many opinions said that the current weakness is the lack of a comprehensive development policy and a mechanism for linking tourism - healthcare - businesses. Therefore, to "awaken" the potential, it is necessary to have a long-term strategy and regional planning, invest in infrastructure and human resources such as building medical tourism - healthcare centers, training therapists and international doctors. Linking the medical - tourism industry to develop resort tours, combined with medical examination and treatment, enhancing the value of the experience. And most importantly, building a national brand, positioning Vietnam as a reputable and affordable health tourism destination.
Welcome good energy as the new day begins.
Notably, the Ministry of Health is developing a project "Developing high-quality medical examination and treatment services and promoting medical tourism, attracting foreigners and Vietnamese people with the ability to pay in the period 2025-2030" with the orientation of making a breakthrough, bringing the brand "Vietnam's healthcare" to the world. The project identifies 5 key localities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Quang Ninh, Khanh Hoa will pilot the integrated medical tourism model between hospitals - hotels and resorts. Along with that, the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation 2025-2030 between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism is an important milestone, creating a foundation for developing medical tourism and healthcare to become a spearhead in the national strategy on tourism.
Building a national brand, positioning Vietnam as a reputable and affordable health tourism destination.
With diverse nature, reasonable medical costs, increasingly modern medical expertise, and a unique treasure trove of traditional medicine, Vietnam is fully capable of competing in developing health tourism with countries such as Thailand, Korea, and Japan. If properly invested, health tourism will not only open up a new direction for the tourism industry, but also contribute to improving the quality of life and developing a green and sustainable economy for the country.
Source: https://vtv.vn/danh-thuc-tiem-nang-du-lich-cham-soc-suc-khoe-tai-viet-nam-100251013183352012.htm
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