Ho Chi Minh City waives student healthcare fees, subsidizes others
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In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, students will no longer pay for health insurance, and the government will cover half the cost for university students starting in the 2026-2027 school year.
The city began funding all student health insurance last year by adding to existing support, bringing the total assistance to 100 percent. University students typically pay 4.5 percent of the reference amount of 2,530,000 Vietnamese dong per month for health insurance, which equals about 113,850 dong.
The government will now contribute 50 percent of this cost, reducing the monthly payment for students to 56,925 dong. Schools can collect these fees in three ways: every three months, every six months, or annually. Students from low-income families who already have health insurance through their local communities will receive 70 percent support. Students can also pay at school if they haven’t yet registered locally, and will receive a refund for any overlapping coverage.
The city timed the health insurance cards to ensure continuous healthcare access. First graders will receive cards starting October 1st, or the following November or December, depending on their age. Cards for graduating students will be valid until the end of the school year. If a student’s card expires during hospitalization, the health insurance fund will continue to cover costs for up to 15 days after discharge.
