A retired American couple married for 51 years describes how they access affordable healthcare across Southeast Asia while slow-traveling in full retirement. In Da Nang, Vietnam, they paid about $150 for dental replacement teeth, $8 for a joint teeth cleaning, and roughly $11 per cavity filling at a modern, English-speaking clinic. They contrast these costs with a $60,000 U.S. back surgery bill paid by Medicare and a three-week Japanese hospital stay for a knee replacement that cost under $300. The couple also completed a comprehensive over-60 health screening in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for $280 per person, including same-day results and a doctor consultation. They have Medicare, travel insurance, and pay out-of-pocket for inexpensive procedures. Living costs in Da Nang range from $1,000 to $2,000 per month, and they find the city uniquely easy for making friends through expat groups and English clubs. They advise potential expats to visit for at least six weeks before relocating, to avoid the honeymoon phase, and to maintain a flexible attitude toward cultural differences.
Key Facts
- Dental cleaning for two people in Da Nang: $8 total.
- Dental replacement teeth in Da Nang: $150.
- Over-60 health screening in Kuala Lumpur: $280 per person.
- Knee replacement in Japan: under $300, 3-week hospital stay.
- Monthly cost of living in Da Nang: $1,000–$2,000.
