An Expat’s Guide to Hospitals in Vietnam
If you are planning travel or even relocation to Vietnam, one of your major questions should be accessing healthcare should you need it. Wherever you are in the world, you are never immune to the unexpected happening medically; injuries and emergencies that require medical attention can happen anywhere.
By having an idea of what you can expect as well as a plan in place, you can be ready to face the unexpected that comes with traveling to new lands. Here is a guide on how to access healthcare through hospitals in Vietnam.
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Does Vietnam Have Good Hospitals?
As of 2016, there were a total of 1,346 hospitals in Vietnam, including 1,161 public hospitals and 185 private hospitals. When trying to determine whether a country’s hospitals are good, the distinction between public and private makes all the difference.
Like many countries, Vietnam’s hospitals are categorized into different types. While Vietnam is still working to provide universal healthcare to all its citizens, approximately 80% are currently covered. Additionally, the government covers the full and partial healthcare costs of certain low-income groups, as well as specific professions.
This has led to a system where public hospitals are primarily designed to serve those receiving government or government-subsidized healthcare. In contrast, private hospitals cater to those who can afford them and find the public system inadequate.
Public Hospitals
If you are coming from Western Europe or North America, Vietnam’s public hospitals may not meet the standards to which you are accustomed.
Additionally, it is likely that the doctors, aides, and nurses will only speak Vietnamese. Western visitors to Vietnam are likely to find the public hospitals overcrowded and inadequate.
Private Hospitals
On the other hand, many private hospitals are specifically geared towards Western Expats and visitors.
In major cities, private hospitals hire doctors from countries such as Korea, France, Japan, and the United States, as well as Vietnamese doctors who have received international training.
Language barriers are much less likely to be a problem for those who speak English or French.
Rural Hospitals vs Urban Hospitals in Vietnam
In the case of Vietnam, it makes a huge difference! It is important to remember that not too long ago, expats routinely left Vietnam entirely and traveled to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, or Singapore for medical procedures.
With Vietnam’s economy growing, the booming tourism industry, and the country’s increasing appeal to expats and immigrants, the healthcare industry has experienced significant growth overall.
This is especially true for private healthcare that is geared towards offering the care Westerners are used to. However, the growth in the private healthcare industry and in private hospitals is concentrated almost entirely in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
If you plan to travel to more rural areas of the country, it is essential to know that you will likely need to return to one of these two cities before accessing the type of medical care you are accustomed to.
There are remote areas where even access to the public healthcare system will be limited or non-existent. Those traveling outside the larger cities will find public hospitals perfectly adequate for dealing with smaller medical needs without requiring extra travel.
However, if you do not speak Vietnamese, you should plan on bringing a translator with you to the public hospital.
Best Hospitals in Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City International Hospital is the highest-ranked international hospital in the country. With a capacity of 320 beds, it boasts 21 specialties, including general surgery, orthopedics, cardiology intervention, and neurology intervention. It serves over 400,000 patients annually through its outpatient system, with 25% of those patients being foreigners.
City International Hospital
No. 3, Street 17A, Binh Tri Dong B Ward, Binh Tan District
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: + 84 28 6280 3333
Fax: + 84 28 6290 8800
Vietnam’s largest and most well-regarded hospital chain is Hoan My Medical Corporation, with seven hospitals and one clinic located across the country. It has 1.8 million patient visits annually, and its specialties also encompass a wide range, including gastroenterology, cardiology, gerontology, obstetrics, gynecology, and pediatrics.
Hoan My Medical Corporation
11th Floor, TNR Tower, 180-192 Nguyen Cong Tru Street
Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 028 3820 6001
Fax: +84 028 3820 7031
List of Recommended Hospitals for Expats in Vietnam
The majority of Vietnam’s private hospitals, especially the most highly regarded ones, are centered in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
In addition to recommended hospitals, we are including a dental clinic at the end of each list, because just like medical emergencies, dental ones can strike at any time.
Hospitals in Hanoi
Franco-Vietnamese Hospital
6 Nguyen Luong Bang St.
Saigon South (Phu My Hung) Tan Phu Ward
District 7
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: + 84 8 411 3333
Fax: + 84 8 411 3334
Hanoi French Hospital (formerly Viet Nam International Hospital)
No. 1 Phuong Mai Road, Dong Da
Hanoi
Vietnam
Tel: + 84 4 574 0740
Fax: + 84 4 869 8443
International SOS Clinic Central Building
31 Hai Ba Trung
Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Vietnam
Tel: + 84 4 934 0555
Fax: + 84 4 934 0556
Hanoi Family Medical Practice
Building A1, Van Phuc Diplomatic Compound Ground Floor, Suite 109-112 Kim Ma Road
Hanoi Vietnam
Tel: + 84 4 843 0748
Fax: + 84 4 846 1750
Hanoi Dental Clinic
Building A2, Van Phuc Diplomatic Compound Ground Floor, Suite 101-102 Kim Ma Road
Hanoi
Vietnam
Tel: + 84 4 823 0281
Hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City
Gia Dinh Hospital
425 – 427 – 429 No Trang Long, Ward 13,
Binh Thanh District, City.
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
Tel: + 84 8 803 0678
Fax: + 84 8 803 0677
HCMC Family Medical Practice Diamond Plaza
34 Le Duan Street
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: + 84 8 822 7848
Fax: + 84 8 822 7859
International SOS Clinic Hannam Building
65 Nguyen Du
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: + 84 8 829 8424
Fax: + 84 8 829 8551
Maple Healthcare Dental Clinic
72 Vo Thi Sau
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
Tel: + 84 8 820 1999
Fax: + 84 8 820 4619
Hospital in Da Nang
Although we recommend visiting a private hospital in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City for serious medical concerns while in Vietnam, there is a highly rated clinic in Da Nang that is part of a larger group serving Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh.
Da Nang Family Medical Practice
50-52 Nguyen Van Linh Str. Nam Duong Ward
Hai Chau District
Da Nang City
Vietnam
Tel: + 84 511 583 699
Fax: + 84 511 583 049
How Much Does Healthcare Cost in Vietnam?
While generally, healthcare costs are much lower than in the United States and other Western countries, expats and visitors will likely pay significantly more than local residents, especially for better private care.
That is why it is quite important to have insurance. Additionally, if you plan to spend a significant amount of time traveling or living in Vietnam, it is advisable to ensure that your insurance is accepted by private hospitals in Vietnam.
Ensure it provides coverage in nearby countries, such as Thailand and Malaysia, as many expats and wealthy Vietnamese continue to travel to these countries for major medical procedures.
For travelers and expatriates alike, access to Vietnam’s private hospitals is a crucial aspect of ensuring a safe and enjoyable time in Vietnam.
And access to private healthcare means paying for it. Ensure that you have the correct international insurance to be certain you are fully covered in Vietnam.
Best Health Insurance Plans for Expats in Vietnam
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
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IMG Global Medical Plan
- Affordable global coverage with flexible options
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Best Health Insurance Plan for US Citizens Living in Vietnam
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Joe Cronin, President of ICI, is a leading expert in international health, life, and travel insurance. An MBA and founder of multiple global businesses, he helps expatriates and travelers access trusted, comprehensive insurance solutions worldwide.
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