Vietnam targets Southeast Asian medical tourism leadership

Vietnam's Ministry of Health is drafting a development plan for medical tourism for the 2026-2030 period. The initiative aims to establish the country as a competitive medical tourism destination in Southeast Asia, with a target of attracting 750,000 international visitors by 2030.

Currently, an estimated 300,000 international visitors utilize medical services in Vietnam annually, generating between $1 billion and $2 billion in total spending. This revenue includes medical costs as well as accommodation, transportation, and dining. Ho Chi Minh City currently leads this sector, accounting for approximately 40% of international visitors, followed by Hanoi.

The nation's medical infrastructure includes 2,107 hospitals and over 105,000 doctors. A specialized network of 103 hospitals, including 13 high-tech facilities located in Hanoi, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City, provides advanced services such as robotic surgery, organ transplantation, cardiovascular interventions, cancer treatment, and assisted reproduction.