Screening technology has come a long way, and there are now several ways to look inside the colon. But optical colonoscopy remains the method against which all others are measured. The reason is simple: it is the only screening that can both find and fix the problem in a single session. If the Gastroenterologist sees a polyp during the procedure, it can be removed on the spot and sent for analysis, potentially eliminating a future cancer before it ever develops.
At FV Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, the procedure is performed by experienced Gastroenterologists using modern endoscopy equipment, under comfortable sedation, with pre-anaesthesia safety tests included in the price. The cost is a fraction of what the same procedure runs at private hospitals in Singapore, Australia, or the UK. Sondax handles scheduling, preparation guidance, and English-language support.
Doctors recommend that men and women with an average risk of colon cancer start screening around age 45. You should consider screening earlier if any of the following apply:
The American Cancer Society recommends colonoscopy every 10 years for average-risk adults. If polyps are found and removed, your Gastroenterologist will recommend a shorter interval, typically 3 to 5 years, depending on the type and number of polyps.
FV Hospital offers both options. Here is how they compare:
| Optical Colonoscopy (this programme) | Virtual Colonoscopy (CT Colonography) | |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Flexible camera inside the colon | CT scanner from outside the body |
| Sedation | Yes, comfortable sedation throughout | No sedation required |
| Can remove polyps | Yes, during the same session | No, follow-up optical colonoscopy needed |
| Bowel preparation | A few days of dietary changes | 3 days of bowel preparation |
| Recovery | 30 to 60 minutes, no driving for 24 hours | No recovery time, drive home immediately |
| Repeat interval | Every 10 years (if clear) | Every 5 years (if clear) |
| Price at FV Hospital | From USD 317 | From USD 266 |
| Includes consultation | Yes, Gastroenterologist before and after | No, results at Imaging Department |
Bottom line: if you want a one-and-done approach where polyps can be found and removed in the same visit, and you are comfortable with sedation, optical colonoscopy is the stronger choice. If you prefer no sedation and no scope as a first screening step, virtual colonoscopy is a valid non-invasive alternative, with the understanding that any polyp found will still require a follow-up optical colonoscopy.
Not sure which fits your situation? Contact Sondax and we will help you choose based on your risk profile and preferences.
Before: A few days ahead of your appointment, switch to fibre-free foods and avoid dark-coloured foods and liquids (beets, grape juice, red wine) that could be mistaken for blood during the exam. If you take blood thinners, aspirin, or iron supplements, your doctor will advise you to stop 7 days before the procedure. On the day, you arrive at FV Hospital, provide blood samples for the pre-anaesthesia safety tests (CBC, PT, APTT), and meet the anaesthesia team.
During: You are sedated comfortably. The Gastroenterologist gently guides a flexible scope with a camera through the colon, examining the entire lining on a high-definition screen. The procedure takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes. If a polyp is spotted, the doctor can remove it immediately using instruments passed through the scope. Polyp removal and biopsy are charged separately.
After: You rest in a recovery room for 30 to 60 minutes as the sedation clears. Most patients feel slightly groggy but otherwise fine. Your Gastroenterologist then sits down with you, shows you what was found (or confirms that everything looked healthy), and explains any recommended follow-up. You will need someone to take you home, and you should not drive or make important decisions for the rest of the day. By the next morning, you are back to normal.
The package fee covers the colonoscopy procedure itself, sedation, pre-anaesthesia blood tests (CBC, PT, APTT), anaesthesia consultation, and your Gastroenterologist consultation. If polyps are discovered and removed during the procedure, or if tissue samples are taken for biopsy, those costs are charged separately by FV Hospital. Sondax can provide a cost estimate for polyp removal in advance if you would like to budget for that possibility.
All prices are per person and subject to change without prior notice. Results are provided at the Gastro-Enterology Department. Polyp removal and biopsy are not included in the programme fee. Do not drive or make important decisions for 24 hours after sedation.
FV Hospital was established in Ho Chi Minh City in 2003 and is a member of Thomson Medical, one of Southeast Asia's leading healthcare groups. FV was the first hospital in southern Vietnam to earn the JCI Gold Seal in 2016, and has renewed its JCI accreditation four consecutive times with over 98 percent compliance across more than 1,200 international patient safety and quality criteria.
With 45+ specialties, 210+ Vietnamese and international doctors, and care for more than 6 million patients since 2003, FV blends French and Vietnamese medical expertise and provides English- and French-speaking staff for international patients.
