Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan: Alongside establishing a national brand identity, it is necessary to diversify communication approaches to promote the development of medical tourism

On the afternoon of April 3, 2026, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Health, Prof. Dr. Tran Van Thuan, Deputy Minister of Health and Chairman of the National Medical Council, chaired a hybrid in-person and online meeting to review the progress of the development of the Project “Medical Tourism Development for the 2026–2030 Period”.

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan chaired the meeting

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; leaders of several departments and agencies under the Ministry of Health; as well as representatives from hospitals, organizations, associations, and travel and tourism businesses.

Dr. Ha Anh Duc, Director of the Medical Services Administration, delivered a report

A representative of the Medical Services Administration reported on the implementation progress of Plan No. 1636/KH-BYT dated November 12, 2025, issued by the Ministry of Health on the development of the Medical Tourism Development Project for the 2026–2030 period. In the draft presentation, delegates were briefed on the six major sections of the Project outline, which set out key tasks and solutions: improving institutions, mechanisms, and policies for medical tourism development; developing medical tourism service product packages and value chains in connection with local professional strengths and tourism resources; enhancing professional capacity and the quality of medical tourism services; building and positioning Vietnam’s national medical tourism brand; applying information technology and digital transformation in the management and operation of medical tourism services; and strengthening international cooperation in medical tourism development. The Project will be implemented nationwide, with priority given to provinces and cities that have favorable conditions for tourism development and high-quality healthcare systems.

Delegates discussed at the meeting

Under the chairmanship of Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan, delegates participating both online and in the meeting room discussed and proposed several important groups of content to further complete and strengthen the Project outline. Key topics included: intersectoral coordination mechanisms in state management of medical tourism; the development and implementation of medical tourism service packages; the establishment of a national information portal on medical tourism; the current situation, potential, and advantages of localities in developing medical tourism in the context of integration; and proposed orientations for local medical tourism development within the framework of the Project.

Delegates joined the discussion online

Hospitals and travel agencies also shared their views and information related to the Project, including: their potential and advantages in terms of expertise, facilities, customer sources, and service development capacity; proposals for a coordination model between healthcare facilities and travel businesses in developing and providing medical tourism service packages; recommendations on amending institutions and policies on medical service pricing in traditional medicine as an important basis for expanding healthcare models in this field; and specialized training in medical tourism services, among others.

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan delivered the concluding remarks at the meeting

In his concluding remarks, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan affirmed that Vietnam is currently among the countries with rich and attractive potential, as well as competitive advantages in attracting international visitors. The development of the Medical Tourism Development Project for the 2026–2030 period aims to establish mechanisms, policies, and investment to improve tourism and healthcare services, with a focus on developing medical service packages that meet international standards and medical service packages linked with tourism.

The Deputy Minister of Health requested the Medical Services Administration to take into account the comments and contributions of the delegates, closely follow the fixed framework of the outline, and edit and revise it for further improvement. He particularly emphasized that, alongside completing the contents related to national brand positioning, it is necessary to diversify communication and promotion methods, considering this one of the key solutions that will make an important contribution to bringing the image of Vietnam’s medical tourism to the world.

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan: Alongside positioning the national brand, it is necessary to diversify communication methods for medical tourism development

The Deputy Minister of Health requested the relevant unit under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to coordinate with the Medical Services Administration (Ministry of Health) to continue working with hospitals and travel service companies to develop feasible service packages and products for wellness, healthcare, and traditional medicine therapy tailored to different groups of tourists. The Project should cover a broader scope, not limited to international visitors but also including overseas Vietnamese and domestic tourists. The two units should soon advise on and organize a nationwide workshop to gather broad feedback from ministries, sectors, localities, hospitals, associations, and businesses in the tourism sector.

The success of the Project will create a breakthrough in the development of medical tourism, contribute to improving public health, promote economic growth, and showcase the image of a modern, humane, and culturally rich Vietnam, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan emphasized./.