Hanoi: Vietnam is moving to turn medical tourism into a key growth sector as the Ministry of Health is finalising a national strategy on medical tourism development for the 2026-2030 period with a vision to 2040. The draft strategy aims to position Vietnam as a trusted healthcare destination in Southeast Asia by 2030 and eventually among Asia's leading medical tourism hubs. The plan marks a shift from viewing medical tourism as an untapped opportunity to making it a national development priority.

According to Vietnam News Agency, the strategy will involve collaboration with healthcare providers and tourism operators to enhance service quality and create a cohesive framework for attracting international patients. The focus will be on leveraging Vietnam's strengths in traditional medicine, affordable healthcare services, and its growing network of international standard hospitals. The Ministry of Health plans to implement initiatives to improve infrastructure, train healthcare professionals, and promote Vietnam's medical services abroad.

The initiative is expected to generate significant economic benefits, including job creation and increased foreign exchange earnings. By establishing Vietnam as a competitive player in the medical tourism market, the government aims to not only boost the healthcare sector but also contribute to the overall economic development of the country. The strategy is seen as a comprehensive approach to integrating health and tourism sectors, providing a unique opportunity for Vietnam to capitalize on the growing global demand for medical tourism.