Vietnam to pilot hospital-hotel-resort medical tourism in Hanoi
Vietnam will pilot integrated hospital-hotel-resort models, aiming to leverage healthcare and tourism strengths to position itself as a regional medical tourism hub.
THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam will pilot a medical tourism model that combines hospital, hotel and resort services in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, Quang Ninh and Khanh Hoa - five localities with strong tourism prospects.
A foreign tourist receives medical treatment at Vinmec International General Hospital. Photo courtesy by the company
The initiative is part of a draft plan to develop high-quality healthcare services and promote medical tourism between 2025 and 2030, jointly prepared by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The two ministries have recently signed a memorandum of understanding on developing sustainable cooperation between tourism and healthcare, aiming to build Vietnam into a reputable regional and global destination for both medical and travel services.
Under the plan, the scheme represents a strategic step to build premium medical packages that can both attract international patients and retain around 40,000 Vietnamese who currently seek treatment abroad each year, according to Ha Anh Duc, Director of the health ministry’s Department of Medical Services Administration.
The pilot will run from 2025 to 2027, focusing on developing 10-15 integrated healthcare-tourism service packages before scaling nationwide in 2027-2030.
These packages will cover advanced treatments (oncology, cardiology and orthopedics), traditional medicine combined with wellness stays and comprehensive health care such as screenings and rehabilitation.
By 2030, the plan requires at least 15 hospitals nationwide, including a minimum of five public hospitals, to meet international accreditation standards issued by reputable bodies such as the Joint Commission International (JCI).
Participating facilities will also need professional communication units capable of providing information in at least three languages (Vietnamese, English and either Chinese or Korean) to reach global markets.
At the National Conference on Medical Tourism and Sustainable Development in late August, Tran Van Thuan, Deputy Minister of Health, said that Vietnam has all the conditions to become an attractive destination for medical tourism.
He added that Vietnam’s hospitals and healthcare facilities are increasingly modern, while advanced medical techniques such as cardiac interventions, fetal procedures and organ transplants have affirmed the expertise of Vietnamese doctors on the global medical map.
At the same time, the country’s rich tradition of oriental medicine offers unique therapeutic and wellness products that few other countries can provide.
“Competitive costs, combined with a country blessed with more than 3,000 kilometers of coastline, rich cultural identity and friendly people, are important advantages that can set Vietnam’s medical tourism apart,” Thuan said.
To turn this potential into reality, Vietnam needs a long-term strategic vision, the deputy minister of health noted.
