Ho Chi Minh Poised to Become ASEAN’s Medical Tourism Hub?

Vietnam is making strides to position Ho Chi Minh City as a premier medical hub in Southeast Asia, seeking to attract investors for a healthcare venture worth billions. Authorities believe that by tapping into the region’s rising middle-class population, evolving demographics, and improved regional connectivity, they can turn the southern city into a competitive player in the medical tourism industry.

According to a report by the city’s Investment and Trade Promotion Centre, Ho Chi Minh expects to initiate 150 medical projects with a total investment of $2.1 billion between 2026 and 2030. The city aims to bolster modern medical infrastructure and transform itself into a regional healthcare powerhouse.

Reducing Outbound Medical Tourism and Boosting Inbound Visits

Speaking at a recent dialogue session with healthcare industry stakeholders, Vo Hoang Nhan, a representative from Ho Chi Minh’s Health Department, highlighted the city’s ambitions. “The city seeks to become a regional healthcare hub to reduce the number of people travelling abroad for medical care and boost medical tourism,” Nhan stated.

Currently, approximately 40,000 Vietnamese patients travel abroad annually for medical treatment. However, the number of inbound medical tourists is significantly higher, with around 300,000 foreigners visiting Vietnam each year, primarily for eye surgeries, dental care, and cosmetic procedures. Ho Chi Minh City alone attracts about 40% of these medical tourists, as reported by Vietnam Briefing, a monthly news publication.

Modernisation as a Step Towards Competitiveness

This healthcare push is a part of Vietnam’s broader modernisation efforts aimed at transforming Ho Chi Minh City, a metropolis of nearly 10 million people, into a leading smart industrial city by 2045. The city hopes to compete with its regional neighbors and establish itself as a major player in the medical tourism sector.

Vietnam is vying to match the success of established medical tourism pioneers such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. These countries are renowned for their advanced healthcare facilities and have set the standard for welcoming foreign patients.

ASEAN’s Medical Tourism Market

An August research report by RHB revealed that the global medical tourism market was valued at $13.1 billion last year, with ASEAN nations playing a significant role. Medical tourists visiting Southeast Asian countries account for about one-third of the world’s total medical tourists.

“ASEAN is now home to renowned healthcare professionals with extensive medical expertise and are highly skilled in their respective fields, while state-of-the-art medical facilities play a part in attracting foreign patients,” the report stated.

The combination of modern infrastructure, skilled medical personnel, and increased investments indicates that Ho Chi Minh City may soon emerge as a strong competitor in the region’s medical tourism market, drawing both foreign patients and new investments.