University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City

The University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City (Bệnh viện Đại học Y Dược TPHCM) is a prominent hospital
affiliated with the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, located in District 5, Saigon.

New! See my review of University Hospital Ho Chi Minh City

Contact Information

Branch 1

• Address: 215 Hong Bang Street, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• Telephone: (+84 28) 3855 4269
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.bvdaihoc.com.vn

Branch 2

• Address: 201 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Ward 12, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• Telephone: (+84 28) 3955 5548

Additional Information

• Operating Hours (Branch 1, Outpatient Services):
  • Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM–11:30 AM, 1:00 PM–4:30 PM
  • Saturday: 7:00 AM–11:30 AM
  • Inpatient Services: 24/7
• Services: Offers specialties including general medicine, surgery, obstetrics, and more.
• Languages: Staff speak English and Vietnamese.
  • Update: I received an email that my initial query had been forwarded to the correct department but nothing since then.
  • Update: I visited. I was told that there would be a wait for the MRI and the cost was the same as the one I had planned in Careplus, so I didn’t bother. I still want to see the doctor so I was told to download the app. I did so when I was back in Cambodia and realised it needs a Vietnamese sim. I managed to get one from a friend, and used a translation app to book an appointment, but although the cost is only five dollars, it won’t accept any of my credit cards, and so I am back to square one with this place. 

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I have this other link below, but I’m not certain it’s linked to the above.

bvdaihoccoso3.com.vn

Not sure about https://saigonhospital.com, the website is unfinished and I can’t remember were I got the link.

https://careplusvn.com/en/ – this is a possibility I’m looking into.

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Information on Visiting Saigon

General information about Saigon

The main plan at the moment is to go for a few days and stay in district five, trying the government hospital and Hoan My as the recommended private. The goal is to get at least an MRI and some advice on type of implant suitable (and total or resurfaced). Best case scenario is finding someone I like and trust and making a definite arrangement with the accomodation situation sorted also. However, I’ve been to Vietnam quite a few times and I’ll be frank, I don’t hold out high hopes. Years ago I went to Cho Ray to get a quote for an MRI and I got as far as standing in the middle of a chaotic room full of half treated people covered in bloody bandages, speaking to someone in a white coat while he treated a patient who had no idea how much an MRI would cost nor how I woud go about getting one.

But I have to try at least as it will be cheaper if I can pull it off. I will try and at least walk into these two places and see if I can get a price and a couple of pictures. If that does or doesn’t work, I’ll get a quote from Phnom Pehn. Next option, try a fixer, and last resort, email the cheapest hospital I ever heard of in New Delhi and pray for the best!

ATM’s

Most fees seem to be below two dollars. Recommended fee free machines are VP and TP.

I never actually used the atm. I used a couple of the private money changers on DeTham but it ended up being a MUCH MUCH better rate around the corner at the place shown in the picture, it’s a small EXIM bank currency exchange booth, and the notes don’t have to be perfect. It’s next to the Liberty hotel near highlands on Phoung Pham Ngu.

Sim cards

I only need a couple of taxis a day. On previous visits I never connected to data very well and the sims were a waste of money.  A basic card should be about 50-60k and data 70-200k per month. Theres a place near 7-11 at 185 Pham Ngu Lao St which charges 130k per month. The official site of the operator is vieteltelecom.vn.

Update: never bothered. There was wifi all the places I went. However, one inportant thing I found out is that many people and businesses use an app called Zallo to make calls and send messages (telegram is banned). If you’re going to be trying to message people or call it’s worth downloading this as most people won’t have the western apps.

Taxis

Mah Lihn or Vinasun for meters, which overall would be cheaper than Grab. Avoid any car with tinted windows.

I ended up using grab a lot. They are totally unreliable and have surge pricing, which will leave you stranded in the wet each time it rains.

I ended up downloading an app called Xanh FM. They have aquamarine coloured eco taxis and I paid cash in them. They were cheaper than Grab and I could pay cash. You definitely need a back up to Grab for the times they let you down.

Shopping

The only tip I had is that Familymart are pretty convenient for food. !00% avoid circleK as they have deceptive pricing and change the amount shown before billing your credit card (which they take from you).

Hanging Out

There seems to only be posh malls in that area, like Hai Lua food court, Andong Mall and Hung Vuong Plaza.

Cheap Hotels near University Hospital District Five Saigon

Thuong Hai

+84 28 3854 8038

93 D Ngo Quyen Phuong 11 District 5

So I did end up staying here. Within walking distance of the University Hospital and there is a Family Mart convenience store on the way. The walkin price is cheaper than booking.com. The walls were thin and other guests woke me, but other than that it was generally OK.

Hanh Long 2 Hotel

1115 Đ. Trần Hưng Đạo, Phường 5, Quận 5, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

+84 28 3838 0806

Hotel Ngôi Sao Nhỏ 3

101 Đường Số 8, Khu dân cư Trung Sơn, Bình Chánh, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

+84 28 3620 2727

There are many seemingly suitable hotels in district seven and they are mentioned by patents using them.

Khách Sạn Hoàng Phúc 2

62 Đ. số 7, Khu dân cư Trung Sơn, Bình Chánh, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam

+84 967 275 169 (Zalo)

This place is listed as 11usd on booking sites, but in the comments/reviews someone mentions  160k. They are responsive to comments, speak English and someone mentions recovering from medical procedures in this hotel.

Kim’s Hotel

160 Đ. D1, Khu đô thị Him Lam, Quận 7, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam

+84 528 996 789

This place is listed as around 12 usd and the board in the photos shows 250k. There seem to be balcony rooms. Also, in the picture there seems to be an elevator. It’s opposite a park. Definitely an interesting option.

Ngan Ha Hotel

+84 28 28539936

406 Tran Phu Phoung 7 District 5

Vung Tao Option: Jupiter +84 2543855898

YenMinh Resthouse, (short and long stay). 21/25b Van kiet St, Ward 1. Binh thanh District. ?concierge. 0945813030/0932127830 –  Listed as 18usd for a daily rate, presumably cheaper long stay. I don’t see a chair, and the rooms are small. District 3 near the airport.

58/28 Nguyen Bihn Khiem D1 – 8 million a month. Zalo 0898993198 – Can’t remember where I found this contact.

This place was opposite where I stayed on the second trip. They were full when I asked but the pictures looked to have a suitable chair and map reviews mentioned they were cheap, and so are potentially suitable and I will check them out soon.

Employment pages in Vietnam (to find carers)

The employment sites rarely have an English version, and when they do they are very hard to follow. I think social media will be the best routue to fine an employee

https://careerviet.vn/jobs/carer-k-en.html – hard to follow

https://www.facebook.com/groups/saigonexpatsandlocals Ads allowed on Monday

Facebook groups to find a carer in Vietnam

[Note: direct links here might not work for facebook unless already a member. If that’s the case, note the group name and search for it under the ‘groups’ tab.]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HCMCexpatscommunity

https://www.facebook.com/groups/vietnamexpatsandlocals

Facebook groups for accomodation in Vietnam

https://www.facebook.com/groups/housinginsgn

https://www.facebook.com/groups/vietnamexpatsandlocals

https://www.facebook.com/groups/expatsHCMC

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HCMCexpatscommunity

https://www.facebook.com/groups/saigonhousing

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1485739351670930