This was the opinion expressed by experts and businesses at the seminar "Forming and developing medical and health tourism in Ho Chi Minh City" organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Women's Newspaper on August 31st.
Ho Chi Minh City currently boasts a rich and diverse healthcare system with a team of experienced doctors and nurses, at reasonable costs. However, attracting foreigners to combine tourism with the use of medical services remains an untapped potential.
Dr. Ta Quoc Hung, Head of the Laser, Light and Wave Unit, Department of Dermatology and Cosmetic Skin Care, University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh City, believes that Ho Chi Minh City has the potential to become a leading destination for cosmetic tourism. The city boasts a high-quality team of doctors and medical professionals with thorough training; it possesses a modern system of techniques and technologies in aesthetics and dermatology. Furthermore, treatment costs are significantly lower compared to other countries such as Thailand and South Korea.
"The cosmetic industry in Vietnam is very competitive in terms of cost, but the quality is not inferior to other countries. Many overseas Vietnamese return home at the end of the year and come to Ho Chi Minh City for beauty treatments. Along with a relaxed visa policy, numerous international flights, and the current system of hotels, resorts, and shopping centers, this is an opportunity to promote the breakthrough development of medical and health tourism," said Dr. Ta Quoc Hung.
Experts, managers, and businesses shared their insights at the seminar.
Ho Chi Minh City currently possesses significant advantages such as a system of coastal hotels and resorts. Mr. Vo Minh Trung, Director of Riverside Saigon Hotel, believes that the Ho Tram area could develop into a second Bali in Vietnam if a well-planned strategy is in place. Many resorts, such as Melia Ho Tram, have experimented with models where guests can relax, practice yoga, go hiking, and have wellness areas, but they lack high-quality medical centers.
"This is an opportunity for Ho Chi Minh City to develop the very promising segment of medical and health tourism with short-term tours, especially by combining with Long An province, which has the 'Endless Fields' tourist area, to develop tours for patients seeking medical treatment and experiencing therapeutic tourism in the forest," Mr. Trung said.
According to experts at the seminar, Ho Chi Minh City has a significant advantage and can position itself as the leading destination in the country for medical and health tourism. A well-planned strategy could open up a breakthrough path for Ho Chi Minh City to develop and realize the field of medical tourism in the future. The city could choose a pioneering location to pilot this model – strongly promoting it to both domestic and international visitors.
Dr. Duong Duc Minh, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Tourism Development Research, analyzed that among the destinations in Ho Chi Minh City, Thieng Lieng (Thanh An commune) could be chosen for a pilot project. Currently, Thieng Lieng welcomes about 3,000 visitors annually and is being proposed as one of the best tourist villages in the world. Choosing Thieng Lieng as a model destination for health tourism is not only based on its natural conditions but also on its ability to create a temporary space isolated from the pace of modern life.
"Thieng Lieng has the potential to develop health tourism, where it can offer a range of activities from forest bathing, gentle walks in nature, morning meditation, slow living practices..." – Dr. Minh said.
Thieng Lieng has the potential to develop health tourism. In the photo, visitors are touring the salt fields there.
Public-private partnerships create medical tourism products.
Mr. Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, said that the Department is implementing a project to develop medical tourism, aiming to create unique products focusing on strong areas such as dentistry, aesthetics, and specialized healthcare. The Department also proposed that the healthcare sector boldly engage in public-private partnerships and step outside its comfort zone to integrate healthcare with tourism. To make medical tourism products truly attractive, Ho Chi Minh City is aiming to leverage the advantages of several large hospitals with helipads in the Can Gio area, a central location attracting patients seeking medical treatment combined with tourism.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/tim-cach-danh-thuc-mo-vang-du-lich-y-te-o-tp-hcm-196250831135818448.htm
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