Vietnam (VN)

Vietnam is a dynamic, rapidly developing Socialist Republic stretching 1,650km down the eastern coast of the Indochinese Peninsula — a country of extraordinary geographical diversity, from the karst mountains of the north and the Red River Delta, through the stunning coastline of the Central region, to the vast Mekong Delta in the south.

Capital: Hanoi

Region: Asia

Language: Vietnamese

Currency: VND (₫)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 22)

Emergency: 113

Healthcare in Vietnam

Vietnam operates a mixed public-private healthcare system. The public system (managed by the Ministry of Health) covers approximately 90% of the population through BHYT health insurance, while the private sector — including an expanding network of international-standard hospitals — caters to urban, insured and expatriate populations. Vietnam's healthcare has improved dramatically since 2000, with significant investment in hospital infrastructure. International hospitals (Vinmec, FV Hospital, Hanoi French Hospital, Family Medical Practice) provide care comparable to regional standards in Singapore and Thailand at substantially lower cost. For serious conditions, medical evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore remains the gold standard. The WHO rates Vietnam's health system as better-performing than its income level suggests.

Mid-tier globally. Excellent at international private hospitals. Public system: adequate for routine care, strained for complex conditions.

Public healthcare: Vietnam Public Healthcare System (BHYT)

Bảo Hiểm Y Tế — Health Insurance

Eligibility:Foreigners on formal labour contracts contributing to BHXH are automatically enrolled in BHYT. Dependants of enrolled employees (spouse, children) may join BHYT voluntarily. Foreigners on tourist visas, e-visas or not contributing to BHXH: not enrolled in BHYT — must use private healthcare.

Monthly cost:Employee contributes 1.5% of contributory salary (capped at VND 29,800,000); employer contributes 3%. Total: 4.5% of capped salary. For voluntary BHYT (non-employed): 4.5% of statutory minimum wage/month = ~VND 67,050/month (2026).

What's included:

Inpatient treatment at designated public hospitals: 80–100% coverage (100% at registered hospital, 80% at referral hospitals)
Outpatient specialist consultations at registered hospital
Emergency treatment at any BHYT-listed hospital regardless of registration
Surgical procedures at public hospitals
Childbirth at public hospitals
Essential medicines on the MOH approved list
Blood transfusions and dialysis
Mental health treatment at public psychiatric hospitals
Cancer treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy) at public oncology centres

Not included (or co-pay required):

Treatment at international private hospitals (Vinmec, FV Hospital, Hanoi French Hospital) — BHYT is NOT accepted at most international private facilities
Cosmetic procedures and treatments
Dental care (basic treatment covered at some public hospitals; excluded at private)
Glasses and contact lenses
Infertility treatment
Health supplements and vitamins
Medicines not on the MOH approved list

Co-payments:At the registered BHYT hospital: 20% copayment for outpatient and 20% for inpatient. At higher-level referral hospital (with referral letter): 40% copayment. At emergency: 100% covered if properly transferred. Some groups (poor, policy families, children under 6): 100% covered.

How to enrol:Employer registers employee at BHXH office within 30 days of hire. BHYT card (thẻ BHYT) issued with a designated hospital. Employee can visit the designated hospital for all non-emergency care. To change designated hospital: apply at BHXH office at start of new quarter. Foreigners must present passport and TRC at hospital registration.

Waiting period:New enrollees: 30-day waiting period for non-emergency hospital admissions (except for accidents and emergencies which are covered immediately).

Private healthcare: International Private Healthcare

Who can use it:Open to all — no citizenship or visa requirement. Payment by international health insurance (direct billing at partner hospitals) or self-pay.

When it makes sense:Always recommended for expats: English-language service, shorter waiting times, higher technology and comfort standards, more privacy. Essential for: maternity care, specialist consultations, complex diagnostics (MRI, CT, advanced labs), surgery requiring international protocols.

Monthly cost:International health insurance (individual): USD 100–300/month covering international private hospital access. Self-pay at Vinmec/FV Hospital: GP visit VND 600,000–1,500,000; specialist VND 700,000–2,000,000; inpatient per night VND 2,000,000–8,000,000.

Major providers:

Vinmec International Hospital (Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang, Can Tho, Hai Phong) — largest private hospital group in Vietnam; JCI accreditedFV Hospital (HCMC, French-operated) — highest overall quality in Vietnam; French-Vietnamese specialists; preferred by European expatsHanoi French Hospital (Hôpital Français de Hanoi) — French-operated, Hanoi equivalent of FV HospitalFamily Medical Practice (HCMC: Diamond Plaza, District 7; Hanoi: 298 Kim Ma; Da Nang) — best for GP and primary care; expat-focusedPacific Cross Medical Clinics (HCMC and Hanoi) — primary care, travel medicine, occupational healthSOS International (SOSia) — occupational health, corporate medical services, air evacuation membershipHCMC: Columbia Asia, Raffles Medical (planned)

Accessing care

GP system

For expats without a BHYT card, see a GP at Family Medical Practice, Pacific Cross Clinic or an international hospital outpatient department. Walk-in accepted at most international clinics. Appointment booking: call or use the clinic's app (Carenet for Vinmec, FMP app for Family Medical Practice). Telemedicine is available via these clinics. Cost: VND 600,000–1,500,000 per consultation.

Specialist referral

At international hospitals: self-refer to most specialist departments directly (no GP referral required). For complex cases, the international hospital will internally refer. For BHYT patients: must go through registered public hospital and obtain referral letter for higher-level specialist consultation.

Emergency care

Call 115 (ambulance) for life-threatening emergencies. Private hospitals: FV Hospital Emergency (+84 28 5411 3333), Vinmec HCMC Emergency (+84 28 3514 6789), Hanoi French Hospital Emergency (+84 24 3574 1100). Note: 115 public ambulances may be slow or limited in quality outside major cities. International SOS members can arrange private ambulance. For serious trauma: Cho Ray Hospital (HCMC) and Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi) are the highest-volume public trauma centres with specialised surgical capability.

Out of hours

International hospitals maintain 24/7 emergency departments. Family Medical Practice: 24/7 emergency line (+84 28 3822 7848 HCMC, +84 24 3843 0748 Hanoi). Most international clinics: 08:00–20:00 Mon–Sat, closed Sunday (call for after-hours guidance). Public hospitals: 24/7 emergency departments but waiting times can be very long at peak periods.

Prescriptions

At international hospitals: doctor issues prescription (toa thuốc) valid 30 days. At pharmacies (nhà thuốc): Long Châu (2,000+ locations), An Khang, Pharmacity are the most reliable chain pharmacies with qualified pharmacists. Many medications available over the counter in Vietnam that require prescription elsewhere — ask pharmacist for the generic name and explain your condition. Controlled substances: require prescription from licensed Vietnamese doctor. Bring adequate supply of any specialty medication from home country.

Dental

Excellent dental care available at private dental clinics. HCMC: Identica Dental Clinic, Star Dental, Elim Dental (Thảo Điền area — expat-focused). Hanoi: G Dental, Elite Dental, Hanoi French Dental. Cost: check-up + cleaning VND 300,000–600,000 (local); VND 800,000–2,000,000 (international). Dental implants: VND 10,000,000–25,000,000/implant — significantly cheaper than Western countries. BHYT covers basic public hospital dental extraction only.

Mental health

English-speaking therapists and psychiatrists at: Family Medical Practice (psychologists), FV Hospital (psychiatry), Hanoi French Hospital (psychiatry). Private counsellors: Open Sky Counseling, Hanoi Counselling Center, TALK Consulting. Online: BetterHelp, Talkspace (English-speaking therapists). Crisis line: 1800 599 920 (suicide prevention, Vietnamese/limited English). See mentalHealthResources for full details.

Maternity

International standard maternity care: FV Hospital (HCMC) — choose your own obstetrician, private delivery suites, Lamaze classes. Vinmec (all cities) — experienced OB/GYN team, NICU capability. Hanoi French Hospital — French obstetric standards. Register early (weeks 8–12) — popular hospitals fill fast. Cost: normal delivery VND 30,000,000–60,000,000; caesarean VND 50,000,000–100,000,000 at international private hospitals. Significantly cheaper at public hospitals with BHYT.

Expat-specific advice

First steps on arrival:

Before arrival: obtain comprehensive international health insurance covering Vietnam, including medical evacuation to Singapore or Bangkok.
Within first week: register at a Family Medical Practice or Pacific Cross Clinic as your primary care clinic — provide insurance card and passport.
Register at your preferred hospital (Vinmec, FV) for any ongoing or anticipated specialist care.
Save emergency contacts: 115 (ambulance), FV Hospital emergency, your insurer's 24/7 hotline, International SOS if member.
If you take regular medication: identify the Vietnamese generic name and local availability. Bring a 3-month supply in original packaging with doctor's letter.
For families with children: register children at a paediatric clinic — National Hospital of Paediatrics (public, Hanoi), Vinmec paediatrics, FV Hospital have strong paediatric departments.

Finding English-speaking doctors:English-fluent doctors: universally available at FV Hospital, Hanoi French Hospital, Family Medical Practice, Pacific Cross, Vinmec International hospitals. At regular Vietnamese private hospitals and public hospitals: variable — some senior doctors trained abroad speak English, junior staff usually do not. International hospital reception staff: English-speaking. For specialist areas (oncology, cardiology, neurology): Vinmec and FV Hospital have specialists with international training.

International insurance:Cigna Global, Bupa International, Allianz Care, AXA Thailand (covering Vietnam), Pacific Cross — all have Vietnam direct billing agreements with major international hospitals. Confirm your insurer is on the hospital's direct billing list before treatment to avoid upfront payment. Pre-authorisation is typically required for non-emergency hospitalisations and some procedures — call your insurer 24 hours before planned admission.

Emergency card info:Carry a medical information card in your wallet with: blood type, major allergies, chronic conditions, current medications (generic and brand names), emergency contact, insurer name and emergency hotline. In Vietnamese if possible — ask an interpreter or Zalo contact to help translate. App: Medical ID on iPhone or Android equivalent — set up emergency medical data accessible from locked screen.

EHIC notes:EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) is not valid in Vietnam — Vietnam is not an EHIC participant country. European expats must rely on their international private health insurance or BHYT (if enrolled via employment). Keep EHIC for any trips to Europe but do not rely on it in Vietnam.

Pharmacies (Nhà Thuốc)

Hours:Major chains (Long Châu, An Khang, Pharmacity): 7:00–22:00 daily. Hospital pharmacies: 7:00–17:00 weekdays. 24-hour pharmacies: available at major hospitals and in central HCMC (Ben Thanh area) and Hanoi (Hoàn Kiếm area). Look for "Thuốc 24/24" signage.

After-hours / emergency:Hospital pharmacies at emergency departments operate 24/7. Long Châu has multiple 24-hour locations in HCMC. For medication needed outside pharmacy hours: go to the nearest major hospital emergency department pharmacy.

Prescription rules:Many medications available over the counter in Vietnam that require prescription elsewhere (e.g., antibiotics, some antiparasitics, oral contraceptives, basic painkillers). Controlled substances (benzodiazepines, opioids, ADHD medications) strictly regulated — must have prescription from a licensed Vietnamese doctor. Imported medications: up to 3 months personal supply allowed with prescription letter.

Available over-the-counter:

Paracetamol (Panadol, Tylenol brand widely available)
Ibuprofen (Brufen, Advil — available OTC)
ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts — Oresol, Hydrite) — essential for traveller's diarrhoea
Antihistamines (Cetirizine, Loratadine — OTC)
Antacids (Phosphalugel, Maalox — OTC)
Insect repellent (DEET-based recommended for malarial areas)
Sunscreen (SPF 50+ recommended — available at pharmacies and convenience stores)
Vitamin D3 supplements (widely available; useful given indoor expat lifestyles)
Probiotics (wide range available at chain pharmacies)

Typical costs

GP visit (with insurance)	VND 0–200,000 copay depending on plan
GP visit (private pay)	VND 600,000–1,500,000 at international clinic
Specialist visit	VND 700,000–2,000,000 at Vinmec/FV Hospital (without insurance)
Emergency visit	VND 1,000,000–5,000,000 + investigations + treatment at international hospital
MRI scan	VND 4,000,000–8,000,000 at international hospital
Prescription average	VND 50,000–500,000 depending on medication
Dental check-up	VND 300,000–2,000,000 depending on clinic tier
Baby delivery	VND 30,000,000–100,000,000 (normal–caesarean at international hospital)

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