Every year, Vietnamese people spend around $2 billion on cancer treatment overseas. Many seek out prestigious hospitals and advanced therapies in hopes of extending life. Some succeed, while others end up with worsened conditions and heavy financial burdens, returning home for continued treatment.

Despite the financial strain on his family, N.D.M. (39, from Hanoi) took his mother to Singapore for stage-3 stomach cancer treatment four years ago after diagnosis.

With support from his wife, he sold a house to fund the treatment in Singapore. There, his mother received thorough care, from psychological counseling to medical treatment. However, the cost was overwhelming, over VND3 billion in just two months. 

M. also took his mother sightseeing on her off-treatment days to help her feel more at ease. Yet, due to homesickness and discomfort in an unfamiliar environment, his mother grew melancholic. After two months, M. had to bring her back to Vietnam for continued treatment. Sadly, she later passed away due to cancer recurrence and metastasis. Still, M. found solace in knowing he did everything possible to honor his mother.

T.M.H. (32, HCMC) also took his father abroad for inoperable esophageal cancer treatment. Seeking the best care, H. accepted high costs to ensure his father was treated in a comfortable environment, with hospital rooms resembling hotels and specialized nutrition plans.

T.M.H has maintained his father’s treatment at a cost of about VND100 million per month. In return, his father is healthier, eats well, and remains optimistic. For H., this is his way of showing filial piety to his parents.

Financially overwhelming

P.T.H. (Thanh Hoa) took her mother to Singapore for a combined trip and general checkup, only to discover she had rectal cancer. Due to her mother’s history of diabetes, the surgery was complex. 

Performed by a top professor, the surgery cost VND800 million, excluding related expenses like diabetes management (VND100 million), anesthesia (VND100 million), and intensive care (VND200 million). The total cost for the surgery and subsequent treatment exceeded VND2.5 billion.

After surgery, her mother was closely monitored, had scheduled check-ups, and underwent eight chemotherapy sessions. Doctors advised a low-carb, low-fat, hygienic diet to maintain her health. Each chemotherapy session cost around VND120 million, plus about VND5 million per day for living expenses in Singapore.

Having lost several family members to cancer, H. chose Singapore to ensure her mother received the best possible care. Still, she admitted it was “extremely costly.”

N.V.T. (45, from Thanh Xuan, Hanoi) shared with VietNamNet his experience of taking his mother to Guangzhou, China, for end-stage bile duct cancer treatment. After Vietnamese hospitals said there were no further interventions possible, he sought hope overseas.

Instead of Singapore, he chose China for its more affordable costs and worked through a reputable medical agency. Before the trip, T. thoroughly researched, consulting past patients and verifying services.

During six months in Guangzhou, his mother stayed in a private room with a translator and experienced minimal side effects. The total cost was about VND2 billion, lower than in Singapore. After treatment, her cancer indicators stabilized, but the disease returned a year later, and she passed away. Despite this, T. said he had no regrets about the money spent.

He emphasized that sending parents abroad for treatment requires solid financial preparation and thorough research to avoid unnecessary risks.

Dr Nguyen Trieu Vu, former head of the Oncology Department at Thu Duc Hospital (HCMC), said many Vietnamese patients opt for cancer treatment in Singapore due to concerns about overcrowding in public hospitals and lack of trust in private ones. However, he affirmed that Vietnam’s oncology expertise is on par with other countries in the region.

Vu noted that many patients who returned from overseas said the treatment plans in Vietnam and medications were not significantly different. What stood out abroad was the comprehensive psychological support and patient care, helping them feel more comfortable.

He added that most patients initially intending to go to Japan, Thailand, or Singapore decided to stay in Vietnam after receiving consultation. He advised that overseas treatment is generally suited for those with strong finances, viewing it as a form of “medical tourism.” For families with limited resources, careful financial consideration is crucial before making a decision.

Phuong Thuy