Healthcare in Vietnam

The healthcare system in Vietnam combines aspects of Eastern and Western medicine. At present, most Vietnamese citizens have to pay for medical services themselves at both private and public hospitals. In many cases, Vietnamese people opt to use private hospitals, as these are usually better equipped.

Expats will need to take out private health insurance before they travel to Vietnam. This will cover them for treatment at private healthcare establishments.

Public hospitals in Vietnam

Expats living in Vietnam will find that the standards of public hospitals generally do not match that of those found in North America or Western Europe. Public hospitals in Vietnam are often underfunded and poorly equipped, and doctors and medical staff working at public hospitals will usually only speak Vietnamese.

The quality and availability of healthcare are especially poor in rural areas, and in some of the most remote parts of the country, healthcare is almost non-existent. This is improving, thanks to healthcare investments in Vietnam's rural areas by organisations such as the World Bank.

Private hospitals in Vietnam

On the other hand, the standard of private hospitals in Vietnam is excellent. Private hospitals located in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City are staffed by doctors from the USA, Korea, Japan and France, as well as Vietnamese doctors who have trained overseas.

Private hospitals tend to cater to the needs of expats better than public hospitals, and they generally do accept international health insurance.

The cost of visiting specialists such as dentists and dermatologists varies considerably. Generally, while prices are still lower than the rates charged in Western countries, specialists who market themselves to the expat population will charge more than those that work with locals.

Doctors and medical staff at private hospitals in Vietnam often speak English, which eliminates the language barrier for expats.

Health insurance in Vietnam

Most expats organise international health insurance before they arrive in Vietnam. When using hospitals, expats should check with both the hospital and their insurance provider that they are covered for treatment.

Expats should ensure that the health insurance they purchase covers them for treatment outside Vietnam, as many expats, as well as the wealthier Vietnamese people, prefer to travel to Bangkok or Singapore for specialist treatment and medical emergencies.