Healthcare in Vietnam

Healthcare in Vietnam features both Eastern and Western medical approaches. The country is making steady progress toward universal health coverage, and over 90 percent of the population has health insurance. Despite this advancement, many Vietnamese citizens still face out-of-pocket expenses at both private and public facilities. Locals who can afford it typically choose private hospitals for their superior equipment and service quality.

You will need to take out solid private health insurance before you travel to Vietnam. This will cover you for treatment at private healthcare establishments, which offer the standard of care most expats expect.

Public hospitals in Vietnam

Public hospitals in Vietnam generally fall short of the standards you’d expect in North America or Western Europe. These facilities often struggle with underfunding and limited equipment, while doctors and medical staff typically speak only Vietnamese.

Healthcare quality dips dramatically in rural areas, becoming almost non-existent in the most remote regions. The situation is improving thanks to some international organisations’ healthcare investments in Vietnam’s rural areas.

Healthcare and Medical Insurance in Ho Chi Minh City

Private hospitals in Vietnam

Private hospitals in Vietnam offer excellent standards of care. These facilities employ doctors from the USA, Korea, Japan, France, among others, alongside Vietnamese physicians who are trained overseas.

You’ll likely find private hospitals cater to your needs much better than public ones, and they typically accept international health insurance. Vietnam has over 350 private hospitals, with the highest concentration in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Specialist costs for dentists and dermatologists vary widely. Although prices run lower than in Western countries, specialists targeting the expat market charge more than those serving locals.

English-speaking doctors and staff at private hospitals can help remove the language barrier. Most expats report high satisfaction with private healthcare facilities, particularly those with JCI accreditation, which signals their adherence to international quality standards.

Health insurance in Vietnam

Most expats secure international health insurance before arriving in Vietnam. When using hospitals, double-check with both the facility and your insurance provider to confirm your treatment coverage.

Make sure your health insurance policy also covers treatment outside Vietnam, as many expats travel to Bangkok or Singapore for specialist care and medical emergencies.

Many employers in Vietnam include health insurance in their benefits packages. Be aware of any limitations in employer-provided insurance and consider adding supplemental coverage if it’s needed. Group plans may cost less but might not cover all medical situations you might face.

Pharmacies and medication in Vietnam

Pharmacies in Vietnam are plentiful and well-stocked, particularly in cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Look for shopfronts displaying ‘Nhà Thuốc’ signs, often marked with a green cross or a mortar and pestle symbol. They line most shopping streets and populate malls throughout urban areas.

Buying medicine without prescriptions is straightforward, but beware of counterfeit or expired medications. Always check the expiry dates on packaging before purchase. For added safety, bring essential medicines from your home country or visit pharmacies attached to private hospitals and clinics.

Bringing prescription medicines into Vietnam shouldn’t cause any headaches. Carry a copy of your prescription and a doctor’s letter confirming the medication is for personal use.

Recent changes to Vietnam’s pharmacy laws aim to tighten control over drug prices and improve pharmaceutical regulations. New rules around online drug sales and prescription requirements are being implemented to combat counterfeit medications.

Health hazards in Vietnam

Health hazards in Vietnam pose minimal risks if you take basic precautions during your stay.

Stick to bottled water rather than drinking from taps. Restaurant ice in Vietnam is typically made with boiled water, but those with sensitive stomachs should skip ice in their drinks as a precaution.

The Vietnamese climate brings serious risks of sunburn, sunstroke and dehydration. The heat can be intense, so apply high-UV protection sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days.

Air pollution ranks as a major concern in Vietnamese cities, particularly Hanoi, which sometimes records alarming Air Quality Index readings. If you have asthma or allergies, pack appropriate medication and consider wearing masks on high-pollution days.

Hepatitis A and B can spread in rural areas where hygiene standards may be inconsistent. While malaria cases have plummeted in Vietnam, dengue fever is more prevalent, especially in the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City. If you’re heading to rural areas, take proper precautions against mosquito bites by using repellent and wearing long sleeves during peak biting times.

Safety in Vietnam

Useful links

• WHO – Vietnam Mobilizes Forces To Push Towards Malaria Elimination

Vaccinations in Vietnam

Vaccinations in Vietnam should be planned well in advance of your trip. Contact your doctor at least five to eight weeks before departure to allow time for multiple-dose vaccines. Keep your vaccination records handy while travelling, as border control may request them.

Common jabs for Vietnam include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tetanus, and Japanese encephalitis if you’ll spend time in rural areas. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends the Chikungunya vaccine for travellers who are 65 years or older (especially those with underlying health conditions), those spending at least two weeks in mosquito-prevalent areas, or anyone staying in Vietnam for six months or longer.

COVID-19 vaccinations aren’t required for entry, but they’re still recommended. Consider a rabies pre-exposure vaccination if you’ll work with animals or spend extended time in rural areas where post-exposure treatment access might be limited.

Useful links

• Vietnam Travel Health Information – CDC

Emergency services in Vietnam

Emergency services in Vietnam can be reached by dialling 115. Ho Chi Minh City now offers a privatised 24/7 Emergency Medical Response Service (9999) as an alternative to the official 115 service, with quicker response times and better-equipped ambulances.

Ambulance response times often disappoint, especially in traffic-heavy urban areas. Paramedics rarely speak English, and equipment frequently falls below international standards.

Private hospitals in major cities offer faster and better-equipped ambulance services with English-speaking staff. Despite this, many expats find that taxis or ride-sharing services like Grab get them to private hospitals faster when their condition allows for private transport.

Your international health insurance provider should supply you with a list of recommended hospitals and emergency contacts. Save these numbers in your phone before an emergency strikes, and keep a list of any allergies or medical conditions in both English and Vietnamese if possible.