Growing the health tourism sector

Although health tourism is still new to Vietnam, it sees plenty of potential. Vietnam has an abundance of natural resources to provide natural health remedies to the health tourism industry, particularly hot springs and mineral springs. The Vietnam National Institute and Hospital of Acupuncture, alongside travel companies, are implementing a programme on combining travelling with acupuncture and acupressure. To date, thousands of people have joined the programme.

Although health tourism is still new to Vietnam, it sees plenty of potential. Vietnam has an abundance of natural resources to provide natural health remedies to the health tourism industry, particularly hot springs and mineral springs.

The Vietnam National Institute and Hospital of Acupuncture, alongside travel companies, are implementing a programme on combining travelling with acupuncture and acupressure. To date, thousands of people have joined the programme.

Some of Vietnam’s most popular tourist sites offer added health benefits.

Thap Ba Hot Springs in the central coastal city of Nha Trang, the Kim Boi Mineral Waters in the north-western province of Hoa Binh and the Vietnam National Institute and Hospital of Acupuncture are all places where visitors can enjoy traditional therapies.

Also, the Vung Tau Medicoast in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province and Hoan My Dalat hospital in Da Lat provide health tourists with high-quality medical services.

An increasing number of foreigners are arriving in Vietnam to embark on health tours, as the country is known worldwide for its traditional herbal medicine. The Vietnam National Institute and Hospital of Acupuncture is internationally recognised and more affordable than similar institutions in countries such as Thailand and Singapore.

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT)’s development strategy aims to turn the country into one of the world’s top destinations by 2010. VNAT plans to advertise Vietnam on international television networks, as well as in newspapers in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia.