From Treatment to Prevention: Vietnam's Path to Universal Health Coverage
The Government of Vietnam is accelerating a structural shift in its healthcare system, from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. On September 9, 2025, the Politburo's Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW charted an ambitious path toward universal health coverage by 2030 and a modern, fair, and sustainable healthcare system by 2045. Following the resolution, in May 2026, two major policy moves mark a decisive step in that direction: the formal rollout of universal free annual health checkups and a broadened health insurance benefit package that now includes preventive care.
On May 6, 2026, the issuance of Directive 17/CT-TTg formally operationalized regular and free health check-ups and screening services for all people, assigning responsibilities to ministries, provincial governments, and health facilities to coordinate delivery, targeting the entire population by end of 2026. From 2026, every Vietnamese citizen is entitled to at least one free annual health check-up or screening, covering blood tests, biochemistry, ultrasound, and cardiovascular assessments adjusted by age group and risk factors, accompanied by a personal electronic health record for lifelong health management.
On the insurance front, a newly approved action plan expands health insurance coverage to over 95.5% of the population by 2026, incorporating preventive services, including periodic check-ups, chronic disease management, nutrition care, and mental health services, into the standard benefit package, with full universal coverage targeted by 2030. This represents a further layer of coverage expansion, building on priority group protections already enacted in early 2026: near-poor households and citizens aged 75 and above receiving social pensions are qualifying for full reimbursement of medical examination and treatment costs under the health insurance system.
The government estimates the annual checkup policy costs approximately VND 25 trillion (USD$1 billion), with the state budget contributing VND 6 trillion (US$227 million) for priority groups, while employer contributions and national health programs cover the remainder.
These reforms signal a structurally expanding healthcare market driven by policy mandate. Clear commercial pathways are emerging: nationwide electronic health records boost demand for digital infrastructure, expanded preventive screenings increase demand for diagnostic tools, and planned supplementary insurance pilots open opportunities for top-up coverage products.
