Hanoi French Hospital (HFH)

"I visited the French Hospital in Hanoi for dermatology because I wanted to continue my skincare treatment and also check a recent hair loss issue I’ve noticed since moving to Hanoi four months ago. ⭐️ Positives • The dermatologist (Vietnamese) and the English-speaking staff member were both kind and communicated well. • The reception staff speak basic English, which is helpful for expats. ❗️Negatives / What Really Surprised Me 1. Skin Consultation I was honestly shocked by how limited their dermatology services are. They told me they do not use any technologies or techniques to treat scars or improve skin texture. No medical peels, no CO₂ laser, none of the basic dermatology equipment that most international hospitals or clinics normally have. The examination itself was extremely basic — the doctor just looked at my skin closely and touched it. No tools, no magnifying device, no proper analysis… nothing. The only treatment they could offer for any skin concern was a basic face cream. 2. Hair Loss Consultation The doctor asked me how many hairs I lose per day, saying that “hair loss” only counts if it’s 100+ hairs. I explained that I obviously don’t sit and count them — but the visible thinning is worrying enough. They suggested a blood test (which is normal), but unlike other hospitals in Hanoi, the test was not included in the consultation fee. They asked for an additional 10 million VND, even though the possible treatments afterward would only be: • a shampoo • a spray • vitamins (No advanced options, no technologies, nothing.) I refused the test because it didn’t make sense to pay that much for such limited treatment options. 3. Cost & Waiting Time I paid over 2 million VND just for the consultation, and then waited more than an hour to receive a very basic written report. Overall, this was definitely my worst medical visit in Hanoi so far. I’ve paid much less elsewhere for far more advanced, effective, and professional care. I personally wouldn’t recommend the French Hospital for dermatology if you expect modern equipment, proper diagnostics, or impactful treatment options"

"Great experience at Hanoi French Hospital. I broke my clavicle in Da Nang and after many negative experiences at local hospitals there, I found Hanoi French Hospital. I flew there and had a consultation with a French surgeon who scheduled the surgery for the next day. The operation went well and I am now recovering. Dr François Duroux was great, very kind and human, and extremely professional. The staff is very friendly and helpful and everyone speaks English very well, some employees even speak French. The price for the surgery and 1 night at the hospital was more than reasonable. I felt safe and well taken care of. I recommend."

"This hospital is modern, staff speak perfect English. I was seeing extremely fast. They took the time to address all my questions and provide guidance. The doctor that saw me, had very good bed side manner, very professional and reassuring. (Spoke English and French) No translation needed at all. I was impressed to receive this quality of care that match and even surpassed what I would've received back home in Quebec."

"Never felt better being white and privileged. Got an tiny fight on with an wheelchair so I broke my clavicle :/ The prices are high very high, like European nieveu, lucky my insurance pays everything. The food is great and the spa is a must visit 🔝 On my window I can see the public hospital hugh dirty place so thankfull I am on the other side. Colonalism pays always. May the old time rise again Cheer's"

"We welcomed our twins at the Hanoi French Hospital. A few months before the birth, my wife was encouraged to sign a “combo package,” with small promotional freebies used as incentives. When the big day came, a Friday afternoon in mid-December, we went to the hospital feeling confident. The prenatal check-ups had been satisfactory: the facility appeared clean, and the staff were generally professional and friendly. However, once we had to stay beyond the four days included in the package, several issues became apparent. First, billing practices felt aggressive and lacking transparency. Payments for additional days had to be secured in advance, with amounts blocked on our card. The invoice was extremely detailed, even filtered water was charged, and while thorough, the hospital did not proactively inform us that the daily rate after the package would increase significantly. We only discovered this when invoices arrived. For the sake of our twins, we paid the fees, which some days reached up to around $1,000 per day, but the lack of upfront communication felt unprofessional. What concerned me even more was a clinical practice in the NICU. Despite the otherwise caring attitude of the nurses, newborns were bathed daily. One of our sons developed red marks over his body. The NICU head reassured us this was normal and would disappear, but after researching and consulting others, we learned that daily bathing, especially with shampoo, is generally not recommended for premature babies because of their sensitive skin. When I raised this, I was told it was simply common practice rooted in local culture. This was surprising given the hospital’s positioning as an international facility. I was also uneasy seeing IV lines secured with tape while visibly leaking (photos attached). For a neonatal environment, this did not meet the level of hygiene and precision I expected. On our last day, we even noticed ants on the meal tray, reinforcing the impression that appearances may not always match internal standards. The hospital’s marketing team approached us for interviews and photos to use in promotional material, offering free pediatric consultations in return. We declined, as we were uncomfortable with our newborns being used for marketing purposes, especially given our mixed experience. The hospital is owned by Navis Capital Partners, and at times it felt as though marketing priorities outweighed patient experience. In summary, while the hospital offers many qualities of a high-end private facility, there are areas, particularly transparency, clinical consistency, and hygiene, where improvements would be welcome. Since then, we have chosen Vietnamese public hospitals and have been very satisfied. The staff are equally skilled and kind, and the environment feels more focused on healthcare than on hospitality or commercial presentation."