Vietnam Charts a Course Towards Universal Healthcare: A Shift from Treatment to Prevention
Vietnam is embarking on a significant transformation of its healthcare system, moving away from a treatment-focused model towards a comprehensive, preventative, and accessible approach for all citizens. This ambitious plan, outlined in Political Resolution 72-NQ/TW, aims to provide universal healthcare, with a key goal of eliminating out-of-pocket hospital fees by 2030.
The Core of the Transformation: A Focus on Prevention
The shift represents a fundamental change in thinking, prioritizing preventative medicine and primary healthcare. The goal is to ensure citizens receive quality medical services and comprehensive health management, starting at the grassroots level – commune health stations. This proactive approach is designed to reduce the burden on hospitals and improve overall public health outcomes.
Expanding Health Insurance Coverage and Reducing Financial Burden
Currently, approximately 95.16% of Vietnam’s population is covered by health insurance, representing over 97 million people as of December 31, 2025. However, despite high enrollment rates, significant financial burdens remain. Vietnamese households still cover around 37.4% of their medical expenses out-of-pocket, totaling an estimated 24.8 trillion VND annually in uncovered costs. The initiative to eliminate hospital fees aims to address this issue directly.
A Phased Approach to Free Healthcare
The implementation of free healthcare will be phased, beginning with basic medical services. The Ministry of Health is developing a list of services, diseases, medications, and medical equipment covered under the new policy, prioritizing common and essential conditions. Cost ceilings for medical examinations and treatments will also be established, initially focusing on primary and grassroots healthcare facilities.
Funding for this initiative will come from three primary sources: increased state budget allocation, adjustments to health insurance premiums (with a roadmap for 2027-2030), and social mobilization efforts. Citizens will be entitled to at least one free annual health checkup, integrated with existing programs like student health screenings and occupational health examinations.
Addressing the Growing Burden on the Health Insurance Fund
Vietnam’s health insurance fund has experienced significant growth in recent years, reaching 141.4397 trillion VND in 2024 – a substantial increase from 107.599 trillion VND in 2022. This rise is attributed to increased healthcare utilization, advancements in medical technology, the introduction of new drugs and equipment, and a growing prevalence of chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. The shift towards preventative care is intended to mitigate these escalating costs in the long term.
The Role of Technology and Electronic Health Records
The success of this healthcare overhaul hinges on the development of a robust electronic health record system. This will facilitate seamless information sharing between healthcare providers, improve care coordination, and enable more effective disease surveillance and prevention efforts.
Did you know?
Over 195.5 million medical examinations and treatments were covered by health insurance in 2025, a significant increase of over 11.9 million compared to 2024.
FAQ: Vietnam’s Healthcare Transformation
- What is the main goal of the healthcare reforms? To provide universal healthcare with a focus on prevention and eliminate out-of-pocket hospital fees by 2030.
- Who will benefit from these changes? All citizens of Vietnam, particularly vulnerable populations who currently face financial barriers to accessing healthcare.
- How will the reforms be funded? Through increased state budget allocation, adjustments to health insurance premiums, and social mobilization efforts.
- When will free healthcare be fully implemented? The implementation will be phased, with a target of 2030 for full elimination of hospital fees.
This ambitious undertaking reflects a strong commitment from the Vietnamese government to prioritize the health and well-being of its citizens, paving the way for a healthier and more prosperous future.