Hospital costs in Vietnam can range from very inexpensive public-sector consultation fees to several million dong for consultations, imaging or private hospital rooms aimed at international patients. There is no single national price for hospital treatment because costs depend on the facility, type of service, insurance status and complexity of care.
For foreigners, one of the biggest distinctions is between standard public hospital pricing and private or international hospital pricing. Public facilities can be substantially cheaper, while private hospitals often charge more for shorter waiting times, private rooms, international patient services and easier access to English-speaking staff.
As a general rule, a straightforward private consultation may cost from several hundred thousand dong to around 2 million VND, while diagnostic imaging, emergency care or admission can increase the bill quickly. Major surgery and intensive care can cost considerably more and should always be quoted individually.
How much does a hospital visit cost in Vietnam?
There is a very wide range.
Current published prices show examples such as:
- Standard public hospital consultation: around 50,000 VND under regulated public-sector schedules in some higher-level hospitals
- Routine private hospital consultation: around 345,000 to 1,900,000 VND depending on the hospital and service
- Private emergency consultation: around 1,500,000 VND or more at some international facilities
- Basic blood tests: from a few hundred thousand VND depending on the test
- CT or MRI imaging: commonly several million VND at private hospitals
- Private inpatient rooms: from a few million VND per day, with premium rooms costing much more
These figures are useful reference points rather than national fixed prices.
The total bill can also include physician fees, medications, laboratory tests, imaging, procedures, room charges, nursing care and medical supplies.
Public hospital costs in Vietnam
Vietnam's public healthcare system uses regulated fee schedules for many standard services.
Public consultation fees are generally much lower than those at private international hospitals. Recent government guidance in Ho Chi Minh City, based on health insurance medical service pricing, listed a standard specialist consultation at a special-grade or Grade I hospital at 50,600 VND.
Public-sector fee schedules also set prices for hospital beds, procedures and diagnostic services.
However, this does not mean every foreign patient will pay exactly the same amount. Factors that can affect the bill include:
- Whether the service is covered by Vietnamese health insurance
- Whether you request a premium or on-demand service
- Which hospital you attend
- The specialty involved
- Tests or treatment required
- Type of inpatient room
Public hospitals can be a cost-effective option, particularly for complex specialist care, but international visitors may encounter more administrative complexity and less consistent English-language support.
For a broader explanation of the system, see How Does Vietnam's Healthcare System Work? A Complete Guide.
Private hospital consultation costs
Private hospitals usually charge substantially more than standard public-sector fees.
Current published 2026 price lists illustrate the range.
At Vinmec Nha Trang International Hospital, many scheduled specialist consultations are listed at approximately 345,000 VND, while consultations without an appointment or outside normal arrangements can be around 550,000 VND. Some specialist consultations cost more.
Vinmec Da Nang publishes international consultation prices of approximately 690,000 VND for many routine consultations, with certain unscheduled or 24-hour consultations listed around 1,100,000 VND.
Sun Group International Hospital publishes international prices of around 940,000 VND for many general and specialist consultations at its Phu Quoc facility, with an emergency consultation listed at approximately 1,560,000 VND.
At other private international facilities, specialist consultation prices can approach or exceed 2 million VND.
The lesson is that the label "private hospital" does not describe a single price level. Ask for the current consultation fee before booking.
How much does emergency treatment cost in Vietnam?
Emergency care is usually more expensive than a routine outpatient appointment, especially in private hospitals.
A private emergency bill may include separate charges for:
- Emergency physician assessment
- Observation
- Blood tests
- X-rays or scans
- Medicines
- IV fluids
- Procedures
- Specialist consultations
- Hospital admission if required
Sun Group International Hospital, for example, publishes an international emergency consultation fee of about 1.56 million VND at its Phu Quoc hospital.
At some private facilities, emergency observation itself can cost several million VND before additional tests or treatment are added.
In a genuine emergency, do not delay care to compare prices. Vietnam's medical emergency number is 115.
How much do blood tests cost?
Laboratory prices depend entirely on the test.
A simple blood count is much less expensive than specialised hormone, immunology or genetic testing.
As one current private-hospital example, Vinmec Nha Trang lists a full blood count at approximately 253,000 VND on its international service price list.
Additional tests may include:
- Blood glucose
- Liver function
- Kidney function
- Electrolytes
- Thyroid testing
- Infection tests
- Cardiac markers
When several tests are ordered together, the laboratory component of the bill can reach one or several million VND.
Ask whether the quoted consultation price includes any laboratory work. Usually it does not.
How much does a CT scan cost in Vietnam?
CT scan prices vary by body area, scanner technology and whether contrast is used.
Current Vinmec Nha Trang international prices provide useful examples. Published 2026 fees include CT examinations at approximately:
- Brain CT: around 2.8 million VND
- Chest CT: around 2.8 to 3.5 million VND depending on the protocol
- Abdominal or pelvic CT: around 3.5 million VND for many routine examinations
- More specialised CT angiography: often 4.7 million VND or more
Contrast material, specialist interpretation or additional imaging phases may affect the final charge depending on the hospital's pricing structure.
A CT scan should generally be ordered for a clinical reason rather than selected from a price list without medical assessment.
How much does an MRI cost in Vietnam?
MRI is generally more expensive than basic X-ray or ultrasound imaging.
Current international prices at Vinmec Nha Trang include many MRI examinations in the region of approximately 4 million to 4.7 million VND.
Examples include:
- Pelvic MRI: around 4 million VND
- Spine MRI: around 4 million VND
- Abdominal MRI: around 4.7 million VND
- Some specialised MRI studies: 5 million VND or more
Prices differ by hospital, body area, use of contrast and scan complexity.
If you are paying yourself, asking for an estimate before non-emergency imaging can help avoid surprises.
How much does it cost to stay overnight in a hospital in Vietnam?
Inpatient costs vary even more than consultation prices.
Public hospital bed fees can be relatively modest under regulated schedules. Private hospitals may offer several accommodation levels ranging from shared or standard rooms to VIP suites.
One Vinmec price list, for example, publishes a standard hospital room charge of approximately 2.85 million VND for a 12 to 16-hour period, while a private VIP room can cost around 5 million VND for 24 hours. Premium suites can cost substantially more.
Sun Group International Hospital publishes private room prices that can be considerably higher depending on the facility and room category.
The room charge is only one part of the inpatient bill. Hospitalisation may also include:
- Doctors' rounds
- Nursing care
- Medication
- Laboratory testing
- Imaging
- Procedures
- Operating theatre charges
- Medical equipment
- Meals
- Intensive care if required
Ask for an estimated total rather than comparing room prices alone.
How expensive is ICU treatment?
Intensive care is among the most expensive types of hospital treatment because patients require continuous monitoring, specialist staff and complex equipment.
Vietnamese public-sector schedules publish specific ICU bed fees, while private hospitals can charge much more.
Some international private facilities publish ICU admission or room charges of tens of millions of VND per day, before the full cost of medicines, ventilation, laboratory tests and specialist treatment is included.
For serious illness or trauma, the final cost can therefore become substantial even in a country where routine healthcare is comparatively affordable.
This is one reason travel or international health insurance can be important for visitors and expatriates.
How much does surgery cost in Vietnam?
There is no meaningful single average price for surgery.
The bill depends on:
- Type of operation
- Complexity
- Surgeon
- Anaesthesia
- Operating theatre time
- Implants or medical devices
- Hospital stay
- Pathology
- Medications
- Follow-up care
- Whether complications occur
A small outpatient procedure may cost only a few million VND, while major orthopedic, cardiac, neurological or cancer surgery can cost hundreds of millions of VND.
For planned surgery, request a written estimate that separates hospital charges, surgeon fees, anaesthesia, implants and expected inpatient stay.
Public versus private hospitals for foreigners
Price is not the only difference.
Public hospitals
Potential advantages include:
- Lower standard fees
- Large specialist departments
- Experience treating high patient volumes
- Strong tertiary-care expertise at major national hospitals
Potential disadvantages for an international patient can include:
- Longer waits
- Crowded facilities
- More complex registration
- Less predictable English-language support
Private and international hospitals
Potential advantages can include:
- Easier appointment booking
- International patient departments
- More private accommodation
- English-language support at some facilities
- Clearer published price lists
Potential disadvantages include substantially higher prices.
Neither category is automatically better for every medical condition. The appropriate choice depends on urgency, specialty, location, insurance and individual priorities.
Hospital costs in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City has the widest range of hospital options in Vietnam, from large public teaching hospitals to premium international facilities.
Patients paying privately can therefore encounter very different prices for the same broad category of service.
Before a non-emergency appointment, confirm:
- Consultation fee
- Doctor or specialist requested
- Expected test costs
- Whether the hospital accepts your insurance
- Whether direct billing is available
Vietnam Clinic maintains a directory of hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City for comparing facilities.
Hospital costs in Hanoi
Hanoi also combines major national public hospitals with private and international providers.
Public hospitals can offer substantially lower standard prices, while private facilities may be easier for international residents to navigate.
Specialist and premium consultation fees can range from several hundred thousand dong to well above one million VND depending on the provider.
You can review hospitals in Hanoi and confirm current prices directly before booking.
Hospital costs in Da Nang
Da Nang has public hospitals, private hospitals and international-oriented healthcare facilities serving both residents and tourists.
Current 2026 international prices published by Vinmec Da Nang include routine specialist consultations around 690,000 VND and certain unscheduled consultations around 1.1 million VND.
Prices at other facilities can differ significantly.
For local options, see hospitals in Da Nang.
Do foreigners pay more at Vietnamese hospitals?
Sometimes.
Some private hospitals publish separate Vietnamese and international service price lists. This can result in foreign or international-service patients paying different fees for the same broad service category.
Other facilities use a single price regardless of nationality.
Public hospital pricing is more closely tied to regulated service fees and health insurance rules, but optional premium services can still cost more.
Always ask which price schedule applies to you before non-urgent treatment.
Does travel insurance cover hospital costs in Vietnam?
It depends entirely on the policy.
Travel insurance may cover eligible treatment resulting from sudden illness or injury, but exclusions, excesses, benefit limits and pre-existing condition rules vary considerably.
Before treatment when circumstances allow, check:
- Whether the hospital is accepted by your insurer
- Whether direct billing is available
- Whether pre-authorisation is required
- Your deductible or excess
- Coverage limits
- Whether outpatient and inpatient treatment are both covered
For emergency treatment, obtain care first when delaying treatment would be unsafe and contact the insurer as soon as practical afterwards.
Do hospitals require payment upfront?
Private hospitals may ask self-paying patients for payment or a deposit before non-emergency treatment, tests or admission.
For planned surgery or inpatient treatment, deposits can be substantial.
Patients with recognised international insurance may be able to use direct billing if the insurer and hospital have an agreement, but approval is not automatic.
Bring your insurance card, policy details and identification to the hospital.
What to Check Before a Medical Appointment in Vietnam provides a broader preparation checklist.
How to avoid unexpected hospital bills
For non-emergency treatment, ask for prices before agreeing to significant tests or procedures.
Useful questions include:
- How much is the consultation?
- Is this the international patient price?
- Are tests included?
- How much will the scan cost?
- Is contrast included?
- What is the daily room charge?
- Are physician fees separate from the room?
- How large a deposit is required?
- Can the hospital bill my insurer directly?
- Can I receive an itemised invoice?
An estimate is not always a guarantee. Medical needs can change during treatment, particularly after an emergency admission or surgery.
Is healthcare cheap in Vietnam?
Routine healthcare can be inexpensive compared with many Western countries, particularly within the public system.
However, it is misleading to assume that all hospital treatment in Vietnam is cheap.
Private specialist care, diagnostic imaging, major surgery, intensive care and prolonged hospitalisation can produce substantial bills. Premium international hospitals can also charge prices many times higher than standard public-sector rates.
For travellers and expatriates, the most useful approach is to consider both price and whether the facility can provide the level of care required.
What patients should remember about hospital costs in Vietnam
The cost of hospital treatment in Vietnam varies enormously. A standard public consultation may cost only tens of thousands of dong, while a private international consultation can cost hundreds of thousands or more than one million VND.
Diagnostic tests add to the bill. Current private-hospital prices show basic blood tests costing a few hundred thousand dong, while CT and MRI scans often cost several million VND. Hospital rooms, emergency observation and intensive care can increase costs much further.
If treatment is planned, ask for a written estimate and confirm what your insurance covers. In an emergency, however, medical urgency should come before price comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a hospital consultation cost in Vietnam?
Standard public hospital consultation fees can be around 50,000 VND under regulated schedules, while private hospital consultations commonly range from several hundred thousand VND to around 2 million VND depending on the facility and specialist.
Are public hospitals cheaper than private hospitals in Vietnam?
Generally, yes. Standard public-sector services are heavily regulated and usually much less expensive. Private and international hospitals charge more but may offer easier booking, private rooms and more consistent services for international patients.
How much does an MRI cost in Vietnam?
At private hospitals, many routine MRI examinations cost around 4 to 5 million VND, although the exact price depends on the hospital, body area and whether contrast or specialised imaging is required.
How much does a CT scan cost in Vietnam?
Current private hospital prices commonly place routine CT scans at around 2.8 to 3.5 million VND, with more specialised angiography or complex examinations costing more.
How much is a private hospital room in Vietnam?
Private room charges vary significantly. Current hospital price lists show standard rooms costing a few million VND per day or partial day, while VIP suites can cost considerably more.
Do foreigners pay more for hospitals in Vietnam?
Some private hospitals publish separate international service prices, so foreign or international-service patients may pay higher fees. Other hospitals use the same price schedule for all self-paying patients.
Do hospitals in Vietnam accept travel insurance?
Many private hospitals work with international insurers, but direct billing depends on the hospital, insurer and policy. Patients may need pre-authorisation or may have to pay first and claim reimbursement later.
Sources
Writer
Jonathan García-Allen
Psychologist, book author and digital strategist specializing in mental health. He co-founded Psicología y Mente, one of the world’s most visited mental health websites, with more than 20 million visits per month. He has more than 10 years of experience creating health content and helping psychologists, therapists and clinics grow their online presence through content, SEO and digital marketing
Medical review
Tan Nguyen
Medical writer for Vietnam Clinic. MD, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City.
