<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2013-10-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001045829</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>VANGUARD HEALTH SYSTEMS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>VHS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001091618</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HUSAIN FAZLE M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O METALMARK CAPITAL LLC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1177 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10036</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks>On October 1, 2013, the previously-announced merger (the &quot;Merger&quot;) of Vanguard Health Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the &quot;Company&quot;), with Orange Merger Sub, Inc. (&quot;Merger Sub&quot;), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tenet Healthcare Corporation (&quot;Parent&quot;), pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 24, 2013 (the &quot;Merger Agreement&quot;), by and among Parent, Merger Sub and the Company, became effective.  The director named herein did not beneficially own securities of the Company prior to or after the effective time of the Merger.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Gary D. Willis, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2013-10-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
