VOV.VN - All Vietnamese citizens will be entitled to a free annual health check-up or screening from 2026, while basic hospital fees covered by health insurance will also be waived by 2030.
These provisions are among the key highlights of Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW of the Politburo, signed by Party General Secretary To Lam on September 9, which sets out breakthrough solutions to protect, care for, and improve public health in the new context.
The resolution shifts the focus of the health system from treatment to prevention, aiming for comprehensive, lifelong health care with people placed at the centre. Priority will be given to disadvantaged groups, the poor, children, and ensuring gender equality in access to quality health services.
By 2030, the average life expectancy of Vietnamese people is targeted at 75.5 years, with at least 68 healthy life years. The average height of children and adolescents is expected to increase by at least 1.5 cm. By 2027, all commune-level health stations must be fully equipped with facilities, medical devices, and human resources, including 4–5 doctors per station. The share of primary health care services covered by health insurance at the grassroots level is set to exceed 20%.
Health insurance coverage will expand to 95% of the population by 2026 and move towards universal coverage by 2030. Preventive health care, traditional medicine, expanded immunisation, public health emergency response, and military–civilian–police medical cooperation will be strengthened to ensure essential services reach remote and disadvantaged communities.
Another notable point is the establishment of “National Health Day” on April 7 each year that coincides with World Health Day to promote physical exercise, healthier lifestyles, and a culture of well-being in society.
Resolution 72-NQ/TW also emphasises the need to reform health financing to ensure sustainability; expand fair and reasonable hospital fee policies; strengthen grassroots health care; developing science, technology, and digital transformation in health; and improve training, remuneration, and retention of high-quality medical personnel.
The idea of universal free health care has been a recurring theme in Vietnam’s policy discussions, reflected in Party resolutions, government programmes, and statements by senior leaders.
The 2013 Constitution stipulates that the State shall invest in and develop a public health care system, with free medical services for children under six, and support for the poor, ethnic minorities, and people with meritorious service.
Resolution 20-NQ/TW of the Politburo issued in 2017 emphasises universal health insurance, aiming to provide basic medical services for all citizens. The latest Resolution 72-NQ/TW continues this approach, highlighting equitable access to public health services, with free or low-cost care prioritised for vulnerable groups, children, and the poor.
Vietnam’s legal framework also underlines these commitments. The 2014 Law on Health Insurance provides free treatment for children under six, the poor, and policy beneficiaries through a State-financed insurance fund. National Target Programmes on poverty reduction and social security also include provisions for free or subsidised health care for poor and near-poor households.
Meanwhile, the revised 2023 Law on Medical Examination and Treatment reinforces the principle of equity in access and strengthens the State’s responsibility to ensure free or subsidised basic services.
At a working session with the Government’s Party Committee in May 2025, Party General Secretary To Lam called for a roadmap to reduce health care costs for citizens, aiming to achieve universal free hospital care by 2030–2035, and to implement annual health check-ups for all. A month earlier, at a meeting with police officers who had taken part in the southern battlefield during the resistance war, General Secretary Lam reaffirmed that the Party would prioritise health care development, with the goal of free medical treatment for the entire population.
The implementation of the resolution is expected to build a modern, fair, sustainable, and people-centred healthcare system that can protect citizens’ health, reduce inequality, and meet Vietnam’s socio-economic development goals toward 2030–2045.
VOV.VN - Vietnam will gradually provide its citizens with free annual health checkups from 2026 to 2030, toward the ultimate goal of universal free health care by 2045, said Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan at a Government press briefing in Hanoi on May 6.
VOV.VN - Vietnamese and Chinese military doctors on April 12-13 have jointly provided free medical check-ups, consultations, and medicine to around 1,000 residents, mainly elderly and policy beneficiaries, in the northern border province of Lang Son.
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