As global medical tourism grows rapidly, Vietnam is emerging as a promising destination thanks to its increasingly high-quality healthcare services, competitive treatment costs, and expanding medical expertise.
With coordinated efforts across ministries and sectors, and through strategic national planning, medical tourism is expected to become a spearhead industry, generating significant revenue while elevating Vietnam’s profile on the international healthcare map.
The global medical tourism market reached an estimated US$100 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow by 15-25% annually. The economic benefits are clear:
- Thailand earns US$600-700 million each year from heart surgeries and cosmetic procedures, priced at US$25,000-30,000 – far lower than the US average of US$100,000.
- Malaysia generates approximately US$1.7 billion from medical services priced 30-50% below those in developed countries.
- The Republic of Korea brings in US$4.3 billion through oncology and aesthetic treatments.
- Japan earns around US$13 billion, combining onsen-based wellness tourism with comprehensive medical care.
Vietnam is aligning with this global trend. The domestic medical tourism market was valued at around US$700 million in 2024 and is projected to reach nearly US$4 billion by 2033, growing at an average of 18% annually – well above the global growth rate.
Deputy Minister of Health Prof. Dr Tran Van Thuan affirmed that medical tourism has become a strategic direction, integrating high-quality healthcare with attractive travel experiences while contributing to foreign currency earnings and national branding.
He noted that Vietnam offers strong price competitiveness and improving clinical capabilities. Advanced procedures, including cardiovascular interventions, organ transplantation, IVF, rehabilitation, and aesthetic dentistry, are now widely available at significantly lower costs.
According to Dr Ha Anh Duc, Director of the Medical Services Administration, dental implants in Vietnam average US$1,000-1,200, compared with approximately US$5,000 in the United States, with waiting times kept to a minimum. Analysts believe that with coordinated investment, Vietnam could generate billions of dollars annually from foreign patients and overseas Vietnamese.
Vietnam’s natural and cultural beauty, political stability, and successful hosting of major international events also strengthen its appeal for medical and wellness tourism. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the country welcomed around 300,000 international visitors yearly for medical services, 40% of them in Ho Chi Minh City.
To unlock its full potential, the Ministry of Health has introduced a national plan to expand high-quality healthcare services and promote medical tourism from 2025 to 2030. This multi-sectoral strategy brings together health, tourism, finance, foreign affairs, and information technology agencies. The plan aims to establish standardised care pathways and develop comprehensive service packages, from short-stay medical treatments and IVF to cosmetic surgery, aesthetic dentistry, and rehabilitation, integrated with travel operators and promotional programs.
A central component of the initiative is the creation of a national hospital quality framework aligned with Joint Commission International (JCI) standards, the world’s most rigorous hospital accreditation system and a key requirement for competing in the global medical tourism market.
Additional priorities include visa policy improvements, integration with international insurance systems, digital health data connectivity, multilingual support for patients, infrastructure upgrades, and enhanced traveler safety.
According to Dr Duc, Vietnam’s competitive advantage lies in its low-cost, high-quality care, skilled physicians, modern equipment, and patient-centered service. High satisfaction rates, including from Middle Eastern patients, reinforce Vietnam’s reputation as a safe, professional medical destination.
Beyond economic benefits, medical tourism contributes to improved clinical expertise, stronger human resource development, and enhanced hospital governance. For international patients, it provides access to affordable, high-quality care while experiencing Vietnam’s natural and cultural attractions. For local patients, the rise in global standards helps improve domestic healthcare quality.
Medical tourism is therefore poised to become a strategic pillar of Vietnam’s long-term, value-driven development.
Australian Hospitality Alumni Network Vietnam 