The health sector prevents foreign currency "bleeding"
Dr. Duong Huy Luong - Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management (Ministry of Health) - said that Vietnam is facing an increasing demand for health services, as the population is increasing rapidly and entering the aging stage, along with the improvement of people's living standards. Statistics from many years ago show that every year, Vietnamese people spend about 2 billion USD to go abroad for medical examination and treatment. This figure may increase to 3-4 billion USD in the coming time.
The most searched services are cardiovascular surgery, oncology, infertility, organ transplantation, cosmetic surgery and rehabilitation.
In the country, many central hospitals such as Bach Mai, Viet Duc, Cho Ray, Ho Chi Minh City Oncology or Pediatric Center have mastered many difficult techniques, from liver transplantation, heart transplantation to radiotherapy using linear accelerators, modern cardiovascular intervention. Private and international joint ventures such as Vinmec, FV, Tam Anh, Hoan My have also continuously invested in facilities and a team of high-quality doctors.
However, Vietnam's health sector still faces many challenges: Overload in public hospitals, uneven services, cumbersome procedures...
Successful treatment for many foreign patients
In reality, many hospitals in Vietnam have continuously received and successfully treated foreign patients. Recently, a Cambodian patient came to Duc Giang General Hospital with prolonged lumbar spine pain, nerve compression making it difficult to move. After being diagnosed with disc herniation, the patient underwent endoscopic surgery. Just 24 hours after surgery, the patient was able to walk normally, no longer in pain.
Ms. N.T.N.A (30 years old), Vietnamese-American New Zealand, gave birth to her first child. The difficult birth process often causes complexity of the genitals and tendons, requiring surgery 3 times in New Zealand but not improving, and is expected to require multiple surgeries in 1 year. After taking care of her, she decided to return to Vietnam for treatment and leave her young child to her grandmother to take care of.
At the Rectal Surgery Center - sinhatrics Department, Viet Duc Friendship Hospital, she underwent successful surgery and was discharged after 10 days. The couple (Iranese nationality husband) expressed their excitement and sent a letter of thanks to the doctors and nurses.
Viet Duc Friendship Hospital said that in the past year, the center has received many cases of patients who have had abscess surgery and anorectal leakage many times in countries such as Poland, Hungary, Japan, the UK, New Zealand, but have not recovered, recurred, and had to seek treatment.
Marker to elevate the health system
In early August 2025, many new hospitals were inaugurated and started construction in a series of 250 projects to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2. This is an important step to help reduce the load on the above route.
Typically, the two facilities of the Central Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital and the National Children's Hospital in Hanoi were built with a scale of 300 beds, equipped synchronously, applying digital technology and artificial intelligence. Many specialized departments such as Cancer, Surgery, Allergy - Epidemiology - Arthritis, Mental Health and Rehabilitation will deploy high techniques, opening up life opportunities for patients.
In addition to new investment, special-class hospitals such as Bach Mai and Viet Duc strive to become specialized medical centers, on par with the region.
According to Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan, the health strategy for the period 2021-2030 focuses on high technology, innovation of treatment processes and taking patients as the center, thereby developing a sustainable health system and integrating internationally.
The Ministry of Health has developed a project "High-quality medical examination and treatment to attract foreigners and people with payment conditions in Vietnam". The project aims for a balanced health system: Not only ensuring access to services for all people, especially the poor and disadvantaged, but also meeting the needs of high-quality services with modern technology of those who are able to pay.
