A breakthrough in medical tourism.

From 2024 onwards, Ho Chi Minh City's healthcare sector aims to develop into a specialized medical center and a regional healthcare hub in ASEAN. Healthcare tourism (medical tourism) is also a major goal not only for Ho Chi Minh City's healthcare sector but also for the tourism industry and travel agencies.

Cosmetic surgery is one of the strengths offered by many medical facilities in Ho Chi Minh City.

Strengths of traditional medicine

Traditional medicine is considered a strength in healthcare in Ho Chi Minh City, not only because of its unique characteristics but also because Ho Chi Minh City has one of the strongest healthcare systems and human resources in the country.

Recognizing the potential of medical tourism, since 2017, the Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Medicine Hospital has collaborated with the Department of Tourism and the Department of Health to develop medical tourism products. To attract tourists, the Traditional Medicine Hospital actively participates in medical tourism events; promotes and provides medical product packages participating in the program; and collaborates in creating video clips, editing and upgrading tourism guides in five languages ​​(Vietnamese, English, Cambodian, Thai, and Chinese); participates in signing agreements between service providers (hospitals, tourism businesses, healthcare facilities) and Roadshow programs in Thailand and Cambodia to promote medical tourism in Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City.

But more importantly, with its internal strength, guided by a modernization orientation and the development of advanced traditional medicine techniques, combining traditional medicine and modern medicine in a sophisticated way, the Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Medicine Hospital is promoting the application of smart technology towards a smart hospital, building a suitable operating model, and ensuring it has the necessary conditions to welcome delegations to visit the hospital and experience its services.

Simultaneously, the hospital is preparing personnel with professional qualifications, foreign language skills, communication skills, and certifications to provide medical care to foreigners. It is building infrastructure to meet the requirements of receiving tourists and designing a dedicated area for examinations for foreigners. It is also developing diverse pharmaceutical products and service packages to serve the healthcare industry. The hospital's products are conveniently packaged for customers to purchase for treatment, health enhancement, and as gifts. As a result, in 2021, the number of foreigners visiting the hospital for examination was 217; in 2022, it was 361; and in 2023, it was 475 (not including overseas Vietnamese).

"In 2024, the product packages that the hospital will promote for traditional medicine services include: massage and acupressure for health recovery; and skincare and beauty treatments. In addition, we will build a reception area and introduce a space showcasing Vietnamese traditional medicine culture to promote products manufactured by the hospital. Notably, the hospital will also collaborate with businesses to develop a model of wellness and relaxation services at tourist areas," informed the leader of the Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Medicine Hospital.

Similarly, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tuyen, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Traditional Medicine, said that since 2018, the Institute has participated in introducing Ho Chi Minh City's traditional medicine products in the fields of dentistry and traditional medicine, participating in roadshows in Cambodia, and the Ho Chi Minh City International Tourism Fair… to promote traditional medicine. The Institute has outstanding treatment products such as herbal poultices, thread embedding therapy, spinal manipulation, cupping therapy, along with health care and beauty products. From June 2023 to the present, the Institute has served nearly 200 international guests from travel companies to experience traditional medicine services.

Foreign tourists visit and experience the Traditional Medicine Museum in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City.

The Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Traditional Medicine also offers advanced training courses in acupuncture and acupressure massage for students of French and Italian nationality. The Institute has also been developing resolutions, projects, and plans to guide the in-depth development and improvement of examination procedures for tourists, upgrading the foreign language and professional skills of its medical staff for treating foreigners, and collaborating with tourism businesses to attract international visitors…

Beauty services, dental services…

In the field of cosmetic surgery, Dr. Nguyen Thi Phan Thuy, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Dermatology Hospital, stated that the hospital has great potential for developing cosmetic surgery, such as modern facilities, a highly qualified team of doctors and medical staff, high-quality services, and reasonable treatment costs. Over the years, the hospital's Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Department has received numerous domestic and international clients seeking cosmetic treatments. Especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, due to restrictions on overseas travel, many clients sought domestic cosmetic services and found that the quality of service and the skills of Vietnamese doctors and medical staff were not inferior, while the prices were significantly lower than in other countries. Therefore, after the pandemic, the number of clients seeking cosmetic treatments at the hospital's Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Department has increased significantly, particularly among international tourists and overseas Vietnamese.

"The hospital has been offering the DLYT package since 2020 with two aesthetic service packages: a relaxing skincare package and a cosmetic treatment skincare package. The relaxing skincare package, lasting 45-90 minutes, includes basic and intensive skincare, suitable for tourists who need to relax, care for, and restore their skin after a trip. The cosmetic treatment skincare package includes: facial rejuvenation, body contouring; facial shaping; and other treatments such as reducing foot and armpit sweating, hand rejuvenation, and bruising reduction. In addition, the hospital also offers cosmetic treatment packages, applying many new methods and modern techniques, such as: Thermage technology, PRP, Laser, IPL, Botox injections, filler injections, microneedling, chemical peels, etc.," Dr. Thuy said.

To increase added value, in addition to providing adequate facilities for medical examination and treatment for foreigners, the Ho Chi Minh City Dermatology Hospital also has clear instructions in Vietnamese and English; a separate waiting room for foreign patients with internet access, a water dispenser or vending machine; a pastry and fruit counter; screens introducing services in Vietnamese and English; and payment options via card or bank account…

"The advantage of the cosmetic tourism package at the hospital is that it's a one-time treatment with immediate results, painless, bloodless, and quick, taking only about 30-120 minutes (depending on the service). After the procedure, customers can continue their trip without needing any recovery time. Specifically, in 2020, the department received 41,490 customers for beauty treatments, and by 2022, this number had increased to 58,622," said Dr. Thuy.

Furthermore, the high-tech dental services offered by the Central Dental and Maxillofacial Hospital and the Ho Chi Minh City Dental and Maxillofacial Hospital, as well as cosmetic surgery for the nose and eyes at several hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, have developed significantly and are highly regarded by many overseas Vietnamese for their quality and competitive prices. Therefore, many overseas Vietnamese return to Vietnam each year to utilize these services.

Limitations that need to be addressed soon.

However, according to the leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Medicine Hospital, there are still difficulties. These include the lack of specific and clear policies regarding medical tourism, leading medical facilities to independently develop their own strengths in this area. Furthermore, the hospital's space and infrastructure are limited; equipment is insufficient and does not fully meet the needs of tourists. On the other hand, while the hospital charges for medical services to tourists according to state regulations, the prices charged by tour companies bringing tourists may no longer be appropriate.

"Regarding management, there is currently no agency or association effectively coordinating the connection between healthcare facilities providing medical services and tourism product providers to build a comprehensive service package encompassing healthcare and tourism (including treatment services). Hospitals have not yet met international standards such as JCI or ISO. Although the prices of hospitals and medical facilities in Vietnam are competitive, international tourists rely on quality standards to choose where to obtain services," shared the leader of the Ho Chi Minh City Dental and Maxillofacial Hospital.

The leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City Dental and Maxillofacial Hospital added that, in terms of human resources, public hospitals need to recruit or collaborate with leading professors, doctors, and experts from developed countries to provide direct medical examination and treatment. Furthermore, staff have limited foreign language skills; there is no established communication and promotional network to introduce medical services to international patients; and immigration and administrative procedures are still complex… Addressing these shortcomings effectively will significantly boost the momentum for breakthroughs in medical tourism.

In 2023, the number of international visitors to Ho Chi Minh City is estimated at 5 million, and the number of domestic visitors is estimated at 35 million. The revenue of Ho Chi Minh City's tourism industry in 2023 is estimated at 160,000 billion VND.

Let's act together.

Dr. Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, believes that for health tourism to develop, both the health and tourism sectors must "act" together. Specifically, the health sector should identify and leverage its strengths (dentistry, general check-ups, traditional medicine, specialized medical services, etc.); develop more high-tech disease screening methods; and build and provide quality services to meet the diverse needs of health tourism. The tourism sector needs to connect and advise tourists with facilities offering health tourism services, connect hotels and resorts to create an ecosystem that ensures the provision of services combining healthcare and tourism, and establish a health tourism hotline in Ho Chi Minh City…

Drawing on lessons learned from ASEAN countries that attract many tourists for healthcare services, such as Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia, Dr. Vinh Chau also proposed seven groups of solutions for Ho Chi Minh City to soon become a healthcare hub for the ASEAN region. Among these, to attract tourists, it is necessary to establish multi-disciplinary specialized medical centers, along with high-tech disease screening centers…

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