Vietnam’s quiet health-care revolution The future of healthcare in Vietnam is rapidly changing, led by enterprising new companies entering the segment anxious to put new technologies to work in innovative, novel and amazing new ways. New modern hospitals have been constructed in the heart of several smaller cities such as Nha Trang, Vung Tau and Phu Quoc, and the nation now has two internationally accredited general hospitals— one in Hanoi and the second in Ho Chi Minh City. The Vinmec Health Care System has been at the epicentre of the revolution, paving the way in giving effect to new technological advances and leading the nation in setting international standards of care as the new norm. The Vinmec Health Care System currently operates four full-service hospitals and two outpatient clinics across the country. In 2015, the Vinmec International Hospital in Hanoi became the country’s first general hospital to receive its Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. Since then, the FV Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City has also received JCI accreditation. Both Vinmec and FV Hospital have staff fluent in Vietnamese and English and offer a full range of surgical services in almost every medical specialty – everything from general surgery to treat colorectal cancer, gastroesophageal reflux and hernias, to minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgical options. In addition, the Cao Thang Eye Hospital located in Ho Chi Minh City has been JCI accredited since 2009. Though many other private hospitals in the country have not yet received international accreditation, they still offer skilled medical teams that work in state-of-the-art medical and surgical suites, delivering personalized care using highly sophisticated medical technology. The largest cities have the most hospitals and offer the best services. The best medical care in Vietnam is in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but the majority of diseases and medical emergencies can be treated competently in the smaller towns and cities. Family Medical Practice has a well-regarded clinic in Danang that can treat most medical concerns, and they also have clinics in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. SOS International has clinics in Vung Tau, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, providing good but relatively more expensive outpatient medical care. English-speaking staff are the norm at both Family Medical and SOS. Public hospitals can treat most medical issues and may have English-speaking doctors on staff, though it is advisable to have access to a Vietnamese translator to better communicate with medical and nursing staff. The public hospitals in the larger metropolitan areas tend to provide the best care. Medical care in smaller and rural communities is oftentimes limited and unreliable. Public hospital consultations are usually inexpensive, costing less than US$10. The cost for other tests, office visits, lab tests and medical procedures are also similarly inexpensive. A consultation with a specialist at Vinmec or FV Hospital costs less than US$40. Many private hospitals and clinics, such as SOS International and Family Medical Practice, are more expensive, but they do accept insurance. Some facilities market their own hospital-specific health insurance plans. Vietnam has earned a solid reputation for quality and affordable dental care. Dental procedures cost a small fraction of what they do in Australia, and the quality of care is second to none. International dental clinics with English-speaking dentists are located in all major cities. They attract large numbers of foreigners from Australia, Europe and the US. When it comes to healthcare, Vietnam is finding its footing, having undergone a quiet healthcare revolution.  VOV