Vietnam Sets Its Sights on Becoming a Leading Asian Medical Tourism Destination

Vietnam medical tourism

Vietnam is developing an ambitious national strategy to transform medical tourism into a significant growth sector, with the Ministry of Health finalising a medical tourism strategy covering 2026 to 2030 and a vision extending to 2040. The draft strategy aims to position Vietnam as a trusted healthcare destination in Southeast Asia by 2030 and ultimately among Asia’s leading medical tourism hubs.

Vietnam’s Growing Medical Tourism Appeal

Vietnam already has several factors supporting the development of international healthcare tourism, including experienced medical professionals, increasingly advanced technology and comparatively competitive treatment costs.

The country attracts international patients for dental care, fertility treatment, surgery, cardiovascular procedures, organ transplantation, traditional medicine and rehabilitation.

Vietnamese hospitals are also gaining international attention for specialist medical expertise. Major hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have developed services specifically for international patients, while medical facilities are increasingly working with tourism businesses to provide coordinated services.

Dental Tourism Offers International Opportunities

Dental treatment is one of Vietnam’s established medical tourism sectors.

International patients include foreign residents as well as overseas Vietnamese returning from countries including Australia, the United States and Japan. Dental procedures that can be completed within relatively short treatment periods can allow visitors to combine healthcare with family visits, sightseeing and holidays.

The combination of healthcare and tourism is particularly relevant for travellers who can arrange treatment during a longer visit to Vietnam.

Advanced Healthcare Expands the Market

Vietnam medical tourism

Vietnam’s medical tourism sector is extending beyond dentistry.

Major hospitals now provide advanced treatments including cardiovascular interventions, organ transplantation, in-vitro fertilisation and robot-assisted surgery. According to figures cited by Vietnam News Agency, around 300,000 foreign nationals and overseas Vietnamese travel to Vietnam each year for medical services, including more than 50,000 requiring inpatient treatment.

Fertility treatment is another growing area, with Vietnam developing a significant IVF sector in Southeast Asia. Traditional medicine, acupuncture, herbal medicine and rehabilitation are also attracting international interest.

Medical Care Combined with Tourism

Vietnam is developing tourism infrastructure around healthcare services, particularly in major cities and popular resort destinations.

Hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have introduced international-patient services and digitalised administrative procedures. Partnerships between healthcare providers and travel companies are also creating packages incorporating airport transfers, accommodation and post-treatment services.

Destinations including Da Nang and Phu Quoc are exploring integrated healthcare and resort models, while Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong are developing wellness experiences involving traditional medicine, mineral springs, rehabilitation and relaxation.

A 2040 Vision for Medical Tourism

Vietnam medical tourism

The proposed national strategy represents a move towards treating medical tourism as a coordinated national development opportunity rather than an emerging niche.

The Ministry of Health is simultaneously progressing broader national healthcare programmes for 2026-2030, including measures focused on healthcare capacity, digital transformation and improved health services.

For Vietnam, the challenge will be to combine medical expertise with international patient services, tourism infrastructure, quality standards and cooperation between hospitals, tourism businesses and local authorities.

If successfully developed, medical tourism could provide international visitors with another reason to choose Vietnam, combining healthcare and wellness services with the country's renowned culture, cuisine, beaches, heritage and natural attractions.

Vietnam Ministry of Health
Website: https://moh.gov.vn/
Address: 138A Giang Vo Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Vietnam National Authority of Tourism
Website: https://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/
Address: 80 Quan Su Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

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