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Expats in Vietnam typically rely on private hospitals, especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where facilities are modern, well-equipped, and offer English-speaking staff. Public hospitals are available but are often underfunded, with limited English communication and lower-quality care compared to private options.
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Vietnam’s healthcare system blends Eastern and Western medicine and requires both citizens and expats in Vietnam to pay for services. To navigate the system effectively and ensure access to quality care, many expats choose international health insurance that covers private hospitals and clinics.
Healthcare Overview for Expats in Vietnam
The Vietnamese healthcare system is a work in progress. Note that the government of Vietnam has been constantly working towards achieving universal healthcare, and the current quality of healthcare services offered at public hospitals is low.
However, millions of children in Vietnam are protected by vaccination for over 40 years, according to UN agencies.
As an expat living in Vietnam, it is important for you to learn about the local healthcare system. Vietnam has been a popular destination for expats over the last few years and the healthcare system here is somewhat challenging to understand.
Vietnam is a developing country, and the government is making constant efforts to improve the quality of healthcare. Let’s take a closer look at the public and private healthcare systems in the country.
Public Healthcare Challenges and Access for Expats
Public hospitals or health facilities in Vietnam are not as well equipped as those in developed countries. This is because hospitals are underfunded. Often, medical staff speak only Vietnamese, and in addition, the availability and quality of healthcare in rural areas of Vietnam is poor.
In some remote parts of the country, there is no healthcare at all. However, thanks to World Bank investment, this situation is improving.
If you are an expat moving to Vietnam with your family, it is a good idea to move to the more developed cities with hospitals and clinics.
Private Healthcare Facilities for Expats in Vietnam
Private hospitals in Vietnam are ideal for expats as they offer excellent quality, especially those in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Private hospitals are also more likely to cater to the needs of expats than public hospitals. Doctors in private hospitals are from the US, Japan, Korea and France.
There are also Vietnamese doctors trained overseas. As an expat, you can be sure that the staff will communicate with you in English.
Private hospitals in Vietnam accept international health insurance and ensure a hassle-free billing process. However, consultation fees for specialists such as dentists and dermatologists vary widely.
Although lower than in most Western countries, specialists who work with expats charge more than those who work with locals.
Pharmacies and Medication Access for Expats in Vietnam
As an expat, you will be pleased to know that pharmacies in Vietnam are well-stocked and easy to find, especially in the larger cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. You can find a pharmacy in any shopping mall or busy street.
You will be surprised to find out that It is common in Vietnam to buy medicines over the counter without a prescription. However, it is a good idea to check the expiry date of the medicine as it is common for counterfeit or expired medicines to be sold in Vietnamese pharmacies.
Expats who are concerned about the quality of medicines in Vietnam should bring necessary medicines from their home country or only buy medicines from pharmacies in private hospitals.
In addition, expats can easily bring their medication into the country as long as they can show the prescription at customs.
Common Health Risks and Safety Tips for Expats
As an expat, you may be more susceptible to illness than the locals, but with basic precautions and care, you won’t face any major health risks during your stay. Avoid drinking tap water, don’t eat ice in public places, and more
Here are some precautions that can help you stay healthy in the country:
- Avoid drinking tap water; buy bottled water.
- Those with sensitive stomachs should avoid eating ice in public places.
- Always wear sunscreen as it can get very hot and sunny.
- Drink plenty of fluids as it can get very hot in Vietnam.
- High risk of hepatitis A & B, especially in the countryside.
- Use mosquito repellent where necessary as dengue and malaria are common in Vietnam.
Emergency Services and Ambulance Access in Vietnam
The emergency service number in Vietnam is 115
As an expat living in Vietnam, it is important to know that the emergency services in Vietnam have a reputation for being slow. In addition, the paramedics do not always speak English and equipment may not be up to date.
However, private hospitals in larger cities offer faster and more efficient ambulance services. In most cases, expats will take taxis to the nearest private hospital in the event of an emergency.
Health Insurance Options for Expats in Vietnam
Expats should take out international health insurance as the public healthcare system in Vietnam is not ideal for expats. This is because local medical professionals do not speak English and the services and equipment used are very different from those in your home country.
Paying for private healthcare out of pocket can be very expensive, so expats may wish to take out comprehensive health insurance before moving to Vietnam.
Check with the private hospital and your insurance provider to see if your insurance will cover the treatment. It is also a good idea for expats to check that their health insurance will cover them for treatment outside of Vietnam before taking out the policy.
Many expats living in Vietnam prefer to travel to Bangkok or Singapore for specialist treatment. As an expat, you may be interested in a private health insurance plan in Vietnam to help cover your fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it mandatory for expats to have health insurance in Vietnam?
In Vietnam, it is mandatory for all expatriate employees to have social insurance as part of their employment contract. Social insurance enables employers to register and pay insurance contributions on behalf of their employees with DoLISA.
What is the quality of healthcare in Vietnam?
The quality of healthcare is good in larger cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, thanks to the presence of large international private hospitals. Note that the quality and availability of healthcare in rural areas of Vietnam are poor.
How much does it cost to see a doctor in Vietnam?
The cost of a standard medical consultation with an expat doctor (up to 30 mins) is about USD $94 at an international private healthcare center. However, if you do not mind a resident or a local doctor, then it would cost you USD $85.
Conclusion
Overall, the healthcare system in Vietnam is good for expats, as long as they choose to use private hospitals in the major cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. If you are still unsure about Vietnam, there are plenty of other countries in Asia to choose from.
Vietnam is a great place to see, especially during its best times during the year for visitors. It’s also a great place to move to. You could choose either North or South based on your preferences, and both offer some of the best private healthcare organizations for expats.
Wherever you live, USA or Asia, comprehensive health insurance can help you cover hospital bills and provide peace of mind during the most stressful times of your life. Finding the right insurance policy can be a challenging task.
You can always turn to the insurance experts at Pacific Prime for advice. Pacific Prime has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry and works with reputable insurance providers around the world.
Get in touch with Pacific Prime for a FREE quote and check out the best places to live in Vietnam!
He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts, Media & Communication major (concentration: Creative Content) from Mahidol University International College (MUIC). During the compulsory major elective period in the summer of 2021 and voluntarily during the summer of 2022, he also interned as a video and photo editor at Mbrella Films.
He has experience working as an English Content Writer at a real estate buying/renting/selling platform in Thonglor. There, he crafted company blog posts on a multitude of topics. Topics include market trends, legal issues and disputes in property businesses, financial guides, expat guides, home insurance, home decoration and maintenance, and weekly real estate news quick-recaps. Occasionally, as part of the blog-writing process, he would also translate existing Thai blogs to English.
In his free time, Guy enjoys doing scriptwriting and storytelling for comic strips, watching movies, and listening to music (particularly film scores).
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