A basic X-ray in Vietnam is relatively inexpensive compared with CT or MRI. For a straightforward bone, joint or chest X-ray, a practical budget is often around 150,000 to 450,000 VND per body area at private hospitals, although prices can fall below or rise above that range depending on the hospital and the number of images required.
Current published examples illustrate the variation. Hồng Ngọc General Hospital states that X-rays start from 220,000 VND per location, while Vinmec Hải Phòng gives an indicative range of approximately 150,000 to 300,000 VND for many bone, joint and spine X-rays. A 2026 Vinmec Ocean Park 2 price list includes several standard studies at around 348,000 to 450,000 VND.
The scan is not always the entire bill. If you attend a hospital because of an injury or illness, you may also pay for a medical consultation, medication, splints or additional imaging.
X-ray prices in Vietnam at a glance
Published prices from private hospitals provide a useful idea of what patients may encounter.
| X-ray or service | Example published price |
|---|---|
| Basic bone/joint X-ray | Around 150,000 to 450,000 VND |
| X-ray at Hồng Ngọc | From 220,000 VND per location |
| Chest X-ray at Vinmec Ocean Park 2 | 348,000 VND per listed view |
| Shoulder X-ray at Vinmec Ocean Park 2 | 450,000 VND |
| Cervical spine, 2 projections | 450,000 VND |
| Cervical spine, 4 projections | 850,000 VND |
| Patella/patellofemoral joint | 450,000 VND |
| Hand X-ray for bone-age assessment | 348,000 VND |
| Dental intraoral X-ray | 130,000 VND |
| Panoramic dental X-ray | 348,000 VND |
These are examples from published hospital tariffs, not fixed national prices. The actual amount depends on the facility, body part and imaging protocol.
Why does the price of an X-ray vary?
An X-ray is not priced simply according to the machine being used.
Several factors can change the bill:
- Body part being examined
- Number of projections or views
- Whether one or both sides are imaged
- Whether the study is performed at the bedside or in the radiology department
- Whether contrast material is needed
- Hospital type
- Whether a radiologist report is included
- Emergency versus scheduled care
For example, Vinmec Ocean Park 2 lists a two-view cervical spine study at 450,000 VND but a four-projection study at 850,000 VND. The increase reflects the more extensive imaging protocol rather than simply a higher hospital price.
How much does a chest X-ray cost in Vietnam?
A routine chest X-ray is generally one of the less expensive diagnostic imaging tests.
Vinmec Ocean Park 2's published tariff lists a standard chest X-ray view at 348,000 VND.
Other facilities may charge less, particularly public hospitals or clinics operating under different fee structures.
Chest X-rays may be used when clinicians are assessing problems such as:
- Pneumonia
- Persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Suspected tuberculosis
- Some heart or lung abnormalities
- Chest trauma
The imaging fee may be separate from the consultation that led to the X-ray.
How much does a bone or joint X-ray cost?
For musculoskeletal problems, a reasonable private-hospital estimate is often 150,000 to 450,000 VND for a relatively simple study, although more views can raise the price.
Vinmec Hải Phòng states that X-rays of bones, joints and the spine generally fall around 150,000 to 300,000 VND depending on the site and projection.
Hồng Ngọc General Hospital currently states that musculoskeletal X-rays start at 220,000 VND per location.
These studies are commonly ordered after:
- Falls
- Sports injuries
- Suspected fractures
- Joint pain
- Persistent bone pain
- Suspected dislocation
An X-ray can identify many fractures, but it does not show every injury. Some fractures can be difficult to see on the first study, and soft-tissue injuries may require another form of imaging.
What about an X-ray after a foot or ankle injury?
A foot or ankle injury will typically require more than one projection so that the bones can be assessed from different angles.
The total price therefore depends on the hospital's charging structure. Some facilities charge by anatomical area, while others distinguish between specific projections.
If the clinician suspects a subtle fracture or complex injury that cannot be adequately evaluated on standard films, CT may be recommended.
This is one reason the final diagnostic cost can be higher than the initial X-ray price.
Spine X-ray prices
Spinal imaging often costs more when several views are required.
Vinmec Ocean Park 2, for example, publishes:
| Spine study | Published price |
|---|---|
| Cervical spine, 2 projections | 450,000 VND |
| Cervical spine, 4 projections | 850,000 VND |
| Thoracic spine | 450,000 VND |
| Bilateral lumbar spine | 450,000 VND |
| Complex spine study | 1,700,000 VND |
This shows why asking only "How much is an X-ray?" can produce very different answers.
A simple single-area X-ray and a complex multi-view spine study are not equivalent tests.
Dental X-ray prices
Dental X-rays can be cheaper than some hospital radiology studies.
Vinmec Ocean Park 2's 2026 price list includes:
- Intraoral periapical X-ray: 130,000 VND
- Bitewing X-ray: 130,000 VND
- Panoramic dental film: 348,000 VND
Dental clinics may use different tariffs, and some include imaging within a broader consultation or treatment package.
A panoramic image is more extensive than a small intraoral film and is often used to assess several teeth, impacted wisdom teeth or broader jaw anatomy.
Is the doctor's consultation included?
Usually you should not assume that the consultation is included in the X-ray price.
If you walk into a hospital with an injury, the process may include:
- Registration
- Medical consultation
- X-ray request
- Imaging
- Radiology interpretation
- Follow-up with the doctor
- Treatment such as medication, immobilisation or referral
Vinmec Hải Phòng, for example, currently gives specialist consultation fees of approximately 240,000 to 360,000 VND, separate from imaging.
A visit involving a 250,000 VND X-ray can therefore cost more once the consultation and treatment are added.
For a broader idea of medical charges, see Hospital Costs in Vietnam: What Patients Can Expect.
Public hospital vs private hospital X-ray costs
Public hospitals can offer lower regulated fees, particularly for patients covered by Vietnam's health insurance system.
Private and international hospitals generally charge more but may offer advantages such as:
- Shorter waiting times
- Easier appointment booking
- More English-speaking staff
- Digital records
- More comfortable facilities
- International patient departments
The price difference is not necessarily enormous for a simple X-ray because conventional radiography itself is relatively inexpensive.
For foreigners, convenience and communication may sometimes matter more than saving a relatively small amount on the scan.
Can foreigners get an X-ray in Vietnam?
Yes. Foreign visitors and residents routinely use diagnostic imaging services in Vietnamese hospitals and clinics.
You generally do not need Vietnamese health insurance to obtain an X-ray if you are willing to pay privately.
However, a doctor may need to assess you before ordering the imaging, particularly in a hospital setting.
If you are unfamiliar with local healthcare, Sick in Vietnam? What to Do and Where to Go explains how clinics and hospitals differ.
Is a referral required?
This depends on the facility.
Some diagnostic centres may accept direct requests for certain imaging services, while hospitals commonly want a clinician to order the X-ray so the correct body part and views are selected.
That is medically useful. Ordering the wrong projection can produce a normal-looking image without adequately investigating the suspected problem.
For example, a suspected ankle fracture may require a specific series rather than one generic leg image.
X-ray vs CT vs MRI cost in Vietnam
A standard X-ray is normally much cheaper than CT or MRI.
| Imaging type | Typical price level in Vietnam | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| X-ray | Usually hundreds of thousands of VND | Bones, chest, some joint problems |
| Ultrasound | Usually hundreds of thousands of VND | Soft tissues, abdomen, pregnancy, some joints |
| CT | Often around 1 million VND or more | Detailed bone, chest, abdominal and emergency imaging |
| MRI | Often several million VND | Brain, spine, joints and soft tissues |
The cheapest test is not automatically the correct one.
A clinician chooses imaging according to the condition being investigated.
When might CT be needed instead of an X-ray?
CT uses X-rays too, but creates cross-sectional images with much greater anatomical detail.
It may be preferred when doctors need to investigate:
- Complex fractures
- Some spinal injuries
- Head trauma
- Internal injuries
- Lung abnormalities
- Conditions that cannot be adequately assessed on conventional radiography
CT is considerably more expensive than a standard X-ray.
Vietnamese hospital tariffs can exceed one million VND depending on the study and whether contrast material is used.
When might MRI be needed instead?
MRI does not use ionising X-rays and is particularly useful for many soft-tissue structures.
It may be recommended for problems involving:
- Ligaments
- Tendons
- Spinal discs
- Brain
- Spinal cord
- Some joint injuries
MRI is substantially more expensive than basic radiography, commonly costing several million VND depending on the hospital and body area.
A normal X-ray therefore does not necessarily mean that every possible injury has been excluded.
Does Vietnamese health insurance cover X-rays?
Coverage depends on the patient's insurance status, facility and medical indication.
Vietnam's public health insurance system can cover medically indicated diagnostic imaging within its applicable rules and benefit structure.
Private health insurance and international insurance policies vary considerably.
Before a non-emergency examination, ask whether:
- The hospital bills your insurer directly
- Pre-authorisation is required
- Diagnostic imaging is covered
- There is a deductible or co-payment
Foreign tourists paying cash usually settle the bill directly and seek reimbursement later if their travel insurance provides coverage.
What should you bring?
For an X-ray appointment or injury assessment, it can be useful to bring:
- Passport or local identification
- Insurance details
- Previous imaging if relevant
- Medical records related to the same problem
- A list of current medications
If you have previous X-rays, bringing the original images can help doctors determine whether something has changed.
For general preparation, see What to Check Before a Medical Appointment in Vietnam.
Is an X-ray safe?
Diagnostic X-rays use ionising radiation, but the radiation dose from conventional imaging is generally low.
Healthcare professionals try to use the lowest radiation exposure necessary to obtain diagnostically useful images.
You should tell the radiology team if you are or might be pregnant because this may affect how imaging is planned, particularly when the abdomen or pelvis is involved.
The medical value of an indicated X-ray generally outweighs the small radiation risk, but unnecessary repeat imaging should still be avoided.
How long does an X-ray take?
The actual image acquisition is usually very quick.
Hồng Ngọc states that imaging of one joint location can generally be completed within a few minutes, although the total hospital visit can take longer because of registration, waiting and medical review.
More complex studies involving several positions naturally take longer.
How quickly do you get the result?
This depends on the hospital.
Digital images are available almost immediately after acquisition, but the radiologist or treating doctor may need additional time to interpret them.
In urgent cases, imaging can usually be reviewed quickly. Routine outpatient reports may take longer depending on workflow.
If you are travelling or moving between cities, ask whether the hospital can provide:
- Digital images
- Printed films
- A written radiology report
- Online access to results
Having both the images and report can be useful if another doctor needs to review the injury later.
How much should you budget in total?
For a straightforward outpatient injury assessment at a private hospital, the total visit might include more than the X-ray itself.
| Item | Possible cost component |
|---|---|
| Medical consultation | Separate fee |
| X-ray | Often around 150,000 to 450,000 VND for a basic study |
| Additional X-ray views | May increase imaging cost |
| Medication | Separate |
| Splint, bandage or immobilisation | Separate |
| CT or MRI if required | Significantly more expensive |
It is therefore sensible to ask for both the imaging price and expected total consultation cost.
What to remember
A standard X-ray in Vietnam is generally inexpensive by international private-healthcare standards.
For many routine bone, joint and chest studies, around 150,000 to 450,000 VND is a useful starting range, based on current published private-hospital prices. Hồng Ngọc currently quotes X-rays from 220,000 VND per location, while Vinmec's published tariffs show many common studies in the 348,000 to 450,000 VND range.
More views, complex spine studies and specialized examinations can cost more.
The final hospital bill may also include the doctor's consultation, treatment and any additional imaging required. For an injury, choosing the correct test is more important than finding the absolute cheapest X-ray.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover common searches about X-ray costs in Vietnam.
How much does an X-ray cost in Vietnam?
A basic X-ray at a private hospital often costs around 150,000 to 450,000 VND depending on the body part and number of views. Current published examples include prices from 220,000 VND at Hồng Ngọc and many standard studies between 348,000 and 450,000 VND at Vinmec Ocean Park 2.
How much does a chest X-ray cost in Vietnam?
Prices vary by hospital. Vinmec Ocean Park 2 currently lists a standard chest X-ray view at 348,000 VND. Other public or private facilities may charge less or more.
How much does a bone X-ray cost in Vietnam?
Routine bone and joint X-rays often cost a few hundred thousand VND. Vinmec Hải Phòng gives an indicative range of around 150,000 to 300,000 VND for many bone, joint and spine X-rays, while other private hospitals may charge around 220,000 to 450,000 VND or more depending on the study.
Can foreigners get an X-ray in Vietnam?
Yes. Foreign visitors and residents can obtain X-rays at Vietnamese hospitals and diagnostic facilities and can usually pay privately even without Vietnamese public health insurance.
Is the doctor's consultation included in the X-ray price?
Usually not. Hospitals commonly charge separately for the medical consultation, imaging and any treatment. Always ask whether the quoted price is only for the X-ray.
Is an X-ray cheaper than CT or MRI in Vietnam?
Yes. Conventional X-rays usually cost hundreds of thousands of VND, while CT frequently costs around one million VND or more and MRI commonly costs several million VND depending on the study.
Sources
Writer
Tan Nguyen
Medical writer for Vietnam Clinic. MD, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City.
