Health insurance covers 81.7 percent of Vietnam’s population
Health insurance covered 81.7 percent of Vietnam’s population in 2016, 2.7 percent higher than the target set by the Prime Minister, according to the Vietnam Social Security (VSS).
Medical workers give advice to a patient at the general hospital of Cho Moi district, Bac Kan province (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Health insurance covered 81.7 percent ofVietnam’s population in 2016, 2.7 percent higher than the target set by thePrime Minister, according to the Vietnam Social Security (VSS).
As of December 31, about 75.9 million people werecovered by health insurance, VSS Deputy General Director Nguyen Minh Thao saidat a meeting on administrative reforms and setting tasks for 2017 on January 3.
He said the insurance sector paid medicalexpenses for 144 million times in 2016, a year-on-year increase of 10.8percent. The estimated 69.41 trillion VND (3.05 billion USD) paid by insuranceexceeded the medical insurance fund by 5.13 trillion VND (225.7 million USD).
Many localities blamed the exceeding on thescheduled increase of healthcare service fees and frauds made by both insurancebuyers and medical establishments.
Thao said last year, the VSS and its localagencies stepped up streamlining administrative procedures and applyinginformation technology. While the number of administrative procedures has beenreduced to 32, it now takes businesses only 45 hours per year to work with thesocial insurance bodies to process relevant procedures.
The sector is set to push forward withadministrative reforms and IT application in 2017 to develop a modern,professional and effective social insurance system.
Social, health and unemployment insurance covered a total of 76.1 millionpeople last year, rising by 5.9 million from 2015. Up to 12.9 million peopleparticipated in mandatory social insurance, and 203,000 others bought voluntaryone. Unemployment insurance covered 11.1 million people.-VNA
As of August 2016, health insurance expenditure by 37 localities exceeded their designated expenses by over 3.4 trillion VND. If the trend is not tackled, imbalance will occur in 2019.
Public health insurance was discussed at a recent conference held by the Party Central Committee's Economic Commission and the Vietnam Social Insurance Agency (VSIA) in the central city of Da Nang.
The insurance market in Vietnam is poised for robust growth in 2017, bolstered by the anticipated improved economic outlook, along with the Government’s policies of promoting the services market.
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has emphasised the need to provide better health care service for the elderly by developing a standardised caring system in health facilities and in the community, especially for those in rural and mountainous areas.
The Government has targeted over 90 percent of nationwide population covered with health insurance by 2020. Despite preferential policies to encourage citizens to buy health insurance, the number of health insurance card holders, especially household health insurance, remains low due to red tape.
Vietnam now boasts a nationwide healthcare network with 1,665 hospitals, 384 of which are non-public, supported by local commune- and ward-level stations. At the end of 2024, hospital bed capacity reached 34 per 10,000 people, slightly above the global average.
The 56-year-old patient from Quang Tri province was discharged in stable condition as he no longer experienced shortness of breath and was able to walk, move around, and eat normally.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Vu Trung, Director of the Pasteur Institute, said that under the MoU, the two sides committed to promoting diverse and practical collaborative activities, including joint conferences and workshops, exchanges of scholars, researchers and students, sharing academic materials, and the development of specific programmes and projects in scientific research, training, and epidemic prevention.
TytoCare, a leading Israeli telemedicine company based in Netanya, is willing to work with Vietnamese regulators, insurers, and healthcare providers to develop a sustainable digital health ecosystem.
The partnership is under the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding on the development and implementation of the National Action Plan on Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control, signed in Hanoi on July 22.
An estimated 7 million Vietnamese are currently living with diabetes, but about 50% remain undiagnosed, a dangerous gap that is fuelling serious, preventable complications and increasing the burden on the healthcare system.
In 2024, Vietnam achieved 99% coverage for the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, up from 80% in 2023. Immunisation coverage in the country has not only rebounded to the high levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic but has now surpassed the rates recorded in 2019.
Health authorities in HCM City have issued an urgent alert after six people died from dengue fever, amid a spike in infections driven by the onset of the rainy season.
During the peak months of July and August 2025, the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) needs at least 90,000 units of blood to supply 180 hospitals in the northern region. However, despite continuous efforts, the reserve blood is still short of 30,000 units.
The Hanoi ceremony highlighted efforts to ensure all citizens, especially women and youth, can access accurate information and healthcare services to make informed reproductive choices.
After such a long time, the law has revealed many limitations, prompting the Ministry of Health (MoH) to gather opinions to amend the law to give more chances to thousands of patients every year.
Currently, cardiovascular specialists from the 108 Military Central Hospital are working alongside a team of Prof.Dr. Jan D. Schmitto, Deputy Director of MHH’s Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery on clinical trials for MCS devices, implanted in heart failure patients either as a bridge to transplantation or as permanent treatment.
The centre not only serves residents living on the island, but also receives tens of thousands of visitors every year, according to Assoc Prof Dr Tang Chi Thuong, Director of the HCM CIty Department of Health.
Not only does Vietnam attract international tourists with its landscapes, culture, and cuisine, but it is also gradually becoming a reliable destination for medical treatment, offering high-quality services at reasonable costs.
Over the past six months, 150 communal health stations in provinces including Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Tay Ninh, Hau Giang, Ben Tre and Ca Mau have been equipped with information technology systems. In addition, 117 key provincial healthcare workers have received training, with thousands more expected to follow.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Ministry of Health swiftly launched a telemedicine programme, connecting more than 1,000 medical establishments nationwide. The model, which remains in operation, has benefited tens of thousands of patients, including foreign nationals.
After more than three weeks of intensive treatment, the patient's pneumonia improved, breathing stabilised, sedation was reduced, and the breathing tube was removed. He is now conscious, able to eat orally, and in recovery.
Medical workers give advice to a patient at the general hospital of Cho Moi district, Bac Kan province (Photo: VNA) 
