Last year, Ho Chi Minh City made significant strides in the field of medical tourism, with the introduction of 30 specialized medical tours catering to both local and international travelers. The city also launched a promotional video highlighting its medical tourism offerings and revamped its medical tourism guide, now available in six languages.
The guide provides detailed information on hospitals offering medical tourism services, as well as associated travel companies, hotels, and service providers. This initiative was the result of collaboration between the municipal departments of tourism and health, who also established criteria for participating health establishments, launched a dedicated website, and drew inspiration from the experiences of countries like Thailand and Cambodia in the field of medical tourism.
Local businesses have also jumped on the medical tourism bandwagon, developing innovative products to attract health-conscious travelers. Companies like Chim Canh Cut Travel Service JSC and SacoTravel are offering tours that combine medical treatments with cultural experiences, such as dental care and healthy cuisine tastings.
Districts within the city have also joined the medical tourism trend, with District 10 unveiling its “Health Street” and related tour packages. Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thu Huong expressed optimism that these initiatives would help diversify tourism offerings in the district and create opportunities for businesses to promote their products.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain in the form of a lack of language-proficient medical staff, ineffective marketing strategies, and the absence of international health certifications. Additionally, the overload at state-run hospitals poses a threat to the quality of medical tourism services.
Looking ahead, stakeholders in the industry are urged to collaborate on a long-term masterplan for medical tourism development, leveraging the city’s strengths in areas like infertility treatment, cancer screening, traditional medicine, and cosmetic surgery. By fostering partnerships between tourism authorities, healthcare providers, and accommodation facilities, Ho Chi Minh City aims to establish itself as a premier destination for medical tourism in the region.