Vietnam is redefining its approach to medical tourism, focusing on quality rather than competing on price. According to Ha Anh Duc, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment, the country aims to enhance its reputation by providing high-quality medical services at reasonable costs, while ensuring a positive experience for patients.

The Ministry of Health is currently gathering feedback on a draft plan for the development of medical tourism from 2026 to 2030. This ambitious plan sets a target of welcoming around 750,000 international medical tourists by 2030, with direct revenue expected to reach approximately $1 billion. Currently, Vietnam attracts about 300,000 international patients each year.

Dr. Ha Anh Duc emphasized that the period leading up to 2030 presents a unique opportunity for Vietnam to develop sustainable medical tourism, leveraging several key factors. The government’s Resolution 72-NQ/TW, issued on September 9, 2025, outlines the development of high-quality specialized medical centers that align with international standards and promote health tourism.

Globally, medical tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors, with projections suggesting the market could reach $250-300 billion by 2030. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to be a significant driver of this growth. Vietnam must capitalize on this opportunity to avoid missing out on a high-value market.

To achieve the target of 750,000 medical tourists by 2030, Vietnam needs to maintain an annual growth rate of about 25%. This is comparable to the growth experienced by countries like South Korea, which has seen a consistent increase in international patients after implementing comprehensive medical tourism policies.

Vietnam's healthcare system has made significant advancements, with many specialized procedures such as organ transplants, robotic surgeries, and advanced cardiac interventions reaching regional standards. Currently, 13 hospitals in Vietnam hold Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, and three have achieved Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) certification.

Despite these advancements, Vietnam faces challenges in competing with countries like Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia, which have decades of experience in medical tourism. These nations have established dedicated agencies, consistent national branding, and specialized visa mechanisms for medical tourists.

Dr. Ha Anh Duc highlighted that Vietnam’s sustainable competitive advantage lies not in being the cheapest option but in providing high-quality healthcare services at reasonable prices. The overarching principle is to ensure that international patients do not compromise the access, quality, and rights of domestic patients.

Moreover, Vietnam is politically stable, making it a safe and friendly destination with a rich cultural heritage. This stability provides a solid foundation for building a long-term national brand in medical tourism.

In developing its medical tourism sector, Vietnam will focus on three key areas: improving institutional frameworks, enhancing service quality, and fostering collaboration between healthcare providers and tourism businesses. The draft plan also emphasizes the importance of integrating traditional medicine with modern healthcare, creating unique health tourism products that incorporate local culture and natural beauty.

To implement these strategies effectively, the Ministry of Health plans to prioritize the establishment of a medical tourism association to connect healthcare facilities with tourism enterprises. This collaboration aims to create a comprehensive service chain that enhances Vietnam's competitiveness in the regional market.

Ultimately, the success of Vietnam's medical tourism initiative will be measured by the quality and safety of services, patient satisfaction, and the overall competitiveness of the healthcare system. The goal is to position Vietnam as a leading destination for high-quality, safe, and reliable healthcare services.