Vietnam health insurance shields patients as medical costs rise

In Ho Chi Minh City, chronic kidney‑disease patient Lê Văn Thành credits the national health insurance (BHYT) for covering hundreds of millions of đồng in treatment, saying, "Without the BHYT card my family would have been ruined." The story underscores BHYT’s role in Vietnam’s social safety net and ongoing efforts to expand coverage, especially for vulnerable groups.

In a separate case, 40‑year‑old Vũ Văn Trung from Hưng Yên province suffered severe electrical burns while working, losing both hands and facing potential amputation of his right leg. Lacking health insurance, his daily treatment costs are estimated at 30–40 million đồng. Doctors stress the urgent need for financial support, highlighting the broader challenge for uninsured workers confronting high medical expenses.

Both accounts illustrate the critical impact of health‑insurance status on patients’ ability to afford care in Vietnam.