Home Investments “Private Healthcare: An Integral Component of the National Healthcare System”

Investments

“Private Healthcare: An Integral Component of the National Healthcare System”

6 August, 2025

On this occasion, General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Do Van Chien, and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen sent congratulatory flower baskets to the Congress.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh presented the Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister to the Vietnam Private Hospital Association – Photo: VGP/ Dinh Nam

Speaking at the Congress, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan emphasized that a comprehensive, effective, and sustainable healthcare system requires the participation of both the public and non-public sectors.

As of 2024, the country has more than 400 private hospitals and tens of thousands of clinics, accounting for about 24% of the total number of hospitals nationwide. The number of private medical facilities participating in health insurance examinations and treatments has also increased rapidly, from 14.5% in 2010 to over 1,100 facilities in 2024. Private healthcare is helping to reduce the burden on public healthcare and expand access to high-quality services for the people.

Prof. Nguyen Van De, Chairman of the Vietnam Private Hospital Association, said that as the representative organization for the country’s private medical community, the Association has persistently fulfilled its mission as a bridge between medical facilities and state management agencies. It has actively participated in building and critiquing policies and laws, promoting a favorable investment environment, and fostering harmonious development between private and public healthcare.

The Association also plays a role in building a deep professional cooperation network among its members, promoting collaboration, enhancing service quality, and ensuring that patients are always at the center.

Minister Dao Hong Lan suggested that the Association and its members focus on improving the quality of medical services, building reputable brands, and putting patients at the center – Photo: VGP/ Dinh Nam

For the term 2025-2030, the Vietnam Private Hospital Association has set two major orientations: Encouraging members to expand investment, develop new hospitals, upgrade infrastructure and facilities, and promote the application of science and technology, and implement advanced diagnostic and treatment methods.

Minister Dao Hong Lan suggested that the Association and its members focus on improving the quality of medical services, building reputable brands, and putting patients first. Promote digital transformation, apply artificial intelligence and big data in management, and treatment.

Strengthen coordination with public healthcare, participate in community programs, satellite hospitals, and medical tourism.

Train high-quality human resources, focusing on medical ethics and hospital culture.

Enhance international cooperation, attract investment, transfer technology, and master modern medical techniques.

Innovate the Association’s organization, promote its role in policy critique, and support members’ development in the right direction and in compliance with the law.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh presented the Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister to Mr. Nguyen Van De, Chairman of the Vietnam Private Hospital Association – Photo: VGP/ Dinh Nam

According to Minister Dao Hong Lan, as the state management agency, the Ministry of Health is implementing synchronous solutions with a strategic vision to remove obstacles and promote the development of private healthcare in a transparent, professional, and sustainable manner.

In recent years, the Ministry of Health has proactively reviewed, amended, and submitted to the National Assembly for the approval of important legal documents to create a favorable legal corridor for the healthcare sector, especially the non-public sector. Notably, the Law on Examination and Treatment (amended) took effect on January 1, 2023, followed by the amended Law on Pharmaceuticals and the Law on Health Insurance, which took effect on July 1, 2024. Along with these, a series of decrees and circulars have been issued to remove obstacles and contribute to the stability and development of the healthcare sector.

The Ministry of Health considers administrative procedure reform as a breakthrough to promote a healthy investment environment. In the period of 2021–2024, the healthcare sector reduced 785 business conditions, accounting for more than 25% of the total number of reductions by all ministries and sectors – the highest in the country.

Notably, almost 90% of administrative procedures in the field of examination and treatment have been decentralized to local levels. In the field of food safety, the decentralization rate reached 75%, while in the pharmaceutical field, it was 50%. The remaining procedures at the Ministry of Health are mainly related to specialized fields that require national-level expert capabilities.

In parallel with decentralization, the Ministry has promoted information technology applications, implemented online submission of dossiers, ensured transparency, contributed to corruption prevention, and created maximum convenience for people and businesses.

Minister Dao Hong Lan stated that there is a need for preferential policies on taxes, land, and credit for healthcare enterprises. It is also necessary to improve regulations on public-private partnerships (PPP) in healthcare, remove obstacles hindering development, and encourage private investment in high-quality services, scientific research, drug and vaccine production, medical equipment, testing and calibration, and care for the elderly, children, disabled people, and people in difficult areas. At the same time, promote the formation of large-scale, specialized hospitals with national and international stature.

The Ministry of Health commits to accompanying private healthcare, listening, and promptly addressing difficulties to create favorable conditions for the development of the private healthcare system in the right direction as guided by the Party, National Assembly, and Government. It also hopes to continue receiving feedback and proposals from the Association to improve policies and management models that match the reality.

“Localities and related ministries and sectors should consider private healthcare as an indispensable part of local healthcare planning, create favorable conditions in terms of land and administrative procedures, promote dialogue, and encourage public-private partnerships in caring for people’s health,” expressed Minister Dao Hong Lan. She believes that with a high sense of responsibility and the active participation of all members, Vietnamese private healthcare will enter a new phase of development – becoming modern, professional, cohesive, and sustainable, making an important contribution to building a fair and effective healthcare system in the new era.

On behalf of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Vice Chairman Hoang Cong Thuy presented a banner with the inscription “Pioneering in Socialization of Healthcare – Contributing to People’s Health and Spreading the Spirit of Great National Unity”

At the Congress, on behalf of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh presented the Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister to the Vietnam Private Hospital Association and Mr. Nguyen Van De, Chairman of the Association.

Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan presented the “For People’s Health” insignia to 23 individuals from the Vietnam Private Hospital Association.

Mr. Hoang Cong Thuy received 10 Great Unity houses for the poor from the Vietnam Private Hospital Association.

The Vietnamese private medical community also supported the people affected by floods in Dien Bien province with an amount of VND 1 billion.

Dinh Nam