As from 1 January 2026, Vietnam will further strengthen its compulsory health insurance system by providing full reimbursement of medical examination and treatment costs for people from near-poor households and senior citizens aged 75 and above who receive social pension benefits (11 groups of people will have 100% of their medical examination and treatment costs covered by health insurance from January 1, 2026)
This policy marks a positive step forward in improving healthcare access and reducing financial pressure on vulnerable groups, reflecting the Government’s continued commitment to social welfare and universal health coverage.
However, while public health insurance plays a critical role as a social safety net, it is primarily designed to ensure basic and standardized care. As medical needs become more diverse and expectations around service quality continue to rise, private health insurance remains an important complement to the public system.
Private health insurance helps individuals and families access wider hospital choices, faster treatment, higher limits, and more flexible services, addressing gaps that compulsory coverage may not fully meet.
Together, public and private health insurance form a balanced and sustainable healthcare ecosystem for Vietnam’s population.
