How Strategic Medical Tourism Is Becoming The New Economic Force For Growth And Quality In Vietnam Healthcare Landscape

Published on December 3, 2025

The global landscape of healthcare is continuously shifting, and within this dynamic environment, the concept of medical tourism has rapidly expanded, generating substantial socio-economic benefits worldwide. As this international sector experiences vigorous expansion, Vietnam is being increasingly recognized as a burgeoning and attractive destination. This recognition is largely attributed to the provision of high-quality healthcare services, coupled with distinctively competitive costs, and a continuously evolving base of medical expertise. Through concerted action and robust coordination across relevant ministries and sectors, and supported by thorough national strategic planning, medical tourism is being strategically positioned to become a spearhead industry. This initiative is anticipated to generate significant revenue while simultaneously enhancing Vietnam’s international profile and serving as a crucial driver of economic growth.

A foundational component of this strategic focus involves the bolstering of healthcare quality and accessibility for both international visitors and the domestic population. It is understood that this integrated approach, which combines specialized medical care with appealing travel experiences, serves a dual purpose: securing vital foreign currency earnings and strengthening the nation’s image on the world stage. The commitment to achieving these standards is being actively driven by governmental bodies and key healthcare organizations across the nation.

Global Context and Vietnam’s Competitive Edge

An analysis of the global market reveals the immense scale of this industry. The international medical tourism market was estimated to have reached approximately 100 billion USD in 2024, with projections indicating a substantial average annual growth rate in the range of 15–25%. The profound economic growth potential within this field is evidenced by the achievements of neighboring nations. For instance, in Thailand, annual revenues of 600–700 million USD are secured from advanced procedures such as heart surgeries and cosmetic treatments. The cost effectiveness offered is remarkable, where certain procedures are priced between 25,000–30,000 USD, a stark contrast to costs of around 100,000 USD in the United States. Similarly, Malaysia is known to generate approximately 1.7 billion USD from medical services, with pricing typically 30–50% lower than rates found in many developed nations. Further afield, the Republic of Korea has successfully leveraged this sector to bring in 4.3 billion USD, focusing particularly on oncology and cosmetic treatments, and Japan’s sector, which blends onsen-based wellness tourism with cancer care, achieves 13 billion USD.

Vietnam is actively embracing this global trend, seeking to carve out its own substantial presence. The domestic medical tourism market was valued at approximately 700 million USD in 2024, and projections indicate a rapid trajectory toward nearly 4 billion USD by 2033. This forecasted growth rate averages 18% annually, a figure that significantly surpasses the anticipated global average.

The appeal of Vietnam is fundamentally rooted in its superior value proposition. As affirmed by Prof. Dr Tran Van Thuan, the Deputy Minister of Health, the nation benefits from highly competitive pricing alongside consistently improving clinical expertise. It has been noted that advanced procedures, including sophisticated cardiovascular intervention, complex organ transplantation, specialized IVF treatment, and high-quality aesthetic dentistry, are now widely accessible within Vietnam at a considerably reduced expense. A compelling example of this financial advantage was provided by Dr Ha Anh Duc, the Director of the Medical Services Administration, who highlighted that the cost for dental implants typically falls within the range of 1,000–1,200 USD in Vietnam, whereas a comparable procedure in the US costs around 5,000 USD, with waiting times simultaneously being minimized. It is widely believed by analysts that annual revenue amounting to billions of dollars could be generated from both foreign visitors and overseas Vietnamese populations, provided that investment is coordinated and sustained effectively.

Pillars of Strategic National Development

The foundation for this economic growth is being meticulously constructed through a comprehensive national plan. The Ministry of Health has undertaken the responsibility of developing a dedicated national strategy aimed at expanding high-quality medical services and promoting medical tourism during the period spanning 2025 to 2030. This blueprint represents a multi-sectoral approach, mandating collaboration between the health, tourism, finance, foreign affairs, and information technology sectors.

Standardized care pathways and integrated service packages are currently being developed. These packages are designed to encompass a range of high-demand areas, such as short-stay treatment, IVF, cosmetic surgery, aesthetic dentistry, and rehabilitation services, which are being actively linked with established travel agencies and national promotion programmes.

Dual Impact and Future Prospects

The comprehensive benefits of investing in medical tourism extend far beyond immediate financial gains. Beyond the generation of foreign exchange revenue, the focus on attracting international patients inevitably leads to enhanced healthcare quality across the board. This international engagement serves as a powerful catalyst for improved clinical capacity, significant human resource development, and more effective hospital governance practices.

For foreign patients, this integrated model offers the distinct advantage of receiving essential medical treatment while concurrently having the opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage and captivating landscapes of Vietnam. Before the disruption caused by COVID-19, it was recorded that 300,000 foreign visitors were welcomed annually for medical services, with 40% of these individuals receiving care in Ho Chi Minh City.