Newsweek magazine (US), in collaboration with German data research company Statista, announced its annual ranking of the region's top specialized hospitals on 17/6. For 2026, the ranking features 925 hospitals across 10 specialties in 11 countries and territories, including Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan (China), Thailand, and Vietnam.
The 11 Vietnamese representatives include prominent public hospitals such as Bach Mai, Cho Ray, Viet Duc Friendship, Hue Central, and 19-8 Hospital. Several private facilities also made the list: Viet Phap Hanoi, FV, Hong Ngoc, Thu Cuc, Vinmec Da Nang, and Phuong Dong. The inclusion of both public and private institutions highlights the country's expanding capacity for specialized medical treatment.
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Cho Ray Hospital, one of the 11 hospitals featured in the ranking. Photo: Hospital provided.
According to Newsweek, the global specialized healthcare landscape for 2026 is rapidly evolving, driven by technological advancements, clinical breakthroughs, and demographic shifts, particularly an aging population. Across Asia-Pacific, many hospitals are enhancing their capabilities in fields ranging from cardiology and oncology to pediatrics, establishing new benchmarks for specialized care.
This year also marks two significant changes in the ranking: the addition of gastroenterology as a specialty and the expansion of the evaluation scope to include Vietnam. This reflects the rapid development of the country's healthcare infrastructure and treatment capabilities.
The ranking methodology, according to the organizers, does not solely rely on hospital size or brand recognition. Instead, it focuses on actual specialized competence. Scores are derived from three criteria: professional reputation based on peer evaluations (83.5%), quality certifications and accreditations (10%), and the extent of PROMs (Patient-Reported Outcome Measures) implementation, which reflects treatment outcomes based on patient reports (6.5%).
During the survey period from 2/2026 to 3/2026, thousands of doctors, hospital managers, and medical experts across the region were invited to participate in online evaluations. This data was then combined with accreditation data and patient treatment feedback to score the medical facilities.
Vietnam's inaugural inclusion in this prestigious ranking signifies that the country's specialized treatment capabilities and service quality are progressively narrowing the gap with leading medical centers in the region.
Le Phuong
