On the afternoon of April 15, 2025, the Da Nang Medical Association, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, the Department of Health, and the Da Nang Tourism Association, hosted the seminar titled “Developing Medical Tourism in Da Nang” at the Muong Thanh Luxury Da Nang Hotel.
The event saw the participation of distinguished guests, including Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, Member of the City Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang People’s Committee, and Mr. Tran Chi Cuong, Member of the City Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee. Additionally, over 200 delegates from various sectors attended, including government departments, hospitals, travel companies, accommodation providers, experts, and international investors, who play a crucial role in the economic development of the city.
In her opening remarks, Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Anh Thi articulated the significance of developing medical tourism as a pivotal element in the city’s strategic vision for advancing high-quality services. This initiative aligns with the broader objective of positioning Da Nang as a prominent socio-economic hub within the Central—Central Highlands region and across Vietnam. She underscored the city’s considerable potential in this sector, owing to its robust healthcare system, highly qualified medical professionals, comprehensive tourism infrastructure, and safe, welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.
The seminar was a testament to the collaborative spirit of stakeholders from various departments, health units, and businesses in bolstering Da Nang’s medical tourism sector. Their shared vision and commitment to continue research and proposals for support mechanisms and policies, enhancing inter-sectoral connections, and integrating services to ensure quality and efficiency, was evident. The city is dedicated to addressing challenges and providing comprehensive support to promote this initiative’s sustainable and practical development, uniting all involved in a common goal.
During the seminar, Ms. Tran Thanh Thuy, Director of the Department of Health, presented the “Da Nang Medical Tourism Development Project 2025–2030.” The project’s overarching objective is to elevate the quality of healthcare services, thereby fostering medical tourism and contributing to economic growth while enhancing the city’s global image. By 2030, the project envisions the enhancement of healthcare infrastructure to meet the needs of international visitors, the accreditation of at least two medical facilities, and the training of skilled healthcare professionals. Furthermore, it aims to diversify medical tourism offerings, strengthen Da Nang’s brand in this sector, increase the influx of international visitors seeking medical services, and establish an online support platform for tourists.
Ms. Bui Ngoc Nhu Nguyet, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Institute for Socio-Economic Development, emphasized the importance of quality standards in the city’s healthcare services. She noted that international tourists demonstrate a significant demand for health check-ups, post-COVID-19 recovery care, and traditional medicine services. However, integrated models and comprehensive service packages are absent. Strategic investment and adherence to quality standards aligned with the city’s medical branding could give Da Nang a competitive edge in the region, reassuring visitors of the city’s commitment to high-quality healthcare.
Representatives from various healthcare establishments, including Da Nang General Hospital, Thien Nhan Hospital, Da Nang Traditional Medicine Hospital, and Hospital 199 (Ministry of Public Security), shared valuable insights into their experiences delivering health services to foreign visitors. They discussed the opportunities such as the growing demand for health check-ups and post-COVID-19 recovery care, as well as the challenges associated with implementing medical tourism models, including the need for comprehensive service packages and the absence of integrated models.
A representative from WeAngels Innovation Investment Fund proposed integrating digital technologies and developing remote consultation, booking, and monitoring platforms to enhance operational efficiency and overall customer experience. Additionally, a recommendation was made to pilot an open innovation model in healthcare within the city to facilitate the testing of new policies and services.
During the discussion, Mr. Tran Chi Cuong, Vice Chairman of Da Nang People’s Committee, emphasized the importance of positioning medical tourism as a signature product for the city to derive added value from high-quality healthcare services. He highlighted the necessity of cultivating close cooperation between the healthcare sector, tourism operators, and businesses to establish a sustainable and well-branded model. Seminar delegates concurred that the success of medical tourism hinges on coordinated efforts among health, tourism, transportation, trade, and service enterprises. Furthermore, establishing quality evaluation criteria for medical tourism services was deemed essential, alongside facilitating investments from public and private healthcare entities to enhance facilities and services catering to international tourists. A proposal was made to establish a Medical Tourism Promotion Center, which would serve as a central hub for connecting information, products, and partners nationally and internationally, thereby promoting Da Nang as a medical tourism destination.
In her concluding remarks, Dr. Ngo Thi Kim Yen, Chairwoman of the Da Nang Medical Association, expressed her gratitude for the insights and ideas shared during the seminar. She underscored the importance of thoroughly analyzing the strengths and limitations of medical tourism models in other nations, particularly in Southeast Asia (e.g., Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia). The Medical Association is committed to collaborating closely with the Department of Tourism and the Department of Health to develop a well-structured medical tourism model tailored to Da Nang’s unique circumstances.
The “Developing Medical Tourism in Da Nang” seminar represents a significant initial step toward realizing the city’s vision of nurturing high-value service sectors, ultimately contributing to an enhanced quality of life, promoting the city’s image, and supporting sustainable socio-economic development.
DANANG CENTER FOR TOURISM PROMOTION
