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Children's health in Ho Chi Minh City

No carte Vitale and no mandatory family doctor: in Saigon, an expat family chooses its clinic, pays or claims on its insurance, and finds paediatricians who speak French, notably at FV Hospital, founded by French doctors. Here is how it works, with verified addresses and the French-speaking practitioners listed on public directories.

Verified on 30 October 2026

How the health system works

An overstretched public system in Vietnamese, a good-quality international private sector, and insurance that makes all the difference: expat families live almost entirely in the private sector.

Good to know

  • No insurance is required on arrival, but the consulate strongly recommends it: care, especially private, is very expensive and the French State covers neither hospitalisation nor repatriation. Source
  • A spouse employed under a Vietnamese contract pays into public health insurance from one month of contract: it gives access to public hospitals, of uneven quality and in Vietnamese, and most families keep private international insurance, often provided by the employer. Source
  • The consulate keeps a list of the city's French- and English-speaking health facilities: the Centre Médical International (CMI), FV Hospital, Family Medical Practice, Raffles Medical, plus laboratories and the big public hospitals where some doctors speak English. Source
  • There is no French-style reimbursement: you pay for the consultation, or the clinic bills the insurer directly when an agreement exists; check your insurer's list of partner facilities before choosing one.
  • Dengue circulates, especially in the rainy season, and Ho Chi Minh City often ranks among the most polluted cities in the dry season: repellent and mosquito nets, an N95 mask during peaks and an air purifier at home. Source

Addresses

  • Hôpital FV

    Hospital

    6 Nguyễn Lương Bằng, Tân Mỹ (ancien district 7)

    Founded in 2003 by Dr Jean-Marcel Guillon and his partners, JCI-accredited four times in a row, a member of Thomson Medical Group: over 210 Vietnamese and expatriate doctors, 45 specialties, 24/7 emergency and paediatrics, maternity. The reference hospital for French families.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN, VI

    Website Source

  • Centre Médical International (CMI)

    30 Phạm Ngọc Thạch (ancien district 3)

    Saigon's historic French-speaking medical centre, listed by the consulate: GPs and specialists consulting in French, English and Vietnamese. Its website was down when we checked: go through the consulate or the phone.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN, VI

    Source

  • Family Medical Practice (FMP)

    Diamond Plaza, 34 Lê Duẩn (ancien district 1) ; Thảo Điền ; Phú Mỹ Hưng

    International family clinic with three sites in town (Diamond Plaza downtown, Thao Dien, Phu My Hung) and a Care1 centre: GPs, paediatricians, vaccinations, 24/7 emergency and ambulance on *9999.

    Languages spoken : EN, VI, FR

    Source

  • Raffles Medical Hô Chi Minh-Ville

    285B Điện Biên Phủ, Xuân Hòa (ancien district 3)

    Clinic of the Singaporean group, listed by the consulate: internal medicine, paediatrics and vaccinations, open seven days a week, in English and Vietnamese.

    Languages spoken : EN, VI

    Website Source

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Choosing a clinic and baby check-ups

There is no compulsory registration and no assigned family doctor: you choose a clinic, open a file there for each child and book directly with the paediatrician. The French carnet de santé remains the reference document.

Good to know

  • Open a file at a family clinic on arrival, before anyone is ill: the child's passport, insurance card and health record are enough; FV paediatricians consult in Vietnamese, English, French and Russian. Source
  • The French health record has no imposed equivalent: private clinics keep a digital file and issue a local vaccination booklet; bring the French carnet to each visit so that vaccines already given are recorded.
  • At FV, paediatrics follows the child from birth to adolescence, offers vaccination packages from 0 to 24 months, newborn screenings (hearing, heart), teleconsultations and home visits within 30 km. Source
  • For day-to-day follow-up in French, the CMI remains the French-speaking reference centre downtown, and Family Medical Practice (Diamond Plaza, Thao Dien, Phu My Hung) is the other family clinic listed by the consulate. Source
  • Ask your insurer for its list of direct-billing facilities and keep a copy of reports: files do not travel from one clinic to another.

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Emergencies and children's hospitals

115 answers in Vietnamese and public ambulances are slow: families call their private hospital's 24/7 emergency line directly, which sends its own ambulance. The two big public children's hospitals remain the reference for serious cases.

Good to know

  • Emergency numbers: 113 police, 114 fire, 115 medical emergencies and 112 unified number; operators generally speak Vietnamese. Source
  • For a genuine emergency outside opening hours (serious accident, hospitalisation, death, arrest), the consulate general answers on 09 03 72 19 78; this number is not for visa questions. Source
  • FV's emergency department runs 24/7 with a dedicated service for newborns and children, triage by severity and ambulances equipped as mobile intensive care units: (028) 35 11 35 00. Source
  • The American International Hospital, in An Phu near Thao Dien, hosts a satellite station of the city's 115 emergency centre and answers on 1155; Family Medical Practice, listed by the consulate, also provides emergency and ambulance cover from its Diamond Plaza clinic. Source

Addresses

  • Hôpital FV, urgences et pédiatrie

    Emergency

    6 Nguyễn Lương Bằng, Tân Mỹ (ancien district 7)

    24/7 emergency with a dedicated paediatric service (newborns, infants, children), intensive care, MICU ambulances; the reference address for French families, in the south of the city.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN, VI

    Website Source

  • Family Medical Practice, Diamond Plaza

    Emergency

    Diamond Plaza, 34 Lê Duẩn, quartier de Saïgon (ancien district 1)

    Clinic open 24/7 with emergency service and ambulance (*9999), right downtown; branches in Thao Dien and Phu My Hung.

    Languages spoken : EN, VI, FR

    Source

  • Bệnh viện Nhi Đồng 1 (hôpital pédiatrique n° 1)

    Hospital

    341 Sư Vạn Hạnh, Vườn Lài (ancien district 10)

    Big public children's hospital of southern Vietnam, in Vietnamese, the reference for serious conditions and paediatric intensive care; appointments on 19002115.

    Languages spoken : VI

    Website Source

  • Vinmec Central Park

    Hospital

    720A Điện Biên Phủ, Thạnh Mỹ Tây (Bình Thạnh)

    International hospital of the Vinmec group at the foot of the Vinhomes Central Park towers: emergency department, paediatrics and neonatology, obstetrics; English interpreters on site.

    Languages spoken : EN, VI

    Website Source

  • American International Hospital (AIH)

    Hospital

    An Phú (ancien district 2)

    International hospital in An Phu, near Thao Dien, built to JCI standards: paediatrics and neonatology, obstetrics, and a satellite station of the city's 115 emergency centre; emergency line 1155.

    Languages spoken : EN, VI

    Website Source

Go further

French-speaking doctors, dentists and therapists

The consulate does not publish a named list of doctors but a list of French-speaking facilities. We completed it with the public directory of FV Hospital, listed by the consulate, which gives the languages of each practitioner: here are those who consult in French. They work privately; the choice is yours and we publish no reviews.

Good to know

  • The consulate's list records the facilities where you can consult in French (CMI, FV) or in English (Family Medical Practice, Raffles); it is provided for information and does not engage the administration's responsibility. Source
  • At FV Hospital, each practitioner profile lists the languages spoken: five paediatricians, five GPs including three French nationals, two dentists, two psychologists and four obstetrician-gynaecologists consult in French. Source
  • For a French-speaking child psychologist or speech therapist, also ask the French schools and Saigon Accueil: independent practitioners appear on no official list and we do not reproduce them here.

Addresses

  • Dr Nguyen Thi Dieu Huyen

    Paediatrician

    Hôpital FV, Tân Mỹ (ancien district 7)

    Paediatrician and neonatologist, head of FV Hospital's paediatrics and neonatology department.

    Languages spoken : VI, EN, FR

    Website Source

  • Dr Ho Xuan Anh

    Paediatrician

    Hôpital FV, Tân Mỹ (ancien district 7)

    Paediatrician, FV Hospital.

    Languages spoken : VI, EN, FR

    Website Source

  • Dr Nguyen Thi Thanh

    Paediatrician

    Hôpital FV, Tân Mỹ (ancien district 7)

    Paediatrician and neonatologist, FV Hospital.

    Languages spoken : VI, EN, FR

    Website Source

  • Dr Pham Bich Chi

    Paediatrician

    Hôpital FV, Tân Mỹ (ancien district 7)

    Paediatrician and neonatologist, FV Hospital.

    Languages spoken : VI, EN, FR

    Website Source

  • Dr Phan Thi Thanh Huyen

    Paediatrician

    Hôpital FV, Tân Mỹ (ancien district 7)

    Paediatrician and neonatologist, FV Hospital.

    Languages spoken : VI, EN, FR

    Website Source

  • Dr Stephan De Rouck

    General practitioner

    Hôpital FV, Tân Mỹ (ancien district 7)

    General practitioner and family medicine, FV Hospital.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN, VI

    Website Source

  • Dr Alain Beauchamp

    General practitioner

    Hôpital FV, Tân Mỹ (ancien district 7)

    General practitioner, FV Hospital.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN, VI

    Website Source

  • Dr Daniel Philippidès

    General practitioner

    Hôpital FV, Tân Mỹ (ancien district 7)

    General practitioner, FV Hospital.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN, VI

    Website Source

  • Dr Le Dinh Phuong

    General practitioner

    Hôpital FV, Tân Mỹ (ancien district 7)

    Head of FV Hospital's internal medicine department, consults in French.

    Languages spoken : VI, EN, FR

    Website Source

  • Dr Vu Truong Son

    General practitioner

    Hôpital FV, Tân Mỹ (ancien district 7)

    General practitioner and family medicine, FV Hospital.

    Languages spoken : VI, EN, FR

    Website Source

  • Dr Huynh Le Hai Trinh

    Dentist

    Hôpital FV, Tân Mỹ (ancien district 7)

    Dentist and orthodontist, FV Hospital dental department.

    Languages spoken : VI, EN, FR

    Website Source

  • Dr Nguyen Thi Bich Chieu

    Dentist

    Hôpital FV, Tân Mỹ (ancien district 7)

    Dentist, FV Hospital dental department.

    Languages spoken : VI, EN, FR

    Website Source

  • Bui Thi Quynh Anh

    Psychologist

    Hôpital FV, Tân Mỹ (ancien district 7)

    Clinical psychologist, FV Hospital clinical psychology department.

    Languages spoken : VI, EN, FR

    Website Source

  • Nguyen Thi Thu Hien

    Psychologist

    Hôpital FV, Tân Mỹ (ancien district 7)

    Psychologist, FV Hospital clinical psychology department.

    Languages spoken : VI, EN, FR

    Website Source

Go further

Pregnancy and maternity units

Pregnancy is followed by an obstetrician-gynaecologist, privately for expats, with all-inclusive birth packages. International maternity units have paediatricians in the delivery room; the big public Tu Du maternity hospital remains the reference for Saigon women.

Good to know

  • FV Thomson maternity offers pregnancy follow-up, antenatal classes, vaginal or caesarean delivery, Vietnam's first water birth service, a paediatrician in the delivery room, lactation consultants and home visits, with a 24/7 helpline. Source
  • Four FV obstetrician-gynaecologists consult in French: Dr Vo Trieu Dat, Dr Huynh Thi Hieu, Dr Tran Nhat Thang and Dr Vo Thi Thanh Van. Source
  • Vietnamese maternity leave lasts six months, of which no more than two before the expected birth date, with one extra month per child from the second, and five covered antenatal visits; it applies to employees enrolled in social insurance. Source
  • Compare birth packages (nights, caesarean, neonatal care) and check what your insurance covers, as many policies impose a waiting period for maternity.

Addresses

  • FV Thomson, maternité de l'hôpital FV

    Maternity

    6 Nguyễn Lương Bằng, Tân Mỹ (ancien district 7)

    Pregnancy care, water birth, paediatrician in the delivery room, breastfeeding support; within JCI-accredited FV Hospital, in the south of the city.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN, VI

    Website Source

  • Hanh Phuc International Hospital

    Maternity

    18 Binh Duong Boulevard, Bình Hòa (ancien Thuận An) ; clinique à Estella Place, 88 Song Hành, An Phú

    International hospital dedicated to mother and child (obstetrics, paediatrics, fertility), the first in the country recognised by ACHSI; maternity packages, and a consultation clinic at Estella Place, near Thao Dien.

    Languages spoken : EN, VI

    Website Source

  • Bệnh viện Từ Dũ (hôpital Từ Dũ)

    Maternity

    284 Cống Quỳnh, Bến Thành (ancien district 1)

    The big public maternity hospital of southern Vietnam, downtown: pregnancy care, deliveries, fetal medicine and fertility; in Vietnamese, with an English version of the website.

    Languages spoken : VI

    Website Source

  • Vinmec Central Park

    Maternity

    720A Điện Biên Phủ, Thạnh Mỹ Tây (Bình Thạnh)

    Obstetrics and gynaecology department, neonatology and paediatrics at the Binh Thanh international hospital.

    Languages spoken : EN, VI

    Website Source

Go further

Pharmacies and medicines

Pharmacies are everywhere, from modern chains to neighbourhood counters, and many medicines are sold without a prescription. Doliprane does not exist under that name: look for paracetamol. And beware of counterfeits outside reputable chains.

Good to know

  • The big chains (Pharmacity, Long Chau, An Khang) have dozens of counters in town, a delivery app and a pharmacist on call; international hospitals have their own pharmacy, handy after a consultation. Source
  • Never buy medicines in the street, because of counterfeits, and check that your treatments are authorised in Vietnam; the law is strict on certain products. Source
  • Bring regular treatments in their original packaging with a prescription using international non-proprietary names (INN), then have them renewed by a local doctor: a French prescription has no official value there. Source
  • Equivalents: paracetamol (Efferalgan, Panadol, Hapacol sachets for children) for Doliprane, ibuprofen for Advil, 'nuoc muoi sinh ly' for saline solution, Oresol for rehydration salts; antibiotics are often sold without a prescription, do not use them without medical advice.
  • In case of dengue, strictly avoid anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, aspirin): only paracetamol is indicated, and a sudden fever means consulting quickly. Source

Addresses

  • Pharmacity

    Shop

    Dans tous les quartiers (siège à Bình Thạnh)

    The big pharmacy chain, born in Ho Chi Minh City: counters in every neighbourhood, delivery app and pharmacist advice.

    Website Source

Go further

Vaccines: how the schedule differs from France

The national programme vaccinates Vietnamese children free of charge against eleven diseases, including tuberculosis and Japanese encephalitis, absent from the French schedule. Expat families have their children vaccinated at private clinics, following the French schedule plus travel vaccines.

Good to know

  • The expanded programme on immunisation (tiem chung mo rong) covers eleven diseases free of charge: tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, hepatitis B, measles, Japanese encephalitis, cholera, typhoid and Hib; it runs through public health centres, in Vietnamese. Source
  • Two differences visible from the maternity ward: hepatitis B is given within the first 24 hours and BCG within the first weeks, whereas in France BCG is no longer routine. Source
  • On top of the up-to-date French schedule (diphtheria, tetanus, polio, pertussis, measles), France Diplomatie recommends, depending on the length of stay, hepatitis A, typhoid, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis and rabies, especially for young children; rabies is endemic and stray dogs are everywhere, including in town. Source
  • Vaccines on the French schedule that are not in the Vietnamese public programme (pneumococcal, meningococcal, rotavirus, chickenpox, flu) are given at private clinics, at your expense or through insurance. Source
  • Where to vaccinate: family clinics (Family Medical Practice, FV with its 0 to 24-month packages), VNVC centres and the Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi Minh City, whose vaccination service is at the rear entrance, 252 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia. Source

Addresses

  • Institut Pasteur de Hô Chi Minh-Ville

    167 Pasteur, Xuân Hòa (ancien district 3)

    The historic institute founded in the French era: public vaccination service (children, travellers, rabies) and laboratory tests, access through the rear entrance at 252 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia.

    Languages spoken : VI

    Website Source

  • VNVC, centres de vaccination

    The private chain of vaccination centres, present across the city: full schedule, imported vaccines, online booking.

    Languages spoken : VI, EN

    Website Source

Go further

These landmarks do not replace the advice of a health professional. In an emergency, call the local emergency number shown above.

A place has closed, something has changed? Tell us: the mums of Ho Chi Minh City will thank you.

Sources for this page

The public pages these landmarks come from. The official website always prevails.

  1. 1 Consulat général de France à Hô Chi Minh-Ville, liste de notoriété (professionnels de santé)
  2. 2 Consulat, en cas d'urgence
  3. 3 France Diplomatie, santé au Vietnam
  4. 4 Hôpital FV, urgences
  5. 5 Hôpital FV, pédiatrie et néonatologie
  6. 6 Assurance sociale du Vietnam, congé maternité
  7. 7 Programme élargi de vaccination du Vietnam
  8. 8 Hôpital FV, médecine générale (langues des praticiens)

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