Vietnam’s healthcare market is geographically concentrated, with distinct characteristics and opportunities in each major city. For US doctors evaluating where to establish or join a clinical practice, the choice of city affects patient demographics, salary potential, competition for positions, regulatory processing speed, and quality of life. This guide profiles the top cities for US physicians practicing in Vietnam, with practical information on the healthcare landscape in each.
Ho Chi Minh City: Vietnam’s Healthcare Capital
Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is Vietnam’s largest city and its undisputed private healthcare hub. It is home to the highest concentration of international-standard hospitals and foreign-invested clinics in the country, including:
FV Hospital (French-managed, JCI-accredited);
Hanh Phuc International Hospital;
Family Medical Practice (multiple locations);
Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital;
An Sinh Hospital.
For US doctors, HCMC offers:
The largest pool of English-speaking expatriate patients and medical tourism visitors;
The highest compensation packages for foreign physicians;
The greatest variety of specialty positions;
The most active foreign-invested healthcare investment market, with opportunities for US doctor-owners.
The regulatory environment is managed by the HCMC Department of Health. Processing of operating licenses and practice licenses is generally efficient relative to other provinces due to the high volume of applications and experienced staff.
Quality of life in HCMC is high by Vietnamese standards, with excellent international schools, restaurants, and transport links—though traffic congestion and urban density can be challenging for newcomers.
Hanoi: Government Hub and Growing Private Market
Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, offers a different but complementary market for US physicians:
Strong presence of government and diplomatic community patients, who often prefer internationally-trained physicians;
Growing international hospital sector (Vinmec Times City, Hong Ngoc Hospital, Hong Ha Hospital);
Family Medical Practice Hanoi;
Close proximity to the central MOH offices in Hanoi, which can be advantageous for managing the license recognition process directly.
For US specialists in government health advisory roles, international organization positions (WHO, USAID health programs), or academic medicine, Hanoi offers unique opportunities not available in HCMC. Compensation levels are slightly below HCMC but the cost of living is also lower. The expatriate community is smaller but well-established.
Da Nang: The Emerging Medical Tourism Destination
Da Nang has emerged as one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing cities and a significant medical tourism destination, particularly for visitors from South Korea, Japan, and across Southeast Asia. For US doctors:
Growing number of private clinics catering to medical tourism patients;
Lower competition from other foreign physicians compared to HCMC and Hanoi;
Strong demand for English-speaking practitioners;
Beautiful coastal lifestyle attracting foreign residents.
The Da Nang Department of Health manages healthcare licensing for the region. As a smaller regulatory office, processing can be more variable but often more accessible for direct engagement. US doctor-owners may find lower setup costs and less competitive real estate for clinic premises compared to HCMC.
Nha Trang and Phu Quoc: Resort City Opportunities
Vietnam’s resort cities—particularly Nha Trang and Phu Quoc—represent a niche but growing market for US physicians, driven by medical tourism, expatriate retirees, and the tourism industry workforce:
Phu Quoc: Rapid development of international resort infrastructure has created demand for Western-standard medical facilities serving hotel guests and expatriate residents.
Nha Trang: Established tourism economy with growing demand for medical services catering to Korean, Russian, and Western tourists.
For US doctors willing to accept lower patient volumes in exchange for a resort lifestyle, these locations can offer interesting opportunities. The regulatory framework is the same nationwide—the applicable authority is the provincial Department of Health in Khanh Hoa (for Nha Trang) or Kien Giang (for Phu Quoc).
Regulatory Considerations by Location
Under Article 7 of Decree 148/2025/ND-CP, the authority responsible for issuing Vietnamese medical practice licenses to foreign doctors is the provincial Department of Health in the province where the doctor intends to practice. This means:
A US doctor registered to practice in HCMC must apply to the HCMC Department of Health for their practice license;
Changing the registered practice location requires a license amendment application;
The MOH recognition of the foreign license is the same regardless of province—it is the subsequent practice license application that is province-specific.
US doctors planning to practice at multiple locations should be aware that Vietnamese practice licenses specify a single registered facility. Practicing regularly at multiple facilities may require additional registrations.
Quality of Life Comparison
Beyond the regulatory and market factors, quality of life considerations influence city choice for US doctors:
HCMC: Best international schooling options; most cosmopolitan lifestyle; highest cost of living (for Vietnam); tropical climate year-round.
Hanoi: Four distinct seasons; strong cultural and historical character; slightly lower cost of living; excellent local food scene.
Da Nang: Beach lifestyle; more relaxed pace; smaller expatriate community; excellent domestic and regional flight connections.
Nha Trang / Phu Quoc: Resort lifestyle; smaller communities; limited international schooling options; excellent for childless professionals or retirees.
Most US doctors with families choose HCMC or Hanoi for the international schooling options; single practitioners or couples often find Da Nang an appealing balance of opportunity and lifestyle.
Conclusion
Ho Chi Minh City remains the top choice for most US doctors seeking clinical employment or clinic ownership in Vietnam, offering the largest market, highest compensation, and best infrastructure. Hanoi, Da Nang, and Vietnam’s resort cities offer compelling alternatives depending on specialty, lifestyle preferences, and career goals. TTVN Legal advises US physicians on location strategy as part of comprehensive medical licensing and investment planning services.
Need expert legal support for healthcare investment in Vietnam? TTVN Legal | 101 Nguyen Van Thu, Tan Dinh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam +84 349661336 | tham@ttvnlegal.com.vn | https://ttvnlegal.com.vn/
