“I’d Been Putting It Off for Years Because of the Cost”
James, 42, a project manager from London, had wanted veneers for nearly a decade. The price in the UK — quotes ranging from £1,200 to £1,800 per tooth — had kept it firmly in the “someday” category.
Then a colleague mentioned dental tourism in Vietnam.
Note: Name and identifying details have been changed to protect patient privacy. Clinical details reflect a representative case.
The Research Phase
“I spent about three months looking into it. I was skeptical at first — the prices seemed too good to be true. You hear the obvious concerns: different standards, materials that aren’t the same quality, no recourse if something goes wrong.”
James’s research led him to Vinmec Picasso for specific reasons:
“Most clinics I found were private practices. Vinmec is different — it’s part of a hospital group. That meant something to me. There’s accountability. There’s institutional backing. It’s not going to disappear.”
He requested a remote consultation, sending photos and his most recent dental X-rays.
“They came back with a specific treatment plan within two days. Not a generic price list — an actual plan for my teeth specifically, with photos annotated to show which teeth they were recommending veneers for and why. That level of detail gave me confidence.”
The Treatment Plan
After reviewing James’s photographs and X-rays, the clinical team recommended:
- 10 Emax porcelain veneers (upper 8 teeth + 2 lower visible teeth)
- Pre-treatment: professional cleaning and polishing
- Timeline: preparation day, 7-day lab fabrication, fitting day — total 6 days in Da Nang
Cost at Vinmec Picasso: approximately £3,600 (10 Emax veneers + consultation + cleaning)
Equivalent quote in London: £14,000–18,000
Da Nang: Day by Day
Day 1 — Arrival and Consultation
James arrived from London via Singapore. A short taxi from Da Nang Airport to his hotel at My Khe Beach — 15 minutes.
The first appointment: a full clinical examination, updated X-rays, and a detailed discussion of shade, shape, and what he wanted the result to look like.
“They showed me a Digital Smile Design on screen — a simulation of what my teeth would look like. I could request adjustments before anything was touched. That was reassuring.”
Day 2 — Preparation
Tooth preparation under local anesthetic (James chose not to opt for sedation).
“The preparation itself was fine. You feel pressure but not pain. They checked multiple times that I was comfortable. The temporary veneers they fitted at the end of the day looked good — better than I expected for temporaries.”
The permanent veneers were sent to the in-house lab for fabrication.
Days 3–5 — Da Nang
James spent three days doing what Da Nang does well:
- Mornings at My Khe Beach (rated one of Asia’s best)
- Day trip to Hoi An Ancient Town (45 minutes by taxi)
- Evening seafood at Han Market — “ridiculously good and cheap”
- A half-day at Ba Na Hills
“I had mild sensitivity in my temporaries — normal apparently. Nothing that stopped me doing anything. The clinic gave me their direct number to call if anything felt wrong.”
Day 6 — Final Fitting
The Emax veneers arrived from the lab. Before cementing, the dentist checked each veneer individually against shade guides, confirmed the fit, and had James verify he was happy with the colour.
“The bonding itself took about 90 minutes for 10 veneers. The difference when they removed the last saliva ejector and I saw my reflection was… I hadn’t expected to be as emotional as I was.”
The Numbers
| UK | Vinmec Picasso Da Nang | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Emax veneers | £14,000–18,000 | ~£3,600 |
| Flights (London–Da Nang return via Singapore) | — | ~£680 |
| 6 nights accommodation (4-star beachside hotel) | — | ~£420 |
| Food, transport, activities | — | ~£200 |
| Total | £14,000–18,000 | ~£4,900 |
| Saving | — | £9,100–13,100 |
Six Months Later
James sent us a follow-up message six months after treatment:
“Everything is holding up perfectly. I had a check-up with my dentist in London — he reviewed the Vinmec records and said the work was excellent. He was surprised by the quality of the Emax and the precision of the fit.
The thing I didn’t expect: how much it changed in day-to-day confidence. Not just smiling in photos — just talking to people without being self-conscious. Worth every penny and then some.”
What He Wishes He’d Known
The temporary sensitivity is real but manageable. “Pack some sensitivity toothpaste. It lasted about a week after the final fitting.”
The temporary veneers matter. “They’re there for a week while your permanents are made. Mine looked fine. Some clinics do better temps than others — ask to see photos.”
Build in a buffer day. “I had a flight booked for Day 7. If the fitting had needed adjustment and they’d wanted to see me the next morning, I would have missed it. Leave a day of flexibility.”
Remote consultation is real. “I was skeptical that a remote consultation via photos would be useful. It gave me a specific treatment plan, specific costs, and specific recommendations before I’d booked a single flight. Do it before you commit to anything.”
Clinical Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Patient age | 42 |
| Treatment | 10 Emax porcelain veneers |
| Shades | Vita A1 (upper 8), matched lower 2 |
| Anesthesia | Local only |
| Lab | Vinmec Picasso in-house lab |
| Stay | 6 days |
| Follow-up | Remote; 6-month in-person check with London dentist |
Considering a smile makeover at Vinmec Picasso? Start with a free remote consultation — send photos and X-rays and we’ll provide a specific treatment plan and cost estimate within 3 business days. No commitment required.