How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Vietnam?

The average cost of an individual international health insurance plan in Vietnam was USD $4,547 (around VND 119,449,690) in 2024. Expat workers in Vietnam may qualify for a public health insurance plan that covers basic healthcare services. 

Are you a foreigner planning to live abroad in Vietnam? You’ll want to know the average health insurance premium costs for the country. The insurance experts at Pacific Prime have created this guide to help you understand what you can expect to pay for health insurance in Vietnam. 

We will discuss the average health insurance costs in Vietnam, explain factors that affect insurance premiums in the country, and more. Keep reading to learn more, or click here for a free health insurance quote!

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Health Insurance Costs in Vietnam for Expats

The cost of health insurance in Vietnam changes depending on whether you have a private or public health insurance plan. Each of these health insurance options has different eligibility criteria, coverage levels, and expenses. 

Public Health Insurance Costs in Vietnam

Expats enrolled in Vietnam’s public health insurance scheme, Social Insurance, can expect to pay around 8% of their monthly salary for their coverage. Their employer will pay a contribution of 17.5% of the monthly salary, making the total contribution toward the scheme 25.5%. 

Expats with a working permit in Vietnam can qualify for the Social Insurance if they meet the following criteria: 

• Have a labor contract that lasts at least 12 months in Vietnam
• Are not an internal transferee within the company
• Are not at or beyond the retirement age

Private Health Insurance Costs in Vietnam

An individual international health insurance plan in Vietnam was USD $4,547 (around VND 119,449,690) on average in 2024, with a family plan costing USD $12,505 (around VND 328,506,350). Health insurance costs for the country will vary depending on the provider and plan. 

The cost of private health insurance plans varies across insurance companies. Private health insurance plans from local providers may be less expensive than international health insurance providers, but they offer less geographical coverage and may only cover terms of one year or longer. 

Private health insurance rates can rise or fall annually. There was a 1% increase in individual premiums from 2023 to 2024, with family premiums from 2023 to 2024 showing an 8% increase. 

Comparing Vietnam Health Insurance Costs to Other Asian Countries

Vietnam is one of the cheapest Asian countries to buy private health insurance in, as it ranks only above Pakistan in cost. The table below illustrates the cost of private health insurance in Indonesia compared to other Asian countries. 

Vietnam follows a similar trend for family international health insurance policies, with only Pakistan ranking less expensive than them. We have compared average costs of family health insurance premiums across Asia in the table below.

These average costs are proprietary data collected by Pacific Prime through their experience with helping expats find health insurance solutions that work for them.

Factors That Affect Health Insurance Costs in Vietnam

Age, health history, the coverage level of your plan, and your deductible are all factors that affect health insurance costs in Vietnam. Public health insurance and private health insurance will have different factors that affect their costs for expats. 

• Your Age: Your age will affect your insurance premium due to insurance providers charging more for older individuals. This is due to the higher financial risk associated with insuring older individuals. 
• The Number of Your Dependents: The number of dependents in your household (if you have them) will directly affect your insurance premium by increasing it per dependent. 
• The Coverage Level of Your Plan: Plans with high levels of coverage and high annual maximum limits will always cost more than basic plans that only offer emergency coverage. This includes plans with specialized coverage like outpatient, vision, and dental. 
• Your Deductible: Whether you choose a low, medium, or high deductible will directly affect your premium. The deductible is the amount the policyholder pays before the insurance company begins to pay. High-deductible plans cost less than low-deductible plans.
• Your Health History: Your health history, including any pre-existing conditions, will affect your health insurance premiums. Some insurance providers won’t cover your pre-existing condition, or if they do, they will at a higher premium. 
• Your Income: For public health insurance, your monthly contributions will depend on your income. Employed expats will have their monthly contributions taken out of their paychecks, while self-employed expats will have to pay based on their income. 

To learn more about the factors that affect the cost of health insurance, download our guide, The Cost of International Health Insurance Report 2024.

How to Reduce Private Health Insurance Costs in Vietnam

Comparing providers, customizing your coverage, and choosing a high-deductible plan are all steps you can take to help keep your premiums low in Vietnam. We will share more details about these tips below. 

1. Compare a Variety of Plans from Different Providers

Compare a variety of plans from different private health insurance providers before you choose a plan. You may find a plan that has higher coverage for a better price than one from a different health insurance provider. You can use free quote tools to help compare plans more efficiently. 

When comparing separate plans, make sure you analyze the geographical coverage, annual limits, benefits covered, and exclusions. Take your time with this step so you don’t miss any key points. Comparing plans can help you find the most affordable solution for your health insurance needs. 

2. Customize Your Health Insurance Coverage

Don’t pay for coverage you don’t need, and customize your coverage in your health insurance plan. Are you unsure if you’ll need vision coverage? Don’t choose a plan with vision riders. If you don’t think you’ll need outpatient coverage, choose inpatient-coverage-only plans. 

3. Choose a High-Deductible Health Insurance Plan

Choosing a high-deductible plan can lower your annual or monthly premium. With a high-deductible plan, the insurance company will pay less upfront and shift more of the financial risk to the policyholder. This can help keep your health insurance premiums more affordable. 

This option is a great choice for expats in Vietnam who are healthy with no chronic conditions and who can afford upfront costs. 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

How expensive is private health insurance in Vietnam per month?

The monthly cost for an individual international health insurance plan in Vietnam was USD $379 (around VND 9,954,141) on average in 2024. The monthly cost for a family plan was around USD $1,042 (around VND 27,373,340) for the same year. 

Can expats purchase health insurance in Vietnam?

Expats can purchase private health insurance in Vietnam from local or international providers. Local health insurance providers may offer lower premiums, but they also may have limited networks and global portability. International health insurance plans do not have these same limitations. 

How can expats qualify for Social Insurance in Vietnam? 

Expats can qualify for Social Insurance in Vietnam if they have a valid work permit, have a labor contract that is at least 12 months, are not an internal transferee within the company, and are not of retirement age. 

Is medical care expensive for expats in Vietnam? 

Medical care is less expensive in Vietnam than in Asian countries like Japan, South Korea, or China. Medical care is also significantly less expensive in Vietnam than in Western countries like the United States. To help reduce medical care costs, expats can purchase private health insurance. 

What is the best health insurance for foreigners in Vietnam? 

The best health insurance for foreigners in Vietnam can be found through top providers like Cigna, Allianz, and AXA. The best health insurance plan for expats is an international plan that fits their budget and healthcare needs. 

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Conclusion: 

In 2024, expats in Vietnam paid on average USD $4,547 (around VND 119,449,690) for an individual international health insurance policy. The cost of health insurance in Vietnam for expats will always depend on factors like the provider, the plan, and whether it’s public or private insurance. 

Are you ready to begin shopping for your private health insurance plan for Vietnam? Contact the insurance experts at Pacific Prime. We partner with a diverse range of top international health insurance providers in Vietnam and other Asian countries, and across the globe. 

We are brokers with over 20 years of experience in providing insurance solutions to expats and digital nomads worldwide. We can help you understand insurance quotes and plans and offer our unbiased advice. If you’d like to compare plans on your own, feel free to use our free quote generator. 

If you’d like to read more helpful guides on health insurance costs for expats, check out our articles below: 

• How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Indonesia?
• How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Thailand?

• Author
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Serena Fung

Head of Content at Pacific Prime

Serena Fung is the Head of Content at Pacific Prime, a global insurance brokerage and employee specialist serving over 1.5 million clients in 15 offices across the world. With 6+ years of experience writing about the subject, she aims to demystify the world of insurance for readers with the latest updates, guides and articles on the blog.

Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).

Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.

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