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Medical Tourism
Medical tourism in Vietnam is gradually moving beyond mere talk of potential to become more apparent in a few cities. From Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang, the story is no longer just about hospitals, doctors, or costs, but about how a journey of treatment, recovery, and stay is being pieced together into a more complete experience.
By Admin
Apr 17, 2026 · 5 min read
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For many people, seeking medical treatment in a different location isn't just about having a good doctor or a lower price. It's also about whether someone will pick them up, whether they understand what they're saying, where their family is, where they'll stay after the procedure, and how they'll manage if something unexpected happens. That's the most subtle part of a medical trip, and also the most crucial.
Medical tourism in Vietnam For a long time, there have been many grandiose slogans promoting it as a highly promising service. Medical treatment in Vietnam has many advantages. The medical tourism market in Vietnam is an emerging market. These things aren't wrong. But they are often too far removed from the reality for someone concerned about their health.
Recently, that story seems to be fading away. Not because Vietnam has become a regional medical center, but because medical tourism services have begun to emerge more clearly in specific locations, in quite concrete ways. The Ministry of Health is currently seeking opinions on the development direction of high-quality medical services linked to medical tourism. Five localities are often mentioned: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Quang Ninh, and Khanh Hoa. It is predicted that the size of this market could increase from approximately US$700 million in 2024 to nearly US$4 billion in 2033.vietnamnews.vn)
But if you want to see this story from where it's least ambiguous, perhaps you should look at it from this perspective. Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.
LIVE Ho Chi Minh CityMedical tourism is taking on the characteristics of a major city. Services are widespread and multi-layered, not confined to a single hospital. The city is trying to think beyond just diagnosis and treatment. They're talking about traditional medicine, dentistry, cosmetic surgery, general check-ups, obstetrics, and pediatrics. They're talking about connecting treatment with rest, recovery, and wellness. They're also talking about the sea, the forest, and spaces that can be linked to post-treatment relaxation. This way of thinking is very distinctive and appropriate for the scale of a major city: not just providing one service, but building an entire service ecosystem.news.tuoitre.vn)
But even in Ho Chi Minh City, one can immediately see the unfinished aspects. The city has hospitals. It has doctors. It has a sufficient range of services. But integrating all of these into a streamlined itinerary for visitors from other places is still incomplete. Models of wellness and recovery resorts are still scarce. The connection between treatment facilities and accommodation, rest, and subsequent care is not yet clearly defined. In other words, Ho Chi Minh City has a fairly strong "healthcare" component. The "travel" aspect is still in the process of being pieced together.
Da Nang But it's different. Here, the story is easier to understand from the start. Perhaps it's because the city itself already evokes a sense of relaxation. The sea is nearby. The pace of life is gentler. The distances between places aren't too great. When comparing treatment with recovery, Da Nang makes sense in a way that almost doesn't need much explanation. Local newspapers have told very specific stories: an Indian patient chose Da Nang for his eighth surgery; a Russian patient stayed for months to recover after a stroke; Da Nang Traditional Medicine Hospital recorded over 1,600 international visitors in a year, not to mention over 1,200 domestic visitors. Those numbers aren't enough to prove a market is mature. But they are enough to show that this is no longer just talk.en.baodanang.vn)
If Ho Chi Minh City demonstrates the density of a major medical center, Da Nang demonstrates something different: a much more pleasant feeling than simply being a place to receive treatment and then stay overnight. The city has also begun to talk about integrated healthcare and wellness packages within the next few years. It may sound like a small step, but it's actually a crucial one. A sector only truly takes shape when it stops talking in general terms and starts discussing things people can book, travel to, and use.
Of course, this is where the real problem emerges.
Seeking medical treatment elsewhere isn't just about finding the right doctor. It's about the entire journey before and after. Patients need language. They need insurance. They need guidance. They need family members to help with accommodation. They need to know who to call if something goes wrong. These things aren't glamorous. But they're what keep the whole trip from falling apart. It's also worth noting that public hospitals in Vietnam are often overcrowded and less suitable for foreigners; while private hospitals in major cities are often closer to international standards, but this brings with it questions about cost, coverage, and the consistency of the entire experience.
Therefore, perhaps the most important question to ask right now is not whether Vietnam needs to become a major destination for medical tourism. That expectation is premature. A more realistic goal is: what should Vietnam start doing to make this field clearer?
And currently, the two places that do this most clearly are following two different paths. Ho Chi Minh City This demonstrates the capacity of a large city, where medical treatment can be combined with many other services. Da Nang This highlights the allure of a seaside city, where treatment can be combined with recovery, rest, and a gentler pace of life. A place that is spacious and dense. A place that is airy and tranquil. Both are pulling medical tourism in Vietnam off the charts.
The remaining factors that need attention are the very ordinary things that determine the outcome.
Did the patient become less confused?
Did your family worry less then?
Is the entire process less disjointed?
Ultimately, a career in this field isn't decided by glowing recommendations. It's decided by the feeling of someone who's just landed at the airport, dragging their suitcase, clutching their file, and wondering: Did I come to the right place?
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