just in case you ‘break a leg’ in Hoi An: our experiences with Hoi An and Da Nang Hospitals - so far.

One of the most common questions that we’re asked around here is about medical care. From our limited experience in hospitals, from broken bones to fevers, we’ve made our way through a few - below I’ve shared some of the details of our visits, the experiences and the cost for the injuries, care provided to give you an idea of what you can expect in case you have to visit a hospital in Hoi An or Da Nang.

Visiting Hoi An Local Hospital | Reason: Fall/Broken Ankle

Earlier in the day, Jamie and I had both walked by the broom that was sitting near the front step, both of lamenting later that we had meant to pick it up before someone fell on it. Someone tripped on it bringing out the trash - and that someone was Jamie.

I heard him yell and ran outside where he was on the ground. He got up, hobbled inside and laid down. It was more pain than he had ever been in with a fall injury - so along we went for an X-ray. I was going to bring him

In Hoi An, we visited Hoi A Public Hospital. The total cost was 5,300,000 VND including an initial exam, x-ray, a consult from a surgeon, casting, medication for ten days and crutches. Overpriced by a lot, if you compare to the pricing guide I found. We probably won’t return to this one.

Visiting Pacific/Saigon Hospital in Hoi An | Reason: Fever (ish)

Our visit to Pacific Hospital - recently changed names to Saigon, was prompted by a visit to the VNVC vaccine clinic. Our daughter had been bitten by a dog that month. At the visit for her third injection for the rabies vaccine in Hoi An, she had a temperature of 37.4. The staff couldn't vaccinate with an elevated temperature, so they sent us to Pacific Hospital for a full workup. In the end, she had tonsillitis that wasn’t yet symptomatic. They insisted on a barrage of blood tests in addition to the examination.

One of hand, for something that I generally wouldn’t consider a fever, it felt excessive. On the other hand, she did have a dog bite injury three weeks before so staff was probably being extra cautious. Total for one-hour visit with basic labs (CBC etc.) and a round of antibiotics was just shy of 6,000,000.

Visiting VinMec International Hospital in Da Nang: Reason: Broken fibula/rabies anti-serum

Note: Vinmec is our top choice for an emergency, or for children

This isn’t our first rodeo for a broken bone in Vietnam. On the visit before we last made it our home base our daughter broke her leg while riding on the back of a bicycle. The cost for treatment for a broken leg in Da Nang, Vietnam was 2,1,00,000 VND for a visit to the Vinmec International Hospital with an initial exam, x-ray, ulstrasound and casting. This visit was comfortable, slower than the international hospital and took about four hours to complete, with a translator there every step of the way.

Our second visit to the hospital was more urgent-feeling, after our daughter had a minor bite from a dog on the beach. With her incidence of rabies here in Hoi An, we wanted to get treatment, including the anti-serum and post-bite vaccinations. This process was seamless, with a translator through the whole process and cam with a cost of 3,600,000 VND for the rabies anti-serum treatment that wasn’t available in Hoi An, and the first vaccination. It was a gruelling total of seven injections - but didn’t cause too much of an impact, because that child still pets most dogs she sees.

Visiting Family Hospital in Da Nang | Reason: X-ray, assessment, cast removal

To remove the cast, a friend suggested Family Hospital. Jamie had corresponded with the hospital ahead of time and confirmed the price was significantly lower in their international clinic, compared to the local Hoi A Public Hospital, and VinMec. It was just under 600,000 to have a follow up x-ray, consult with a physician and have the cast removed.

Family Hospital is one that we would return to for urgent care - and you can also schedule appointments ahead of time for any screening, health issues. At the hospital, there was no language barrier, and every step of the way we had a staff member to help guide us where to go next. The process was seamless, quick and we were very happy with the care provided.