Ho Chi Minh City: Over 5 Million Receive Health Check-ups Amidst Regional Disparities

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's southern economic hub, has seen over 5 million residents receive health check-ups as part of an ambitious campaign to establish electronic health records for all citizens by 2026. According to the municipal Department of Health, as of July 20, a total of 732,873 residents had undergone periodic check-ups and had electronic health records established. This figure reflects encouraging initial results from the citywide campaign, one of the largest community healthcare programmes ever undertaken in the metropolis. However, while several localities have achieved coverage rates of more than 60%, some others still have rates below 5%, highlighting considerable disparities in programme implementation. Achieving universal health check-ups in 2026 will lay the foundation for a new healthcare model in which every resident has an electronic health record, receives regular screenings, benefits from lifelong health management, and gains access to early intervention through primary healthcare services. The integration of AI and technological innovation is also expected to enhance healthcare quality. The model is an important component of the roadmap to turn Da Nang into a specialised medical centre for the central and Central Highlands regions, with a number of key specialties, in line with the spirit of Politburo Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW dated September 9, 2025, on breakthrough solutions to strengthen the protection, care and improvement of people's health. The newly inaugurated interventional radiology unit is expected to become a reputable medical facility in Vientiane and a bridge for stronger cooperation in training and technology transfer between Vietnam and Laos, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam. As of July 2026, 163 of the city's 164 hospitals, or 99.4%, adopted electronic medical records, the report said. About 64% of public hospitals and 65% of private hospitals now run the technology across their entire operations. The Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology Department at Hong Ngoc General Hospital features a team of experienced physicians who have worked at leading cardiovascular centers in Vietnam. Director of the municipal Department of Health Tang Chi Thuong said a key prerequisite for attracting foreign patients is a strategy to develop centres of medical excellence. He proposed selecting hospitals and specialties with strong expertise for investment towards international standards, particularly in competitive fields such as cardiology, oncology, robotic surgery, assisted reproduction, paediatrics, dentistry, cosmetic medicine, specialised health check-ups, traditional medicine and rehabilitation. Through this MOU, the US Department of State, working with Congress, plans to provide 98.75 million USD in life-saving global health assistance over the next five years, including 21.385 million USD in dedicated Global Health Security funding, to support Vietnam’s transition to full country ownership of its HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis programmes while strengthening its capacity to detect and respond to emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats. The cooperation will also support Vietnam in strengthening its healthcare capacity and gradually enhancing self-reliance in HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis prevention and control programmes, as well as in responding to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Health on September 10 reviewed a pilot programme combining hospital-based practice with work at grassroots health stations and organised the fourth healthcare job fair, attracting nearly 1,000 candidates and 94 recruiters offering 806 positions. Vietnam will launch nationwide screening for five groups of school-related diseases and health conditions among students from preschool through high school from 2028, including overweight and obesity, refractive errors, spinal curvature, oral diseases and mental health disorders. Assoc Prof Dr Lê Dinh Thanh, Director of Thong Nhat Hospital, said the transplantation was the result of long-term preparation, spanning the development of medical protocols, training, infrastructure upgrades, and interdisciplinary coordination. An expert has stressed that geriatric care must go beyond treating acute illnesses to include rehabilitation, occupational therapy, nutrition and self-care guidance, helping older people maintain independence and quality of life. According to the infectious disease surveillance system, nearly 100,000 cases were reported so far this year, more than 2.5 times over the same period last year. The number of cases remains high in southern cities and provinces. According to the Hanoi Department of Health, the city has 4,776 educational institutions with more than 2.2 million preschool and school students. The health campaign will run from August 18 to September 4, targeting 100% coverage before the new school year begins. The healthcare sector has undergone significant transformation in recent years to realise the Politburo’s Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW on breakthrough solutions to improve healthcare delivery and public health. The two-day forum features high-level policy discussions and dialogues between State management agencies and the business community, as well as international experiences from Malaysia, China, and other partners. According to the Hanoi Centre for Disease Control (CDC), 316 dengue cases were recorded across 74 communes and wards in the city from August 7-14, up 81 from the previous week. Eleven new outbreaks were also reported, bringing the total number since the beginning of 2026 to 63, with 24 still active. Medical tourists to Vietnam currently mainly comprise overseas Vietnamese and visitors from Cambodia, Laos, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Australia and several European countries. Popular services include cosmetic dentistry, assisted reproduction, aesthetic medicine, general health check-ups and some advanced medical specialties. Ho Chi Minh City's participation in the global Cities for Better Health network marks a step forward in implementing its Action Plan through 2030, with a focus on tackling overweight and obesity, particularly among school-age children. Associate Prof., Dr Tran Vinh Hung, Director of Binh Dan Hospital, said the hospital became Vietnam’s first medical facility to perform robotic surgery on adults in late 2016, marking a major milestone for the country’s surgical sector. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.