{"id":22532,"date":"2025-09-11T17:55:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T10:55:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/b-company.jp\/?p=22532"},"modified":"2025-09-11T17:55:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T10:55:08","slug":"bridging-the-healthcare-gap-urban-growth-and-rural-needs-in-vietnam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/b-company.jp\/vi\/bridging-the-healthcare-gap-urban-growth-and-rural-needs-in-vietnam\/","title":{"rendered":"Thu h\u1eb9p kho\u1ea3ng c\u00e1ch ch\u0103m s\u00f3c s\u1ee9c kh\u1ecfe: T\u0103ng tr\u01b0\u1edfng \u0111\u00f4 th\u1ecb v\u00e0 nhu c\u1ea7u n\u00f4ng th\u00f4n t\u1ea1i Vi\u1ec7t Nam"},"content":{"rendered":"
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B&Company is the first Japanese company specializing in market research and investment consulting in Vietnam since 2008.<\/em><\/p>\n

In this section “Vietnam Briefing”, young researchers of B&Company will provide timely information of Vietnam’s industrial trends, consumer trends, and social movements.<\/em><\/p>\n

This article is written in English and automatic translation is used for other language versions. Please refer to the English version for accurate content. Although we strive to ensure the accuracy of the original information, please check separately for each information. Interpretations and future prospects are the personal opinions of each researcher. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t

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Market overview<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Vietnam\u2019s healthcare system is currently dominated by the public sector, which accounts for 76% of all hospitals [1]. However, public hospitals are frequently overburdened, particularly in major cities, operating at over 200% of their designed capacity. This situation not only reduces the quality of care but also puts pressure on hospital infrastructure. Consequently, the construction and expansion of hospitals has become an urgent need to meet basic healthcare demands and alleviate overcrowding.<\/p>\n

Currently, in addition to public healthcare facilities, there are 384 private hospitals nationwide out of 1,645 hospitals nationwide, representing 24% [1]. However, the number of beds in private hospitals accounts for only 5.8% of the total. In Hanoi, these figures are slightly higher: 44 private hospitals represent 29% of total hospitals, with nearly 3,000 beds accounting for 6.5% of the total [2]. Most private hospitals focus on specialized services such as ophthalmology, dentistry, dermatology, cardiology, and oncology, usually with fewer than 50 beds [2].\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Percentage of public and private hospitals in Vietnam until 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Percentage<\/p>\n

Source: Ministry of Health<\/p>\n

The approval of the Healthcare Network Master Plan for the period 2021\u20132030, with a vision to 2050 (Decision No. 201\/Q\u0110-TTg), has set clear quantitative targets that directly translate into concrete construction demands [3]. Among these, hospital bed targets stand out as the most explicit indicators:<\/p>\n

Key Healthcare Infrastructure Targets under the National Master Plan (2025, 2030, 2050)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Indicator<\/strong><\/td>\nTarget 2025<\/strong><\/td>\nTarget 2030<\/strong><\/td>\nVision 2050<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Number of hospital beds \/ 10,000 population<\/td>\n33<\/td>\n35<\/td>\n45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Number of doctors \/ 10,000 population<\/td>\n15<\/td>\n19<\/td>\n35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Number of nurses \/ 10,000 population<\/td>\n25<\/td>\n33<\/td>\n90<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Proportion of private hospital beds (%)<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n15%<\/td>\n25%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Source: Ministry of Health<\/p>\n

These figures are not merely theoretical targets\u2014they also serve as key performance indicators (KPIs) for the Ministry of Health and provincial authorities. With a population of around 100 million, the 2030 target corresponds to a total of 350,000 hospital beds nationwide. This allows construction companies and investors to roughly estimate the market size and the number of beds that need to be newly built or expanded, forming the basis for viable business planning.<\/p>\n

Healthcare access in urban and rural areas<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Vietnam’s healthcare system faces a stark imbalance between urban and rural areas. According to the national census, four centrally governed cities recorded the highest doctor-to-population ratios in the country: Can Tho with 23 doctors per 10,000 people, Hanoi with 20.2, Da Nang with 17.9, and Ho Chi Minh City with 17.4\u2014significantly higher than the national average at that time of around 11.5 per 10,000 [4]. This capability gap leads to a phenomenon of “medical migration”, where the rural population bypasses local facilities to go directly to higher-level ones. A vicious cycle forms: patients leave, major hospitals become overcrowded, the quality of care declines, and trust in local healthcare erodes further.<\/p>\n

In rural areas, the barriers are not just a lack of personnel but also financial constraints, geographical distance, and psychological barriers such as cost aversion. As many as 94% of the population does not undergo regular health check-ups, and while the prevalence of non-communicable diseases is high, awareness is very low\u2014only 24% of hypertensive patients are aware of their condition [5]. The healthcare culture is thus reactive, with people “only seeking care when sick,” which misses opportunities for prevention and early intervention.<\/p>\n

Conversely, in urban areas, the healthcare system operates on a different trajectory. Urbanization and lifestyle changes have led to a rapid increase in non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and cancer [6]. The middle and upper classes are not only concerned with treatment but also expect a healthcare experience that is fast, convenient, and personalized. This has fueled a boom in specialized clinics, at-home care services, and on-demand health solutions, creating a vibrant, multi-segmented market that stands in stark contrast to the challenge of trust in rural areas.<\/p>\n

Niche market challenge<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The rural healthcare market faces numerous barriers: financial constraints, a lack of awareness, and a psychological hesitation towards costs and complex procedures. However, this creates fertile ground for affordable, accessible, and user-friendly preventive health services. Urgent demand is concentrated in two major areas:<\/p>\n

– Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Prevalence is high but awareness is low, with only 24% of rural residents with hypertension aware of their condition [7]. This presents a significant opportunity for community screening models, mobile services, and remote monitoring devices.<\/p>\n

– Maternal & Child Health: This remains an essential need, from nutrition in the first 1,000 days of life to convenient prenatal check-up packages and online consultations.<\/p>\n

A viable approach is to start with “small touchpoints” such as measuring blood pressure, blood sugar, and BMI at pharmacies, commune health stations, combined with remote consultations. These low-cost initial interactions build trust while creating a customer funnel for higher-value services like NCD management, recurring prescriptions, and nutritional counseling.<\/p>\n

The urban healthcare market is growing rapidly, driven by urbanization, lifestyle changes, and the demand for high-quality service experiences. This is a “multi-segmented” environment where sophisticated and personalized health solutions are increasingly essential. Prominent demand is concentrated in two major areas:<\/p>\n

– Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) & Lifestyle: Sedentary habits and imbalanced diets are causing a rapid rise in the rates of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and endocrine disorders. In the next 5\u201310 years, this cluster of diseases will become the main driver for long-term treatment and health management demand.<\/p>\n

– Premium & Personalized Services: The urban middle and upper classes desire a superior healthcare experience: no waiting, flexibility, and at-home or on-demand care.<\/p>\n

A viable approach is to develop specialized clinics, mobile diagnostic services, at-home doctor visits, and corporate wellness programs. These solutions not only meet the need for convenience but also open opportunities for expansion into deeper segments such as pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health, wellness, and personalized nutrition.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In conclusion, Vietnam’s healthcare dichotomy is both an undeniable reality and a rare opportunity. The gap in resources and spending\u2014concentrated in cities while the majority of the population lives in rural areas\u2014creates an \u201carbitrage\u201d that businesses can unlock by bridging it with technology, efficient processes, and restored trust. Models such as telehealth, B2B pharma, O2O platforms, and lean clinic chains are already market-proven and are now awaiting the catalyst of BHYT reimbursement, scheduled for July 1, 2025, to accelerate their growth. Those who prepare thoroughly\u2014in technology, operations, policy engagement, and branding\u2014will not only achieve strong financial returns but also play a vital role in reducing one of the most pressing social inequalities in Vietnam today.<\/p>\n

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[1] Ministry of Health. 2024 Year-End Review and 2025 Task Implementation Conference of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management <Access<\/a>><\/p>\n

[2] Private healthcare accounts for 24% of the total number of hospitals nationwide <Access<\/a>><\/p>\n

[3] Government News, Approval of the National Healthcare Network Planning for the 2021\u20132030 period, with a vision to 2050 <Access<\/a>><\/p>\n

[4] Ministry of Health, Vietnam Health Assessment Results from the 2021 Economic Census <Access<\/a>><\/p>\n

[5] Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy – Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Common health problems and trends in primary health care utilization among rural residents <Access<\/a>><\/p>\n

[6] Dong Nai online, Non-communicable diseases are increasing and getting younger <Access<\/a>><\/p>\n

[7] Tuyet Thi Nguyen, Maurizio Trevisan, Vietnam a country in transition: health challenges <Access<\/a>><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

* If you wish to quote any information from this article, please kindly cite the source along with the link to the original article to respect copyright.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
B&Company<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The first Japanese company specializing in market research in Vietnam since 2008. We provide a wide range of services including industry reports, industry interviews, consumer surveys, business matching. Additionally, we have recently developed a database of over 900,000 companies in Vietnam, which can be used to search for partners and analyze the market.<\/p>\n

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries.<\/p>\n

info@b-company.jp<\/em><\/a>\u00a0+ (84) 28 3910 3913<\/strong><\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

H\u1ec7 th\u1ed1ng ch\u0103m s\u00f3c s\u1ee9c kh\u1ecfe t\u1ea1i Vi\u1ec7t Nam \u0111ang ph\u1ea3i \u0111\u1ed1i m\u1eb7t v\u1edbi s\u1ef1 m\u1ea5t c\u00e2n b\u1eb1ng nghi\u00eam tr\u1ecdng gi\u1eefa khu v\u1ef1c th\u00e0nh th\u1ecb v\u00e0 n\u00f4ng th\u00f4n, d\u1eabn \u0111\u1ebfn hi\u1ec7n t\u01b0\u1ee3ng \u201cdi c\u01b0 y t\u1ebf\u201d.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":22534,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1357,85],"tags":[1204],"class_list":["post-22532","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-press-release-en","category-vietnam-briefing","tag-medical-nursing-en"],"yoast_head":"\nBridging the Healthcare gap: Urban growth and Rural needs in Vietnam - B-Company<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The healthcare system in Vietnam faces a stark imbalance between urban and rural areas, leading to a phenomenon of "medical migration".\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/b-company.jp\/vi\/bridging-the-healthcare-gap-urban-growth-and-rural-needs-in-vietnam\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"vi_VN\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Bridging the Healthcare gap: Urban growth and Rural needs in Vietnam - 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