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—significantly 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.

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—only 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.

相反，在城市地区，医疗保健体系的运作轨迹却截然不同。城市化和生活方式的改变导致心血管疾病、糖尿病和癌症等非传染性疾病的发病率迅速上升[6]。中产阶级和上层阶级不仅关注治疗，还期望获得快速、便捷和个性化的医疗体验。这推动了专科诊所、居家护理服务和按需医疗解决方案的蓬勃发展，创造了一个充满活力、多细分的市场，与农村地区面临的信任挑战形成鲜明对比。

利基市场挑战

农村医疗保健市场面临诸多障碍：资金限制、缺乏医疗意识，以及对成本和复杂流程的心理顾虑。然而，这为负担得起、便捷易得且用户友好的预防性医疗服务创造了肥沃的土壤。迫切的需求主要集中在两个领域：

– 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.

– 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.

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.

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:

– 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 5–10 years, this cluster of diseases will become the main driver for long-term treatment and health management demand.

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

一个可行的方法是开发专科诊所、移动诊断服务、上门医生问诊和企业健康计划。这些解决方案不仅满足了人们对便利的需求，也为拓展儿科、老年病、心理健康、身心健康和个性化营养等更深层次的领域创造了机会。

结论

In conclusion, Vietnam’s healthcare dichotomy is both an undeniable reality and a rare opportunity. The gap in resources and spending—concentrated in cities while the majority of the population lives in rural areas—creates an “arbitrage” 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—in technology, operations, policy engagement, and branding—will not only achieve strong financial returns but also play a vital role in reducing one of the most pressing social inequalities in Vietnam today.

[1] 卫生部.医学检验诊疗管理司2024年终总结暨2025年任务落实会议使用权>

[2] 私营医疗机构占全国医院总数的 24%使用权>

[3] 政府新闻，批准 2021-2030 年国家医疗网络规划，展望 2050 年使用权>

[4] 越南卫生部，2021 年经济普查健康评估结果使用权>

[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 <使用权>

[6] 同奈网，非传染性疾病呈增加趋势且年轻化使用权>

[7] Tuyet Thi Nguyen，Maurizio Trevisan，转型中的国家越南：健康挑战使用权>

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