Australian woman dies in Vietnam after cosmetic surgery: reports

Singapore: An Australian woman has died in Vietnam from complications following cosmetic surgery including breast implants and a tummy tuck, according to Vietnamese media.

The 65-year-old 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.

Citing a hospital report, news organisation 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.

But soon after the final procedures, she developed shortness of breath, increasing levels of pain and abdominal swelling.

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.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been contacted for comment.

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 the 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.

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.

Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what’s making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.