Medical Tourism in Vietnam: Awaken the potential
10 years since making it first debut in Vietnam, the term "Medical Tourism" seems to occur in one direction: Vietnamese people travel overseas to receive health treatment. However, with an ever-developing and expanding infrastructure for deluxe resort and medical care, a two-way medical tourism right in Vietnam is believed to be just a matter of time.
4,000 dollars for a bottle of beer
A foreign friend just returned from a business trip in the region, collapsed into a chair saying: "I just had a bottle of beer that cost me one-month salary".
"How come? - Did you get into a scam?"
"No. Took my beer out, the bottle accidentally fell into my toe making it fractured. They didn't have any international standard hospital there and I had to take a flight to another country to have it coalesced. The total damage for the darn bottle of beer was $4,000"
Having a second thought though, the $4,000 bottle of beer story is not unheard-of, especially to tourists, inter-city business commuters or at tourist destinations whose infrastructure is not well-developed. Especially for foreigners, who are keen on venturing to into the under-explored destinations, the risks are present. It is also one of the reasons hindering foreigners travelling to Vietnam.
Vinmec International General Hospital that comes into operation in 6/2015 will offer a high quality medical center for not only the locals, but also the people in the neighboring areas and tourists.
Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital, opened in 6/2015, will provide the locals, people in the region and foreign tourists a high quality healthcare center.
On another angle, The Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism in a recent announcement has illustrated an important change of trend in terms of the nature and demands of tourism: Tourists are turning towards practical values when travelling. The purpose of sightseeing, relaxation, entertainment and recreation remains predominant but particularly in Asia and Pacific region, tourists have a higher demand for health care than the world's general level thanks to the combination of diverse tourism options and quality, reasonable healthcare services.
Regarding the potential, Vietnam is completely capable of keeping up with the novel trend with a lot of "necessary" conditions. In 2014, Vietnam welcomed nearly 8 millions international tourists and 38.5 millions domestic tourists, increasing 10% compared to the previous year. Across the country from the North to the South, Vietnam possesses numerous natural resources that are beneficial for medical tourism with many hot springs, mineral water; the special sub-regional climate such as Sapa, Tam Dao, Ba Na, Da Lat; internationally famous islands with fresh air such as Ha Long, Cat Ba, Co To, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc...
In addition, Vietnamese traditional medicine is known by the world with acupuncture and acupressure techniques. Modern medical is making its name heard to international friends when an increasing number of experts and doctors from all over the world has chosen Vietnam to be their work, intern and research destination.
Moreover, due to the appearance of international banking, finance and insurance system in Vietnam, it has become very convenient to carry out medical payments.
"Necessary" is not enough
Despite beneficial opportunities, Medical Tourism in Vietnam has not met the expectation due to insufficient infrastructure and limited quality health services. However, in mid-June, Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital, the second medical center in the Vinmec medical network invested by Vingroup JCI, will come into operation. This event is expected to be a positive sign for Vietnamese domestic medical tourism.
Major tourist destinations need to have standard medical center to reassure the tourists.
Privileged to be built in a remarkable location at Dai beach - one of the 5 best beaches in the world - adjacent to Vinpearl Phu Quoc. This destination is a favorite tourism choice when in the first 5 months of 2015, Phu Quoc attracted 250.000 tourists, 80.000 of which is from overseas, increasing sales by 57%. Connected to more domestic flights from Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh city, Can Tho, Rach Gia and more international flights from Singapore, Cambodia..., Phu Quoc is estimated to attract even more tourists.
Reasonable cost combined with international quality is the strength of Vinmec Phu Quoc. Thanks to interdepartmental collaboration, Vinmec Phu Quoc offers a complete health treatment, plus nutritional rehabilitation, which will bring patients a gleaming mental state throughout their vacation.
In addition to Vinpearl Phu Quoc resort, Vinmec is planning to make short-term healthcare card especially for tourists with various options.
Prompt opening, proper location and appropriate strategy by Vinmec Phu Quoc will meet the tourists' increasingly diverse and deluxe demands, including healthcare need. Not only is an important lever for Medical Tourism, this event is an affirmation for a safe, stable and sustainable Phu Quoc that this island has promised to both domestic and international tourists.
Vinmec Phu Quoc and the "push" for Medical Tourism
Vinmec Phu Quoc is the first international standard hospital in Phu Quoc island, with the size of 150 beds, 11 operating rooms and 10 departments, altogether supported by modern, systematic facilities that serve the diverse healthcare demands by the customers. Vinmec Phu Quoc can welcome 26.000 outpatients a year and 4.000 inpatients a year.
Besides Vinmec Phu Quoc, in the next 5 years, Vinmec medical network will construct and put into operation their chain of 10 hospitals across the country, including a number of hospitals located in crowed tourist destinations such as Ha Long, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh city, creating a push for Medical Tourism in Vietnam to thrive.