Having a Baby in Vietnam

Vietnam has limited resources for expectant mothers as compared to other developing countries in the region. However, that is not to say that it would not be safe for women to deliver their children in Vietnam. There are still a number of hospitals complete with adequate facilities that can accommodate the needs of expecting expat mothers.

Last February 2010, GlaxoSmithKline, a multinational healthcare company, together with Institute of Social and Medical Studies convened with 28 leaders in Vietnam to talk about and examine the critical topics and priorities in the maternal and newborn health of the country. This roundtable discussion aimed to reduce the maternal mortality rate in Vietnam and to provide maternal education for the women. This is certainly good news for both expats and local mothers.

For the newborn babies, the Preventive Medicine Center of Ho Chi Minh has now given out a 5-in-1 vaccine targeting babies born on April 1, 2010 onwards. The vaccine is against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough); Hepatitis B and Haemophilus Influenza.

Foreign hospitals like the L'Hospital Francais located in Hanoi offer maternity package, inclusive of delivery, for approximately $2,500 USD.

FV or Franco-Vietnamese Hospital is the only internationally accredited healthcare facility in the country. According to its website, it provides the highest level of maternity and gynecological services available in Vietnam, modeled from the services in Europe. The hospital employs the highest standards in prenatal monitoring, delivery, and newborn care. It also recognizes international insurance. If your insurance is not on their accredited list of insurance partners, the hospital can contact the insurance company and arrange an agreement with them prior to giving birth.