[REVISION HISTORY]

Vietnam health insurance and healthcare reform updates

29 recorded revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-11-07 23:36 UTC → 2026-11-10 05:51 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Vietnam is implementing extensive reforms to its health insurance (BHYT) system, shifting from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. Healthcare spending is forecast to reach US$34.1 billion by 2028, following an average annual growth rate of 7 to 8 percent. To support long-term goals, the National Assembly approved the National Target Programme on healthcare, population, and development for 2026 to 2035, which includes approximately US$3.4 billion in funding for the 2026 to 2030 period. Strategic objectives include expanding cancer screening and implementing personal electronic health records by the end of 2026. To reduce the burden on central hospitals, authorities are strengthening primary healthcare. In Ho Chi Minh City, a 2026 to 2030 program is rotating doctors from 39 hospitals to local health stations. ~~However, oncology specialists and equipment remain scarce in remote regions like~~ In Quang Ninh province, the ~~Northwest and Mekong Delta. Recent developments include a proposal~~ medical network has been restructured from 208 entities down to ~~have the~~ 78, including reorganizing district health ~~insurance fund cover between 30%~~ centers into regional general hospitals and ~~70%~~ streamlining health stations. To support these changes, the province is increasing human resources and implementing remote consultations. Concurrently, the Ministry of Health is reviewing the ~~costs~~ list of drugs covered by health insurance to expand coverage for new-generation cancer ~~drugs~~ treatments at primary care facilities. This aims to reduce the ~~financial burden on patients. In provinces such as Lao Cai, digital transformation is being used~~ need for patients with chronic illnesses to ~~improve medical examination and treatment quality through coordination between health sectors and social insurance agencies.~~ travel to higher-level hospitals. Vietnam Social Security has issued ~~further guidance clarifying that~~ clarifications regarding coverage levels, noting that rates of 80%, 95%, or 100% do not represent the total payment percentage of a hospital bill. The fund only covers expenses within the approved scope and meeting specific regulatory conditions. Patients may remain responsible for co-payments, costs for medicines or services outside the approved list, expenses not meeting payment conditions, or price differences for requested services. ~~Final payments depend on the participant's coverage group, the approved scope, and compliance with registration and referral requirements.~~

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