Many Vietnamese living in Europe, the U.S., or Australia are shocked by the long waiting times for medical appointments and treatments—delays that would only take a few hours or days back home.
Six Months for a Consultation, 18 Months for Surgery
Phuong Mai, a 49-year-old Vietnamese woman living in Brussels since 2005, was stunned when doctors told her she would have to wait six months for an ovarian cyst consultation and up to 18 months for surgery. In Vietnam, she said, “this procedure would take just one morning.”
Doctors explained that her cyst was benign and not life-threatening, meaning she could safely wait. But the experience exposed Mai to one of the biggest cultural shocks many Vietnamese face when navigating Western healthcare: strict procedures and long waiting times.
The Hidden Costs of Faster Care
In Belgium, like many European countries, all medical appointments must be scheduled in advance, from routine checkups to surgeries. Urgent cases are handled immediately, but non-emergencies are pushed months or even years down the line.
If patients want quicker service, they must pay extra—sometimes double. A family doctor’s visit costs around $30, but a private or after-hours consultation may exceed $60 and is often not covered by insurance.
A Common Struggle for Immigrants
Mai’s case is not unique. A 2023 BioMed Central report revealed that 70% of immigrants in Europe encounter obstacles accessing healthcare, particularly those of Asian origin. An Oxford University study (2025) found 22% of migrants faced at least one barrier to medical services.
Similar frustrations exist in the U.S. A joint report by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Los Angeles Times showed 84% of immigrants, including Vietnamese-Americans, were surprised or dissatisfied with the complexity and cost of care.
According to the CDC, around 7% of Vietnamese-Americans lack health insurance, making treatment more expensive. Meanwhile, NIH data indicates only 2.8% of Vietnamese-Americans report unmet medical needs—the lowest among Asian groups, but challenges remain.
Why Vietnamese Patients Struggle Abroad
Dr. Huynh Wynn Tran, founder of Wynn Medical Center Clinics in California, explained that the biggest barrier isn’t medical expertise, but cultural differences.
“In the U.S., everything goes through the primary care physician, who acts as the ‘gatekeeper’ to specialists,” he said. “In Vietnam, patients are used to walking directly into a hospital or clinic and seeing a doctor the same day.”
This gatekeeping system, combined with complex insurance terms such as deductibles and prior authorization, often leaves newcomers confused and frustrated.
Lessons From Australia
For Tuyet Nhung, a 27-year-old Vietnamese student in Australia with a physical disability, the adjustment was also difficult. Despite strong English skills, she struggled to navigate phone bookings and medical hotlines. At times, she had to wait more than three weeks for an appointment.
Only after discovering a mobile app, HotDoc, did she feel more comfortable. “The system is slower, but doctors take more time to listen, explain, and give thorough instructions,” she said.
How Vietnamese Can Adapt to Western Healthcare
Experts recommend Vietnamese migrants take these steps to avoid frustration:
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Research insurance plans carefully and understand what is covered.
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Identify in-network doctors and learn online booking systems.
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Translate medical records into English to avoid duplicate tests.
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Learn basic medical vocabulary to describe symptoms clearly.
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Understand the role of family doctors as coordinators, not just physicians.
“Be mentally prepared that healthcare abroad is slower but more systematic and safer,” Dr. Tran advised. “That mindset will make the transition much easier.”
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Source: Vietnam Insider