Vietnam Sets Bold 2030 Targets for Medical Tourism Boom

Vietnam is preparing a major push into medical tourism, with new national plans indicating an ambition to attract about 750,000 international medical visitors and generate roughly US$2.5 billion in health-related travel spending by 2030.

National Strategy Puts Medical Tourism in the Spotlight

Recent policy documents and public planning updates in Vietnam point to medical tourism emerging as a priority within the country’s broader health and tourism strategies through 2030. A national strategy on medical tourism development for the 2026 to 2030 period, with a vision toward 2040, is currently being finalized, according to recent coverage of health sector planning. The draft framework positions international patient services and wellness travel as one of the future growth pillars of Vietnam’s healthcare network.

This move builds on the National Strategy for Protection, Care and Improvement of the People’s Health to 2030 and the long-term tourism development strategy to 2030, both of which promote higher-quality health services, stronger hospital infrastructure and more diversified tourism products. Medical tourism fits at the intersection of these agendas, linking upgraded hospitals and specialized clinics with Vietnam’s established beach, heritage and city destinations.

Published information on the evolving medical tourism plan suggests that authorities are seeking to formalize targets for international patient numbers, revenue, accreditation benchmarks and geographic hubs. Within that context, sector watchers are working with indicative planning figures of around 750,000 overseas medical visitors and US$2.5 billion in spending by 2030, a level that would more than double current revenue estimates from foreign patients.

The national strategy is expected to set out concrete measures for coordination between the health and tourism sectors, including branding, promotion, visa facilitation and quality assurance. It is also anticipated to provide clearer guidance for provincial authorities and private investors looking to develop international-standard hospitals, clinics and wellness resorts in key locations.

From Dental Trips to Full-Service Treatment Hubs

Vietnam already receives a steady flow of international visitors seeking healthcare, particularly for dental work, cosmetic surgery and general check-ups. Industry-focused reporting has estimated that the country attracts several hundred thousand foreign medical visitors each year, with related revenues approaching US$2 billion. Many patients arrive from neighboring Southeast Asian markets, overseas Vietnamese communities and long-haul markets combining treatment with holiday travel.

In destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang, private and joint-venture hospitals have been marketing packages that include medical services, accommodation and local tourism experiences. According to sector overviews, internationally oriented hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City have been cited as examples of how Vietnam can bundle modern facilities, English-speaking staff and competitive pricing in order to appeal to patients who might otherwise look to Thailand, Malaysia or Singapore.

The new expansion targets imply a shift from opportunistic growth toward a more structured industry. To reach around 750,000 international medical visitors by 2030, Vietnam would need to significantly scale up capacity, standardize service quality and improve aftercare arrangements. This likely means a stronger emphasis on international accreditation, digital records, transparent pricing and partnerships with travel companies, insurers and facilitators abroad.

Publicly available health sector strategies also highlight plans to develop specialized services such as oncology, cardiology, fertility treatment and high-end diagnostics, which could help Vietnam capture a larger share of higher-value, complex procedures. Combined with its existing strengths in dental and aesthetic services, this could gradually reposition the country as a full-service regional medical hub rather than primarily a low-cost option for basic treatments.

Target Hubs: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Coastal Destinations

Draft planning for high-quality medical services between 2025 and 2030 identifies a network of priority localities for integrated healthcare and tourism development. Reports on the Ministry of Health’s proposals indicate that Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Quang Ninh and Khanh Hoa are being positioned as early centers for models that connect hospitals, wellness complexes and tourism providers.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are expected to anchor the strategy as major gateways, with established tertiary hospitals, medical universities and international air connectivity. These cities already host private hospitals catering to foreign patients as well as affluent domestic clients, and they are seen as natural hubs for complex interventions, diagnostics and long-stay treatment programs.

Coastal destinations such as Da Nang and Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa province offer a different proposition, combining resort infrastructure with spa, rehabilitation and preventive health services. Quang Ninh, home to Ha Long Bay, has been promoting wellness and nature-based tourism, and is viewed as a candidate for rehabilitation and health retreat offerings linked to its scenic surroundings.

The plan to have at least a core group of provinces and cities running integrated healthcare, tourism and wellness models by 2030 aligns with broader tourism marketing strategies that call for diversified products, including medical and wellness tourism. As more localities upgrade hospitals and partner with travel firms, the distribution of medical tourism beyond the two main cities could help spread economic benefits and reduce pressure on already crowded urban hospitals.

Building Capacity, Quality and Trust

Achieving the proposed 2030 targets will require significant investment in both public and private healthcare facilities. Sector analyses of Vietnam’s health system note ongoing efforts to expand hospital capacity, modernize equipment and improve staff training, as well as a push toward digital transformation and electronic health records. These reforms are intended to serve domestic patients first, but they also form the backbone of a credible medical tourism offering.

According to recent coverage of the draft medical tourism plan, one objective is for a growing number of Vietnamese hospitals to obtain international accreditation by 2030. International benchmarks are viewed as important signals of quality and safety for overseas patients comparing destinations. The plan also emphasizes the development of clear service bundles, transparent pricing and multilingual communication, all of which are critical to building trust.

At the same time, observers note that Vietnam faces competition from more established regional medical tourism hubs that have spent years refining logistics, aftercare and international marketing. To differentiate itself, Vietnam is expected to highlight a combination of relatively affordable costs, improving clinical standards and the ability to pair treatment with diverse travel experiences, from major cities to beaches and cultural sites.

There are also domestic policy considerations. Analysts of Vietnam’s health strategy have pointed out that any rapid expansion of services for international visitors will need to be balanced with the priority of serving local patients and maintaining equitable access. The national strategy documents emphasize universal health goals, and medical tourism development is being framed as a way to generate revenue, attract technology and retain skilled professionals that can ultimately benefit the wider system.

Positioning Vietnam in Asia’s Medical Tourism Race

Across Asia, a number of countries are competing aggressively for international patients, viewing medical tourism as a source of export earnings and soft power. Regional trend reports describe a landscape in which Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, India and South Korea have already secured strong reputations in specific specialties. More recently, Vietnam has begun to appear in discussions of emerging destinations as it upgrades its healthcare infrastructure and regulatory framework.

The indicative target of 750,000 foreign medical visitors by 2030 would place Vietnam firmly in the regional race, though still behind the most established players. Analysts suggest that this level of volume, combined with a forecast revenue figure of around US$2.5 billion, would require coordinated marketing in key source markets, streamlined visa processes for medical travelers and closer cooperation with airlines and tour operators.

Tourism forecasts for Vietnam through 2030 already anticipate strong overall growth in international arrivals, with new products such as health, sports and nature-based tourism gaining prominence. Within that broader recovery and expansion, medical tourism is being presented in public planning as a higher-value niche that can help smooth seasonality, lengthen stays and increase average visitor expenditure.

As the national strategy on medical tourism moves toward completion and implementation, the sector is set to become a more visible part of Vietnam’s tourism and healthcare narrative. The coming years will show whether the combination of policy support, investment and rising international awareness can translate the 2030 targets into a sustainable medical tourism industry.