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A 65-year-old Australian woman died in Ho Chi Minh City on September 22 after complications from breast implants and a tummy tuck. Vietnam's Health Department ordered a review of City International Hospital and urged cosmetic facilities to conduct thorough pre-operative risk assessments.
A 65-year-old Australian woman has died in Vietnam from complications following cosmetic surgery that included breast implants and a tummy tuck, according to Vietnamese media reports.
She reportedly attended City International Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City on September 4 for a breast lift and implants, and was discharged the following day. VN Express said the woman, who had serious risk factors such as obesity and sleep apnoea, returned four days later for liposuction and a tummy tuck. Soon after those final procedures, she developed shortness of breath, increasing levels of pain and abdominal swelling.
Woman dies after emergency surgery
Vietnam.vn reported that doctors discovered she had a perforated colon and inflammation of the abdominal cavity. When emergency surgery failed to improve her condition, she was moved to intensive care at Gia Dinh People's Hospital, where she died on September 22. While the woman's backstory is unclear, Vietnam is a popular destination for medical tourism and draws about 300,000 international visitors each year, according to government figures published in state media.
Tuoi Tre News said the one-party, Communist state was drafting a plan to encourage about 750,000 medical tourists by 2030. The fact that the often-secretive state apparatus disseminated details of the Australian woman's case via its media channels suggested it was taking the matter seriously. Vietnam's Health Department directed City International Hospital to set up a review into the incident, and reminded all the nation's cosmetic surgeons and facilities to conduct thorough pre-operative risk assessments, according to VN Express.
In late 2025, Perth woman Chloe Mowday nearly died in Vietnam from complications following cosmetic procedures on her nose and eyelids. Her case drew attention to the risks Australians face when travelling abroad for cheaper procedures. Previous studies estimated about 15,000 Australians go overseas for cosmetic surgery each year, but the figures may be far higher because it is impossible to track all self-funded travel and procedures.
Scrutiny of Vietnam medical tourism safety
The death has renewed scrutiny of Vietnam's fast-growing medical tourism industry and the safety checks performed before surgery. The reports said the woman's age and underlying health conditions, including obesity and sleep apnoea, were significant risk factors for the procedures she underwent. Doctors at the hospitals involved have not publicly commented beyond the details carried in state and independent Vietnamese media. Vietnam's Health Department has not announced any penalties, saying the review will establish what happened at City International Hospital.
The incident has been widely covered in Vietnam, where medical tourism is promoted as a growing source of foreign revenue. It has also drawn renewed attention to the safety checks performed before surgery in a country that markets itself as an affordable destination for cosmetic procedures. The case echoes earlier warnings about the risks of travelling abroad for cheaper operations, particularly for older patients or those with existing health problems.
The Health Department's directive applies to all cosmetic surgeons and facilities nationwide, not only City International Hospital.
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theage:Australian woman dies in Vietnam after cosmetic surgery: reports 
brisbanetimes:Australian woman dies in Vietnam after cosmetic surgery: reportsThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Australian Medical Tourism City International Hospital Perforated Colon Surgery Vietnam Medical Tourism Cosmetic Surgery Death Australian Woman Vietnam Pre-Operative Risk Assessments
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