These insights were shared by experts and businesses at a seminar on “Developing Medical and Wellness Tourism in Ho Chi Minh City,” organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Women’s Newspaper on August 31.
Ho Chi Minh City boasts a diverse and well-equipped healthcare system, experienced medical professionals, and competitive pricing. However, attracting foreign visitors to combine tourism with medical services remains an untapped potential.
Master Tạ Quốc Hưng, Head of the Laser, Light, and Wave Unit at the Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine Department of Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, believes that the city can become a leader in medical tourism, especially for cosmetic procedures. The city boasts a highly skilled and well-trained medical workforce, advanced technology, and competitive pricing compared to countries like Thailand and South Korea.
“Vietnam’s cosmetic industry is very competitive in terms of pricing, and the quality is on par with other countries. Many overseas Vietnamese take advantage of their year-end visits to enhance their appearance in Ho Chi Minh City. Coupled with relaxed visa policies, an abundance of international flights, and a thriving hospitality industry, there is a significant opportunity to boost medical and wellness tourism,” said Dr. Hưng.
Experts, managers, and businesses shared their insights at the seminar. |
Mr. Võ Minh Trung, Director of Riverside Saigon Hotel, highlighted the city’s significant advantages, including its coastal resort system. He believes that the Ho Tram area has the potential to become Vietnam’s second Bali with a well-planned strategy. Many resorts, like Melia Ho Tram, have experimented with models that offer guests yoga, walking trails, and wellness facilities, but lack access to high-quality healthcare services.
“This is an opportune time for Ho Chi Minh City to develop the highly promising segment of medical and wellness tourism, especially with short-term tours. There is potential for collaboration with Long An, known for its ‘Endless Field’ tourist attraction, to create therapeutic and forest experience tours,” said Mr. Trung.
According to seminar experts, Ho Chi Minh City is exceptionally well-positioned to become the country’s top destination for medical and wellness tourism. A well-planned strategy could pave the way for the city to establish and realize its goals in medical tourism in the future. The city may choose a pioneering location to pilot this model and aggressively promote it to domestic and international audiences.
Dr. Dương Đức Minh, Vice Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Tourism Development Research, suggested that Thiềng Liềng in Thạnh An Commune could be an ideal location for a pilot project. Currently, Thiềng Liềng welcomes approximately 3,000 visitors annually and is proposed as one of the world’s best tourism villages. Selecting Thiềng Liềng as a model for wellness tourism not only leverages its natural advantages but also offers a temporary respite from modern life.
“Thiềng Liềng has the potential for wellness tourism development, offering a range of activities such as forest bathing, light trekking, morning meditation, and practicing a slower pace of life,” said Dr. Minh.
Thiềng Liềng has the potential for wellness tourism development. Visitors are seen touring the salt fields.
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Public-Private Collaboration for Medical Tourism Products Mr. Lê Trương Hiền Hòa, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, shared that the department is implementing a project to develop medical tourism by creating unique products focusing on strengths such as dentistry, aesthetics, and specialized healthcare. He also proposed that the healthcare sector boldly embrace public-private partnerships, stepping out of their comfort zone to integrate medicine and tourism. To make medical tourism truly appealing, Ho Chi Minh City is exploring the advantages of large hospitals with helicopter landing pads in Can Gio and popular tourist destinations for medical examinations and treatment. |
Thái Phương Hồng Đào
– 14:47 31/08/2025
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