The reason why every year 40,000 high-income Vietnamese people go abroad for medical examination and treatment

According to the Ministry of Health, each year about 40,000 high-income Vietnamese people go abroad for medical examination and treatment, causing foreign currency loss.

Ho Chi Minh City Blood Transfusion Hematology Hospital, Facility 2.

The Ministry of Health is seeking comments on the draft Decision approving the Project on Developing High-Quality Medical Examination and Treatment Services and Promoting Medical Tourism, Attracting Foreigners and Affordable Vietnamese in the 2025-2030 Period.

10 years ago, Vietnam had the problem of keeping the rich to stay and receive treatment in the country, attracting foreigners working in Vietnam or people from other countries to Vietnam to use medical services. But this is the first time the Ministry of Health has built a comprehensive project with such a vision.

Every year, 40,000 high-income Vietnamese go abroad for treatment.

According to the assessment of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management (Ministry of Health), the unit that drafted the draft, currently only a very small number of public hospitals in Vietnam have achieved international quality certification.

Ho Chi Minh City Blood Transfusion and Hematology Hospital is the first public medical facility in our country to meet JCI international standards (American Hospital Quality Assessment Organization, announced in early 2025); Hung Vuong Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City) is the first public hospital to achieve ACHSI International Hospital Quality Certification (Australian Council for International Quality Standards)...

Independent quality assessment and publication of results at the national level have not been implemented, causing limitations in the recognition of foreign insurance companies for medical examination and treatment services in Vietnam.

In addition, the financial mechanism, facilities, legal or support services, communication and administration, human resource quality... are still inadequate. Payment for foreign medical experts does not have a flexible mechanism, suitable for high income levels. At the same time, the type of health insurance and commercial insurance in Vietnam is still limited, not meeting the medical examination and treatment needs of foreigners and high-income Vietnamese people.

"This situation causes about 40,000 high-income Vietnamese people to go abroad for treatment each year, causing foreign currency loss," the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management said.

Data from many years ago shows that Vietnamese people spend an estimated 2 billion USD each year on medical treatment abroad, a figure that could increase to 3-4 billion USD in the near future. At the end of 2023, World Data Lab forecasts that Vietnam will have 4 million more people joining the middle class in 2024 and 23.2 million people in 2030, making it one of the countries with the strongest middle class development in the decade (2020-2030).

On September 12, Dr. Duong Huy Luong, Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, said that with improved income, people clearly have a greater need for health care, especially high-quality medical services.

5 provinces and cities pilot medical tourism model integrating hospital and hotel

In the draft decision approving the project, the Ministry of Health set a target of having at least 15 hospitals nationwide meeting international quality standards (JCI or equivalent) by 2030, including at least 5 public hospitals.

Medical staff at Children's Hospital 1 in Ho Chi Minh City take care of patients

At the same time, at least 5 key localities (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Quang Ninh, Khanh Hoa) will implement a medical tourism model integrating hospitals - hotels - resorts - travel agencies. Regarding the reason for choosing these localities, according to the Ministry of Health, these are provinces and cities with strengths in tourism.

In phase 1 (from 2025-2027), the project will be piloted at a number of hospitals and localities with favorable conditions; develop the first 10-15 service packages combining healthcare - tourism - resort... Phase 2 (2027-2030) will expand the model nationwide.

Which majors are prioritized for developing service product packages?

Medical tourism service packages will be prioritized for development such as oncology, cardiovascular, in vitro fertilization, dentistry, aesthetics, rehabilitation, and high-quality periodic health check-ups. These are the specialties with competitive strengths of Vietnam compared to other countries in the region.

Along with that, health care service packages combining traditional medicine, relaxation and therapy; building products in the direction of combining acupuncture, acupressure, massage, mineral baths, traditional medicine with the natural environment and indigenous culture in localities with strengths are also developed.

Medical tourism is considered to have a strategic role in developing the health system, promoting economic growth and enhancing the country's position in the international arena.

In Thailand, low-cost heart and cosmetic surgery ($25,000-$30,000 compared to $100,000 in the US) generates $600-$700 million in revenue each year. In South Korea, cosmetic surgery and cancer treatment generate $4.3 billion in revenue while promoting K-pop culture. In Japan, onsen tourism and cancer treatment generate $13 billion in revenue, preserving culture and developing the local economy.

PV (synthesis)

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/ly-do-moi-nam-40-000-nguoi-viet-co-thu-nhap-cao-ra-nuoc-ngoai-kham-chua-benh-520666.html