An exhibition on medical tourism at an event in Đà Nẵng City. VNS Photo Công Thành

By Công Thành 

ĐÀ NẴNG – The central city’s medical tourism travel-related health care services could be a lucrative growth area for sustainable growth, say experts.

Health and tourism could build central Việt Nam into a premium destination for international travellers, making the offer part of an effective ecological network, turning medical and recovery vacations into a multi-faceted benefit for the city and Việt Nam.

The director of Đà Nẵng-based Public Security Hospital 199, Colonel Quách Hữu Trung, offered his opinions at a conference on medical tourism, stressing that Đà Nẵng and Việt Nam are perfectly placed to become a favourite for international tourists seeking hi-quality medical treatment and healthcare services, at competitive prices.

Trung said local medical treatments in Đà Nẵng and Việt Nam could be a key earner for the city, with services being offered at costs just a tenth of what other countries charge.

“Some hospitals in Đà Nẵng and the other big cities in Việt Nam could offer complex medical services and hi-tech surgeries for international patients at reasonable prices, including cosmetic surgery, infertility treatments such as IVF and stroke, with post-surgery retreats at beach destinations,” Trung said.

Heart surgery is carried out by doctors at a private hospital in Đà Nẵng City. The central hub could provide hi-quality medical tourism services for low costs. Photo courtesy of Anh Đào

“Đà Nẵng has a good infrastructure and international standard accommodation, providing luxury vacations for travellers, who could also order medical tourism services as well,” he added.

He stressed that traditional oriental medicine and herbal medicinal treatments in Việt Nam are also seen as some of the best in the world.

Trung also said his hospital was the first health care unit in central Việt Nam launching medical tourism in conjunction with Vietravel.  

“We could provide hi-tech examinations, treatment and surgeries with a lower cost for international travellers and foreigners living in Việt Nam. The hospital has already provided health care services for 10,000 expats living in Việt Nam mostly from Russia, Korea and Japan, since COVID-19,” Trung said.

“The hospital has been accelerating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical services and is able to estimate the future demands of travellers that need hospital services during their vacations.

“It inked Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on medical training and healthcare treatment with Leipzig City in Germany and the Việt Nam College of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Technology, in improving human resources education in medical care, hi-quality healthcare and treatments.”

Ngô Thị Kim Yến, chairman of the city’s Medicine Association, said Đà Nẵng’s key hospitals have already been providing international services in dentistry, cancer screening, obstetrics and rehabilitation for international travellers. She added that the city has included medical tourism as a key product in the Master Plan in 2030-50.

Vice chairman of the city’s people’s committee, Trần Chí Cường said the city’s medical care service and tourism industry have been given huge investment over past decades, to elevate them to meet international standards, but it needs a good teamwork from the two service industries to build the city into a hi-quality destination.

“Medical and healthcare services should be included in tourism promotions. International travellers must be made aware of the availability of high-quality hospitals in Đà Nẵng – where they can find a high-end medical and treatment service as well,” Cường said.

“The two services could support each other in merging into a supply chain. Medical services can be included in the tour service of travel agencies, while tourism accommodates for post-treatment rehabilitation,” Cường said.

Trần Thanh Thuỷ, director of Đà Nẵng City’s Health department, said medical tourism, at lower costs, is a global trend, while Đà Nẵng City with 14 out of 29 hospitals in the country, with a total of 2,500 doctors, can provide high-quality medical treatment.

“Đà Nẵng hosted 70 events related to medical services and health care with the participation of 50,000 visitors last year. More than 4,400 medical technical services from around the globe were introduced at the events and exhibitions in the city, creating a smooth connection among tourism and medical service providers.”

The Thiện Nhân private medical centre in Đà Nẵng has introduced package of comprehensive health care with 50 items being offered, including cancer screening and stroke prevention, with a five-hour long appointment and tests meeting international standards.

Wellness and rehabilitation tourism services are already at an advanced stage in Đà Nẵng City. A system of premium resorts can offer accommodation for travellers and patients post-treatments. Photo courtesy of Đà Nẵng Mikazuki Japanese resorts & spa

Đà Nẵng has emerged as a key player in the growing Asia Pacific MICE sector, with world-class facilities, boasting a strategic location and medical and health care services could fit with this available tourism model for dual benefit.

Visa-free travel for medical treatment should be prioritised for international arrivals staying longer in the city during their treatment and health examinations, Trung suggested.

Some hospitals and travel agencies have already cooperated in launching services for foreign tourists, combining vacations in beach destinations, providing medical services at mass participation events such as Ironman 70.3 Việt Nam and the Đà Nẵng International Marathon - as well as tourism conferences and forums.