Ho Chi Minh City Allows Universal Health Check-ups Outside Registered Districts

Ho Chi Minh City is enhancing its universal health check-up initiative by removing geographical barriers, allowing residents to access medical services beyond their designated administrative areas. This new policy, effective from 2026, aims to empower citizens to choose healthcare facilities that best suit their location, work, or travel convenience.

The program's expansion is designed to streamline access to medical services and fully leverage the capacity of the city's healthcare system. Previously, some districts expressed uncertainty about how costs would be handled if residents sought care in different areas, and which facilities were authorized to provide these services. To address these concerns and ensure consistent application of the policy, the Department of Health has released detailed guidelines.

All Vietnamese citizens residing in Ho Chi Minh City, including those with permanent or temporary residency verified through the VNeID application, are eligible for the program, regardless of their registered address. However, individuals under the management of the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, and employees whose health checks are organized by their employers are excluded.

Initially, not all medical facilities will be permitted to conduct these cross-district check-ups. This phased approach ensures quality control, standardized examination procedures, and efficient management of electronic health records across the city. Only hospitals affiliated with ministries and central agencies, public hospitals, and regional health centers under the Department of Health will be authorized. Private clinics and local health stations are not included in this phase.

The financial aspect has been clarified: when a resident receives a check-up at a facility outside their home district, the resident's home district will not need to transfer funds to the service provider. Residents will not incur any additional costs. The Department of Health will manage the budgeting and payment settlement for the authorized public hospitals and regional health centers.