Abstract

Public healthcare remains the backbone of Vietnam’s healthcare system, accounting for most hospital capacity and playing a central role in essential and insured healthcare services. At the same time, private healthcare is gradually expanding, particularly in major urban areas, as rising incomes and higher service expectations reshape demand. Recent policy direction, anchored in Politburo Resolution 72-NQ/TW issued in September 2025^[1], reinforces the shift toward prevention and grassroots healthcare while encouraging greater private–sector participation. This article examines the current public – private healthcare landscape and considers the implications of this evolving balance for healthcare providers, investors, and solution suppliers.

Vietnam’s healthcare system is expanding amid rising service demand

Both demand for care and system capacity are growing. Insured visits reached about 195.5 million in 2025, up 6.5% from a year earlier, and health insurance covered 95.16% of the population. By the end of 2025, the country had 15 doctors and 34.5 hospital beds per 10,000 people, up from 12.5 and 32 in 2023.[2] Growth in insured visits has since slowed to about 2.1% in the first eight months of 2026, while insured treatment costs rose by around 11%^[3].

Doctors and hospital beds per 10,000 people, 2023 vs 2025

Unit: Per 10,000 population

Source: Tuoitrevn

Public providers still carry most of the capacity, but the private sector is now a sizable part of the network. At the end of 2024, the Ministry of Health counted 1,665 hospitals nationwide, of which 384 were non-public, or 23.1%.[4] Yet private hospitals held only 5.8% of hospital beds. Many private hospitals are smaller-scale facilities, resulting in a much lower average bed capacity compared with public hospitals.[5]

Public vs private hospitals in Vietnam, 2024

Unit: number of hospitals; % of total

Source: Ministry of Health via Nhan Dan Newspaper; Deputy Minister of Health via Tuoi Tre Newspaper

Strengthening public healthcare through prevention and grassroots healthcare development

Vietnam’s healthcare policy continues to position the public healthcare system as the foundation for ensuring broad access to healthcare services. Recent policy direction places greater emphasis on prevention, early detection, and grassroots healthcare, while continuing to strengthen treatment capacity across the system.

A major focus of this direction is strengthening the role of commune–level healthcare facilities. Instead of relying mainly on hospitals for treatment after illness occurs, Vietnam aims to expand preventive services, regular health screening, disease management, and primary care at the community level. Resolution 72 sets concrete targets for this level of care. By 2027, every commune health station is to have at least four to five doctors, backed by the rotation of at least 1,000 doctors a year to commune stations during 2025–2030. The share of insured visits handled at commune health stations is to rise above 20%. From 2026, every resident is to receive a free periodic health check or screening at least once a year, together with an electronic health record[6].

Health insurance expansion remains another important pillar of public healthcare development. By the end of 2025, health insurance covered 95.16% of the population, or about 97.57 million people, with more than 12,300 healthcare facilities under contract to provide insured treatment nationwide — a network that spans both public and private providers. Under Decision 1468/QĐ-TTg, issued on 31 July 2026, the government set a five-year roadmap toward full coverage: 95.98% in 2026, rising to 96.86% in 2027, 97.76% in 2028, 98.67% in 2029, and 100% by 2030[7]. Alongside this expansion, the government continues to prioritize financial protection, including reducing direct out-of-pocket healthcare spending and expanding access to essential healthcare services.

Vietnam’s health insurance coverage, 2026 – 2030

Unit: % of population covered

Source: Vietnam Social Security

Encouraging private-sector participation to expand healthcare capacity and services

Vietnam’s policy direction increasingly recognizes the role of private providers in expanding healthcare capacity and improving service diversity. Rather than replacing the public system, private healthcare is expected to complement public services by mobilizing additional investment, introducing new service models, and addressing growing demand for higher-quality and specialized healthcare.

Recent policy documents have highlighted the importance of attracting private-sector resources into healthcare development. Politburo Resolution 72-NQ/TW (2025) calls for stronger development of private healthcare, encouraging investment in areas such as hospitals, specialized medical services, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, healthcare technology, and research and development.

Vinmec Healthcare System

Source: Laodongvn

Vietnam’s long-term healthcare planning also sets targets to increase private–sector capacity within the healthcare system. Under the national healthcare network planning for 2021 – 2030, with a vision toward 2050, the government aims for private hospital beds to account for at least 10% of total hospital beds by 2025, 15% by 2030 and 25% by 2050[8]. The interim target for 2025 has not been reached: private hospitals held only about 7% of beds in August 2026.[9] These targets indicate a long – term strategy to expand healthcare capacity through greater participation from non – state providers. Private–sector participation is expected to be particularly important in segments requiring specialized capabilities and higher investment, including advanced diagnostics, high-quality treatment, preventive healthcare, rehabilitation, and elderly care.[10]

Recent investments in private hospitals in Vietnam

Source: Tuoi Tre (Oct 2024), Tuổi Trẻ (Apr 2024), VnExpress (Jan 2024), Nguoi Quan Sat (Sep 2026), Markettimes (Sep 2026)

Market implications for healthcare businesses and investors

The gradual evolution of Vietnam’s healthcare system toward a more balanced public – private model will have implications for different stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem.

Main market implications across Vietnam’s public and private healthcare segments

Source: B&Company’s synthesis

Conclusion

Vietnam’s healthcare system is entering a period of structural development, driven by rising healthcare demand, expanding insurance coverage, demographic changes, and evolving expectations for healthcare quality. While public healthcare will continue to serve as the foundation of healthcare access and population health management, private providers are expected to play an increasingly important complementary role by expanding capacity and introducing more specialized and diversified services. The future development of Vietnam’s healthcare market will therefore depend not on a shift from public to private healthcare, but on how effectively both sectors can contribute to a more comprehensive healthcare ecosystem.

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[Infographic] Provinces with the highest concentration of patient beds in Vietnam

Digital transformation in the healthcare sector in Vietnam

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^[1] https://xaydungchinhsach.chinhphu.vn/nghi-quyet-72-nq-tw-cua-bo-chinh-tri-ve-mot-so-giai-phap-dot-pha-tang-cuong-bao-ve-cham-soc-va-nang-cao-suc-khoe-nhan-dan-119250912060746502.htm

[2] https://tuoitre.vn/plo/hang-loat-thay-doi-quan-trong-cua-nganh-y-te-nam-2025-109889000.htm

^[3] https://ansinh.tapchikinhtetaichinh.vn/quyet-liet-trien-khai-cac-giai-phap-kiem-soat-chi-phi-bao-hiem-y-te-167562.html

^[4] https://nhandan.vn/phat-trien-he-thong-y-te-phu-hop-ky-nguyen-moi-cua-dat-nuoc-post864088.html

^[5] https://tuoitre.vn/ti-le-giuong-benh-tu-nhan-con-rat-thap-so-voi-quy-hoach-cua-chinh-phu-20241021144231291.htm

^[6] https://xaydungchinhsach.chinhphu.vn/nghi-quyet-72-nq-tw-cua-bo-chinh-tri-ve-mot-so-giai-phap-dot-pha-tang-cuong-bao-ve-cham-soc-va-nang-cao-suc-khoe-nhan-dan-119250912060746502.htm

[7] https://baohiemxahoi.gov.vn/tintuc/Pages/linh-vuc-bao-hiem-y-te.aspx?CateID=169&ItemID=26882

[8] https://datafiles.chinhphu.vn/cpp/files/vbpq/2024/3/201-ttg.signed.pdf

^[9] https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/thu-truong-bo-y-te-y-te-tu-nhan-khong-nen-chay-theo-so-luong-20260820214920404.htm

[11] https://b-company.jp/bridging-the-healthcare-gap-urban-growth-and-rural-needs-in-vietnam/?

[12] https://b-company.jp/expansion-and-growth-strategy-of-private-hospital-chains-in-vietnam-and-international-cooperation-trends/

^[13] https://tuoitre.vn/quy-dau-tu-my-rot-von-vao-benh-vien-tu-nhan-20240415183539069.htm

^[14] https://znews.vn/nhieu-dai-gia-ngoai-muon-dau-tu-benh-vien-tai-viet-nam-post1461550.html

^[15] https://viettimes.vn/cuoc-dua-mo-rong-cua-ong-lon-benh-vien-tu-doanh-thu-tang-nhung-loi-nhuan-chua-duoi-kip-post206271.html