Vietnam proposes medical tourism development plan through 2030

The Vietnamese Ministry of Health is drafting a scheme to develop medical tourism for the 2026–2030 period, aiming to establish a professional, safe, and high-quality service chain by 2030. The initiative seeks to build Vietnam’s international brand in the sector, enhance medical service quality, and reduce the necessity for citizens to seek treatment abroad.

The draft identifies eight priority locations for key medical tourism destinations: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Da Nang, Hue, Khanh Hoa, and An Giang (Phu Quoc). These sites will be selected based on medical service capacity, professional quality, infrastructure, tourism resources, and transportation connectivity.

In Khanh Hoa, the province has already issued a development scheme for 2026–2030 with a vision toward 2045. The province aims to leverage its climate and coastal advantages to create a healthcare ecosystem integrated with wellness and local identity, targeting at least 20 medical tourism products and services, including traditional medicine, rehabilitation, and wellness retreats.

The medical tourism market in Vietnam is estimated at approximately $700 million in 2024, with projections suggesting it could reach nearly $4 billion by 2033, representing an average annual growth rate of 18%.