Healthcare in Vietnam
Table of Contents
Healthcare in Vietnam: current situation
Today Vietnam is building a modern and efficient health system quite successfully. At the end of 2014, 71.6% of the population already had health insurance. The government currently subsidizes 80 per cent of health care costs for the poor, 100 per cent for poor ethnic minorities living in disadvantaged areas and 30 per cent for farmers and fishermen who have average living conditions.
According to the data for 2014, the total public expenditure on health in Vietnam is $ 142 per capita. Medicine in Vietnam can be considered cheap in comparison with European countries.
In addition to public hospitals, Vietnam has a large number of private clinics. At the moment, the number of doctors who have received education in medical universities in Europe and the United States is increasing. Sometimes you can meet specialists who got their degree in Russia.
Franco-Vietnamese hospital Cho Ray in Ho Chi Minh City has good reviews about the quality of medical care. Many clinics use the latest achievements in the field of modern medicine. For example, Viet Duc Hospital performs successful organ transplantation and complex surgeries.
Of course, the situation with health care in big cities and in rural areas is different. Big cities have excellent clinics of the world level, while the villages don’t even have modern equipment, and good doctors don’t usually want to live in remote areas.
In Vietnam, Oriental medicine is widely used, so many people use a variety of products based on natural ingredients and acupuncture. There are even special clinics offering massage and acupuncture. The Vietnamese also trust Western medicine, and, in case of illness or injury, go to doctors in ordinary hospitals.
Vietnamese medicine for tourists
You don’t need compulsory health insurance to enter Vietnam. It’s your personal choice to get the insurance or not. Even if you do not have insurance, in case of illness or accident you can get medical care for money. You can go to public or private clinic.
We advise you to get an insurance, especially if you’re going to engage in extreme sports (this nuance should be noted in the insurance policy), have young kids or suffer from chronic diseases.
If you need to use your insurance, do the following:
Contact the assistance company and provide the information about yourself and your situation. You’ll get the name of the hospital or clinic you need to go to. If the hospital is far away, clarify if the transport costs can be compensated, and keep all travel documents.
You don’t have to pay for services provided in health facility, except for cases stipulated by the assistance. If you are paying for treatment or medication, keep the checks to get compensation after you get back home.
Don’t be afraid of Vietnamese doctors and self-medicate. Many Vietnamese hospitals are clean and modern, and you are sure to get help quickly. On vacation, you may encounter local unfamiliar diseases, and only the Vietnamese specialists know how to treat them.
Unlike their western colleagues, the Vietnamese doctors are much more likely to prescribe antibiotics to patients. But before you refuse to take them, think that this is partly due to the humid climate that contributes to the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
Inexpensive dentistry
It is also worth mentioning that the dentistry in Vietnam is quite inexpensive. There are even special dental tours for foreigners who want to combine their vacations with dental treatment. Please note that, as a rule, dental care is not included in the insurance, or only emergency assistance for tooth extraction and temporary filling is included.
Vietnamese pharmacies
Pharmacists may sell you medicines according to the symptoms you describe. But, firstly, it is only suitable for simple cases, and secondly, here you may encounter a problem of misunderstanding, because not all employees of Vietnamese pharmacies speak English. Although in the tourist Mui Ne there are 2 clinics (with pharmacies), where the staff speaks English.
Therefore, you’d better go to a doctor to get your medicine prescribed. Vietnamese pharmacies sell pills by piece and not by a package, that can be convenient. The doctor indicates the prescription time and number of pills. The pharmacist counts the required number of pills and packs them in a package indicating how to take this drug. This is very convenient, because you can save money without buying the whole package. In addition, the remains of the medicines you don’t need don’t lay around in your house.
Please note that there are pharmacies in the tourist areas that only sell dietary supplements, products based on natural ingredients and cosmetics. There are no antibiotics, and sometimes painkillers. If you need serious drugs, you need to find a regular city pharmacy. The difference between traditional pharmacies and ordinary ones is the color of the cross. Traditional remedies are sold in pharmacies with green cross, and the usual medications in pharmacies with the red cross.
The clinics also offer the necessary range of medicines. Large cities have some pharmacies working around the clock. The drugs usually cost much less than in Europe. In order to purchase a familiar drug, you need to know its active ingredient. Show the Latin name to the pharmacist, and they will choose for you Vietnamese or imported analog.
Ho Chi Minh City Clinics
FV Hospital
Address: 6 Nguyen Luong Bang, Dist.7 Ho Chi Minh City
Phone: +84 3411-3333
Franco-Vietnamese hospital of European level. Many doctors here are French. Everything is computerized and equipped with modern technology.
CMI — Centre Medical International
Address: 1 Han Thuyen, Dist.1 Ho Chi Minh City
Phone: +84 3827 2366
Franco-Vietnamese hospital with modern technical equipment. The doctors here speak Vietnamese, English and French.
Clinics in Mui Ne
Dr. Dong’s Clinic
Address: Nguyen Dinh Chieu 29
Phone +84 62 374 12 13
The clinic employs Russian and Vietnamese doctors. Dr. Dong and other clinic staff speak Russian.
The clinic is equipped with modern equipment, there is a laboratory and a pharmacy with a large selection of drugs.
This medical institution works with all insurance companies.
The clinic has an ambulance, which, if necessary, will take the patient to the right hospital, including, if necessary, ones in Saigon.
Vita Clinic
Address: 139B Nguyen Dinh Chieu
Phone: +84 943 631 418
Dr. Tien and some of the staff speak English.
- Outpatient and inpatient treatment
- Analyses
- Ultrasound
- Traumatology
- Pediatrician
- Dentistry
- Works with all insurance companies
Clinics in Nha Trang
VK Hospital
Address: 34/4 Nguyen Thien Thuat st.
Phone: +84 58 352 8866
Huge hospital, offering the services to locals and tourists. It has an emergency department open at night, good wards and doctors of different specialties, including dentists. VK Hospital also has a translator who will help you communicate with the doctors, although many of them speak English.
Vinmec International Hospital
Address: 42A Tran Phu
Phone: +84 583 900 168
New hospital with modern equipment, which employs specialists in various fields. Obstetrics here is at European level. The hospital staff speaks English.
Prestige Int’l Clinic
Address: 39-41, 69 Tran Quy Cap
Phone: +84 583 8137 74 (77, 78)
The clinic has English speaking doctor assisting during the visits to the Vietnamese specialists and giving all the explanations regarding the treatment. The clinic has 7 specialized rooms for a thorough examination. There are several wards for inpatient treatment around the clock, including ones for VIP patients.
International SOS Clinic
If you pay a special contribution to the International SOS Clinic in addition to your insurance, you can also use these emergency care centers:
Office in Hanoi
Address: Central Building 31 Hai Ba Trung Hoan Kiem District
Phone: +84 49340555;
Office in Ho Chi Minh City
Address: Hannam Building 65, Nguyen Du District 1
Phone: +84 8829 8424.
International SOS is a large international insurance company with the highest quality of service. If you have International SOS insurance, you’ll never have any problems with waiting or reimbursement. It is the best service in Asia. You can buy the policies at the official site or check if your insuarance company offers this option.
Public clinics in major cities of Vietnam
Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City
Address: 201B Nguyen Chi Thanh, phuong 12, Quan 5, Ho Chi Minh City
Phone: +84 38554138;
Hospital in Hanoi
State Military Hospital
Address: Dia chi So 1 Tran Hung Dao, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
Phone: +84 69 572400
Hospital in Da Lat
Address: Pham Ngoc Thach, Da Lat, Lam Dong
Phone: +84 63 382 1369
Hospital in Da Nang
Address: Benh vien Mat, 68 Phan Dang Luu, Hoa Cuong Bac, Hai Chau Da Nang)
Phone: +84 511 362 1692;
Khanh Hoa Hospital in Nha Trang
Address: Yersin, Loc Tho, Nha Trang Khanh Hoa
Phone: +84 58 382 2726
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