Medical tourism in Lam Dong, why not?

Medical tourism is emerging as a sustainable development trend of the global tourism industry. More than just a vacation, more and more tourists are looking for destinations that combine medical examination, health care and physical and mental recovery.

Recently, in Tien Thanh ward (Lam Dong), a National Conference on Medical Tourism associated with sustainable development took place.

"Strong candidate"

According to international reports, the global medical tourism market in 2024 will reach a scale of 100 billion USD, with an impressive growth rate of 15 - 25%/year.

In Vietnam, medical tourism is identified as a potential field, bringing dual value: economic development and improving public health. The domestic market reached about 700 million USD in 2024 and is expected to reach 4 billion USD in 2033, increasing by an average of 18% per year. This is not a small number, reflecting the opportunity for breakthroughs if localities take advantage of their own potential.

Vietnam currently possesses many advantages to develop this field. Among them, the increasingly modern medical system, highly qualified medical staff, along with a long-standing treasure of traditional medicine and competitive service costs compared to countries in the region such as Thailand, Korea or Singapore.

Warm climate of Lam Dong coastal area (Photo by colleague)

In particular, the combination of healthcare services and local tourism experiences, from culture, cuisine, climate to traditional herbs, is creating a distinct difference in the Vietnamese medical tourism model.

In that potential picture, Lam Dong is emerging as a “bright candidate”. Located at the connecting position between the cool plateau of Da Lat and the sea of ​​Phan Thiet, Lam Dong is a land with a harmonious blend of nature, climate, culture and people.

Plus the cold weather of the plateau (Photo by colleague)

Not only is it the “resort capital” of the South, this place is also highly appreciated for its traditional medicine resources with precious medicinal herbs such as artichoke, angelica, polygonum multiflorum, herbal tea… being grown and developed on an increasingly large scale.

According to statistics, in the first 7 months of 2025, Lam Dong welcomed more than 11.5 million visitors; of which, nearly 800,000 were international visitors. Tourism revenue exceeded 31,000 billion VND, a favorable foundation for the province to strongly develop the health tourism segment, towards sustainability and differentiation.

What does Lam Dong need to do to break through?

To make medical tourism not just stop at potential, Lam Dong is gradually implementing specific solutions.

Ms. Huynh Thi Phuong Duyen, Director of Lam Dong Provincial Department of Health, said: “Lam Dong is the largest locality in the country, with more than 3.8 million people. This is a huge advantage. The province has a cool climate in the highlands and a warm climate in the coastal areas, which is very suitable for developing medical tourism and healing tourism. Lam Dong people are also known to be friendly, gentle and hospitable.”

Artichoke medicinal herb area in Lam Dong (Photo by colleague)

Ms. Duyen also affirmed that the province's outstanding strengths also come from high-tech agriculture, especially large-scale medicinal plant growing areas with rich varieties. This is the foundation for developing highly indigenous health care services such as: herbal spa, natural therapy, and rehabilitation using traditional medicine.

Currently, the province has 3 provincial general hospitals, 3 provincial traditional medicine hospitals and 2 provincial rehabilitation hospitals. This is the foundation system to help form resort tourism models combined with treatment, serving both local people and domestic and foreign tourists.

Graphics: N.Russia

Not stopping at potential, Lam Dong is taking drastic action. It is expected that in September, the Provincial People's Committee will organize a large-scale Investment Promotion Conference; in which, the healthcare sector is one of the key contents.

According to Ms. Duyen, the Department of Health has proposed 18 investment projects, focusing on high-quality hospitals, stroke treatment centers, cardiovascular interventions, medical tourism projects and resort hospitals.

“We clearly identify that we not only attract tourists to Lam Dong to relax, but also help them feel secure if they need medical treatment or to recover their health during their vacation. That is the difference,” Ms. Duyen affirmed.

Health care at Provincial Dermatology Hospital

“With hundreds of tourism projects being implemented across the province, integrating medical and healthcare projects is completely feasible. The Health Department will continue to advise the Provincial People's Committee on specific directions so that the projects can soon become a reality, making medical tourism a part of the local socio-economic development strategy,” Ms. Duyen added.

Agreeing with this direction, Mr. Ha Van Sieu, Deputy Director of the National Tourism Administration, said that for medical tourism to develop substantially and sustainably, there needs to be a unified ecosystem between tourism - healthcare - culture - business. In which, human resources supporting intermediaries play a key role.

“We not only need good doctors or professional tour guides, but also people who can connect services, provide health advice, and medical interpretation. They are the ones who create a smooth journey, bringing a relaxing and reassuring experience to tourists,” said Mr. Sieu.

Mr. Sieu highly appreciates the potential for developing this model in Lam Dong, where unique ecological regions converge: the cool plateau of Da Lat, rich primeval forests and sunny and windy coastline.

Graphics: N.Russia

Mr. Sieu said that in a world full of pressure and modern diseases, Lam Dong can completely become "a place where people come to be healed, where tourists not only become healthier, but also feel lighter.

With the available foundation and synchronous participation from the government, medical tourism in Lam Dong can completely become a driving force for green economic development, associated with social security and affirming the province's position on the Vietnam tourism map.

And the question, Medical tourism in Lam Dong, why not, when this place has all the elements to become an ideal destination for journeys of healing both physically and mentally? will be answered soon in the future.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/du-lich-y-te-o-lam-dong-tai-sao-khong-388874.html