In the context of strong growth in global medical tourism, Vietnam is emerging as a new destination thanks to its high-quality medical examination and treatment services, competitive costs and modern medical technology.
With the participation of ministries, branches and strategic orientation of the State, medical tourism is expected to become a key field, both bringing in large revenue and enhancing Vietnam's image in the world .
Potential market worth billions of dollars
According to international reports, the global medical tourism market has reached about 100 billion USD in 2024 and is forecast to continue to grow at a rate of 15-25% per year. Research in many countries shows that medical tourism brings clear economic and social efficiency.
In Thailand, heart surgery and cosmetic surgery, which cost only $25,000-$30,000 (compared to $100,000 in the United States), generate $600-$700 million in revenue each year. Malaysia earns about $1.7 billion from medical services that are 30-50% cheaper, while South Korea earns $4.3 billion from cosmetic surgery and cancer treatment.
Japan also recorded $13 billion in revenue from Onsen tourism combined with cancer treatment, both preserving traditional culture and promoting the local economy.
Vietnam is not outside the general development trend when the scale of the domestic medical tourism market has also recorded significant progress, with a value of about 700 million USD in 2024. It is forecasted that by 2033, this market could reach nearly 4 billion USD, equivalent to an average growth rate of 18% per year, a high level compared to the global average.
Professor, Dr. Tran Van Thuan, Deputy Minister of Health, said that medical tourism is becoming a strategic direction, combining high-quality medical examination and treatment services and attractive tourism experiences, both generating foreign currency revenue and enhancing the image and position of the country.
According to him, Vietnam has many favorable conditions to become a prominent destination on the world medical tourism map, in which the two most prominent advantages are competitive costs and increasingly affirmed professional qualifications.
In fact, complex medical techniques such as cardiovascular intervention, organ transplantation, IVF assisted reproduction, cosmetic dentistry... have been effectively implemented in Vietnam at significantly lower costs than in developed countries.
Citing a specific example, Dr. Ha Anh Duc - Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management (Ministry of Health) said that the cost of implant surgery in Vietnam ranges from 1,000-1,200 USD, while in the United States it is up to about 5,000 USD.
Waiting times in Vietnam are also minimized, while many countries require patients to wait from several months to half a year for a normal surgery. Experts believe that with the available potential, if invested synchronously and systematically, the Vietnamese market can completely make a breakthrough, bringing in billions of dollars each year from international visitors and overseas Vietnamese.
National strategy for medical tourism development
Vietnam is considered an attractive tourist destination with many world-recognized natural and cultural heritages such as Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha-Ke Bang, Da Nang and Nha Trang beaches or historical relics in Hanoi, Hue... Along with a stable socio-political environment, friendly people and the ability to organize major international events such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC), Asia-Europe Cooperation Forum (ASEM), Vietnam has many advantages to develop a tourism model combining relaxation and health care.
The trend of international tourists combining tourism, conferences with medical examination and treatment is also increasing rapidly. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, an average of about 300,000 foreign visitors came to Vietnam each year to use medical services, of which 40% were concentrated in Ho Chi Minh City.
To make the most of available potential, the Ministry of Health has developed a Project to Develop high-quality medical examination and treatment services and promote medical tourism, attracting foreigners and Vietnamese people with the ability to pay in the period 2025-2030.
According to Dr. Ha Anh Duc, the Project is not only limited to the economic development perspective but also has extensive interdisciplinary coordination: from health, tourism, finance, diplomacy to information technology.
In addition to standardizing the quality of medical services, the Ministry of Health and related units are developing comprehensive service packages for international visitors such as: short-term treatment packages, IVF packages, cosmetic surgery, cosmetic dentistry, post-treatment rehabilitation... These packages will be integrated into the tourism ecosystem through travel agencies and domestic and international tourism promotion programs. Customers from abroad, when in need, will be directly connected to licensed medical facilities, ensuring quality standards.
Another focus of the Project is to develop a set of quality criteria for medical examination and treatment facilities capable of receiving international patients, referring to the US JCI standards. This is the most stringent international standard today, considered a "passport" for hospitals wishing to provide services to the global market.
Not only focusing on the medical aspect, issues such as visa policy, international insurance payment mechanism, medical data connection, language support, technical infrastructure and tourist security are also being studied and adjusted to suit the long-term orientation.
According to Dr. Ha Anh Duc, the appeal of medical tourism in Vietnam lies not only in the low cost, but also in the high level of doctors, modern equipment and dedicated service attitude. Even many visitors from the Middle East - a region with strict religious and cultural requirements - also highly appreciate the medical services in Vietnam.
Customer satisfaction not only brings in revenue, but also contributes to building the national brand, reinforcing the image of Vietnam as a safe, friendly and professional destination.
According to the plan, the Ministry of Health will coordinate with the immigration agency to propose visa policy adjustments to facilitate international visitors to receive medical treatment. At the same time, the health sector will promote cooperation with international insurance companies, ensuring convenient payment for treatment packages, integrating medical data according to global standards.
In addition to its economic value, medical tourism also has long-term significance in improving treatment capacity, training human resources and standardizing medical management. For international visitors, this is not only a medical journey, but also an opportunity to experience Vietnamese culture, landscapes and people.
For domestic people, the development of this sector contributes to improving service quality, as hospitals are forced to meet international standards to participate in the global value chain.
Above all, medical tourism is opening a strategic direction for Vietnam in the process of in-depth development, competitiveness and bringing sustainable added value./.
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/du-lich-y-te-dong-luc-moi-cho-tang-truong-va-nang-cao-chat-luong-y-te-viet-nam-post1070422.vnp
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