MRI scan (3T)

Why MRI is the most common reason Canadians look abroad

The Canadian public system rations MRI capacity hard. CIHI’s 2025 wait-time report shows median MRI waits of 67 days nationally — but only for patients flagged “semi-urgent.” Routine scans (chronic knee pain, intermittent headaches, follow-up imaging on a known condition) routinely wait 9-18 months in Alberta, BC, and Ontario.

Private Canadian MRI clinics charge $700–$1,500 CAD per study. The same imaging on the same generation of scanner in a JCI-accredited Vietnamese hospital costs $350–$600 CAD.

What’s included in our quote

• The scan itself (current-generation 3T scanner)
• Contrast if clinically indicated
• Radiologist report in English on hospital letterhead
• DICOM files for your home physician
• One follow-up question via email if your Canadian doctor needs clarification

What’s not included

• Your flight (we book it; you pay direct)
• Hotel near the hospital (we book it; you pay direct)
• Local transport (we arrange airport pickup; included)

Typical trip shape

Day 1: arrive HCMC or Hanoi · Day 2: morning consult + scan · Day 3: report ready, fly home or stay to combine with another procedure.

Total trip: 4-5 days assuming straightforward case.

FAQ

• Can I bring my Canadian referral?

  Yes — most Vietnamese hospitals will accept a Canadian referral document directly. We help translate the request order into the local clinic's intake format.

• Will my Canadian doctor accept the report?

  Reports come on letterhead from a JCI-accredited facility, in English, with raw DICOM files on a USB stick or via secure download. Canadian radiologists routinely accept these for follow-up review.

• Is contrast safe?

  Same gadolinium-based agents used in Canada. The radiology team reviews kidney function (eGFR) before contrast, just like at home.