There's a minor genre on social media now: a foreigner in Da Nang films a hospital visit, holds up the bill and looks astonished. The videos are real, and so is the reason behind them. Public care here can be fast and cheap. But a good outpatient visit isn't the whole system, and foreign residents need a plan for the day something goes badly wrong.

Last verified: October 11, 2026. This is general information, not medical advice. In an emergency, call for help first and read later.

The numbers to save now

Put these in your phone today:

  • 115: medical emergencies and ambulance
  • 113: police
  • 114: fire and rescue
  • 112: a national hotline for incidents, natural disasters and requests for assistance

The 112 hotline was set up under Decision 2023/QD-TTg, signed in September 2025. It's run by the Ministry of National Defence and connects with the existing 113, 114 and 115 services, VietNamNet reported. It doesn't replace them.

Operators may not speak English. Have your address written down in Vietnamese, including the new ward name. Our ward map guide explains what changed in 2025.

Public hospitals: the praise, and the context

In July 2026, Tuoi Tre News looked at why foreigners were posting videos praising Da Nang's public hospitals, including the Da Nang Eye Hospital, Hospital 199, the Traditional Medicine Hospital and the Oncology Hospital. Posters cited low costs, short waits, attentive care and accurate diagnoses. One American visitor paid 45,000 dong, about $1.70, for an eye examination.

Hospital officials credited investment in facilities, better-qualified doctors and foreign-language training, while keeping public-sector fees. Tran Thanh Thuy, director of the city's Department of Health, told the paper the city plans further improvements, including shorter waits and better language skills, and wants to expand cooperation with international insurers.

The city is also trying to treat more conditions locally instead of referring patients elsewhere. Read about the satellite hospital network.

What the videos don't show: big public hospitals can be crowded, you should expect much of the paperwork to be in Vietnamese, and the experience of a quick eye exam doesn't tell you much about a complicated admission. Bring a Vietnamese-speaking friend if you can.

Private hospitals and international clinics

Private hospitals set their own prices rather than public-sector fees. Vinmec Da Nang International Hospital, a private hospital, started operating in September 2017, according to its website. It lists departments including emergency medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and general surgery, at 30 Thang 4 Street in Hòa Cường ward.

You can mix the two: a private clinic for routine care and a public hospital for specialist treatment, or the other way round. There's no single right answer.

The insurance question

Low prices for a consultation are a poor guide to the cost of a serious accident or an evacuation. Before you need it, check:

  • whether your policy covers you in Vietnam, and for how long;
  • whether it covers motorbike accidents, and on what license conditions;
  • which hospitals bill your insurer directly, and which expect you to pay and claim back; and
  • whether it covers medical evacuation.

Local risks to know about

  • Dengue. The city had more than 4,200 cases by October 1 this year, 2.4 times last year's figure. Use repellent, and see a doctor about a high fever. Don't wait it out.
  • The sea. Swim only in lifeguard zones. See our beach guide.
  • The rainy season brings floods and road closures. See what to expect.

Your health checklist

  • Save the emergency numbers and your address in Vietnamese.
  • Know where your nearest public hospital and private clinic are.
  • Keep a copy of your passport, visa and insurance card on your phone.
  • Write down any allergies and regular medications in Vietnamese.

Sources

This story was compiled by the Da Nang Voice news desk from the published sources listed above. Facts, figures and quotes are attributed to those sources; Da Nang Voice did not conduct interviews for it unless the text says so. Corrections are dated and noted at the top of the story. Read our corrections policy. Spotted an error? Tell us.