Health Insurance in Vietnam for Americans
Americans moving to Vietnam should secure international health insurance for optimal coverage, especially since Vietnam’s public system is lower quality than U.S. healthcare. Adding U.S. coverage to international plans drastically increases premiums but is worth it for many Americans.
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Are you trying to decide what health insurance you need for your move to Vietnam? Are you wondering if your home insurance will suffice or which providers are the best fit for you?
This article will cover why U.S. citizens moving to Vietnam should prioritize international coverage; outline and compare top international health insurance providers; explain key plan considerations, like medical repatriation; and more.
Can I Use My American Health Insurance Abroad?
Americans moving to Vietnam cannot use their healthcare from the United States abroad unless they have an international health insurance plan. Medicaid, Medicare, ACA marketplace plans, and other U.S. health insurance plans only provide coverage in the United States.
It’s important to note that expats who use Medicaid for their health insurance in the United States may also lose that coverage if they leave the country for more than 30 days, so choosing a plan that covers you in all stages of your move ensures you don’t have any coverage gaps.
Why U.S. Expats Should Purchase International Health Insurance in Vietnam
International health insurance offers U.S. expats comprehensive, bespoke plans that are portable across borders, so you can choose from excellent facilities in Vietnam and worldwide that cater to your unique needs living abroad. Public Vietnam plans may seem appealing, but it includes big drawbacks.
International health insurance providers like Cigna, Allianz, and AXA make it easy for Americans to customize their options to their lifestyle and budget while getting expat-focused benefits, like English-speaking providers or medical evacuation.
Medical evacuation is critical for expats in Vietnam: medical care is low quality or unavailable in some areas of the country. Paying for transportation to adequate facilities is very costly, but medical evacuation comes included in many international insurance core plans.
One of the benefits of international plans is that you can get direct billing, and direct billing is available from international insurers at the best hospitals in Vietnam, including Vinmec International Hospital, FV Hospital HCMC, Family Medical Practice, and Hanoi French Hospital.
The Reality of Vietnam Public Healthcare
Expats who work in Vietnam and hold a temporary residence card must contribute to Vietnam’s Social Health Insurance (SHI) program, which then grants them access to public health facilities at a discounted rate, though there are exclusions.
Covered services under SHI include:
- Hospitalization
- Outpatient care
- Prescription drugs
- Maternity care
- Pathology
- Birth defects
Employees pay 1.5% of their monthly salary for SHI coverage, while employers contribute 3.0%. Expats should note that if they lose their job with their Vietnamese employer, they will also lose their insurance coverage.
Because public healthcare covers at least 93% of Vietnam residents, facilities are often overrun, and standards often fall below U.S. medical standards. Public hospitals and medical centers are extremely crowded, with extensive wait times and sometimes less-than-ideal treatment options.
Large urban areas provide the best public medical care, but even top-tier public institutions do not have English-speaking doctors or other expat-focused services.
The cost of healthcare in Vietnam may seem much more reasonable to American expats who are used to steep prices, but even Vietnamese care adds up quickly without proper insurance.
Key Insurance Considerations for Americans Moving to Vietnam
American expats who are choosing their plan for Vietnam should consider the cost of including United States coverage, USD billing and direct billing, medical repatriation, and tax implications in addition to general considerations such as budget, health history, and add-on benefits.
The Cost of Including United States Coverage
Adding U.S. coverage to an insurance plan is the single biggest driver in your premium. Excluding U.S. coverage is standard for most insurance plans and reduces premiums by about 30–50%. Adding U.S. coverage is costly enough to insurers that they may increase premiums by 50% or more.
According to Pacific Prime’s Cost of International Health Insurance Report, individuals in Vietnam paid an average of USD $4,547 in 2024 for international health insurance, while families paid an average of USD $12,505.
Insurance providers gauge the risk of covering healthcare in each country or region, with coverage in the U.S. being the most expensive. The Cost of International Health Insurance Report showed the average individual cost for U.S. insurance rose 56% from USD $9,817 to USD $15,296 from 2023 to 2024.
American expats moving abroad must decide whether they need and want coverage to return home to or whether the cost increase is worth the adding weight in their budget.
USD Billing and Direct Billing
Choosing a plan that is based in USD billing helps you avoid currency swings in your international insurance. Especially when filing claims, having USD billing helps to ensure you don’t have any financial losses in exchange estimations.
Direct billing drastically simplifies plans and your mental load by covering the cost of care upfront. Without direct billing, expats are often required to pay for the cost of treatment and then receive reimbursement through the claims process.
Top providers like those mentioned below all have direct billing agreements with the best hospitals in Vietnam.
Medical Repatriation
Medical repatriation is sometimes offered in tandem with medical evacuation coverage or may be available through optional add-on coverage. This benefit covers the cost of transporting you back to the U.S. for ongoing or long-term medical care after significant injury, surgery, or illness.
Tax Implications
U.S. expats who are self-employed in Vietnam may qualify for the U.S. Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction, which lowers health insurance premiums. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) has strict guidelines, so consider using the IRS Tax Assistant to verify qualification.
Most international health insurance policies do not comply with High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) regulations. This means that American expats can still use their HSA tax free, but they will not be able to contribute pre-tax money to their HSA account.
We recommend consulting with a tax professional for personalized advice.
The Top Three Health Insurance Providers for Americans Moving to Vietnam
The top three international health insurance providers for American expats in Vietnam are Cigna, Allianz, and AXA. Each offers direct billing, flexible coverage, and medical evacuation and repatriation options.
Below is an estimated price comparison of these providers:
International Health Insurance Price Comparison: Allianz vs. Cigna vs. AXA (USD) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurer | Age 30 (Annual Estimate) | Age 45 (Annual Estimate) | Age 60 (Annual Estimate) |
| Allianz International | $1,500–$2,000 | $2,000–$4,000 | $5,000+ |
| Cigna Global | $1,800–$2,800 | $3,200–$5,500 | $6,500–$9,000 |
| AXA | $1,500–$3,500 | $2,500–$6,000 | $4,500–$12,000+ |
Please remember that including coverage for the United States is extremely expensive. Because of this, excluding U.S. coverage can reduce premiums by roughly 30% to 50%.
Cigna
Cigna has three international health insurance plans for expats in Vietnam—the Silver, Gold, Platinum plans. The annual maximum for each plan is USD $1,000,000 for Silver, USD $2,000,000 for Gold, and unlimited for Platinum. U.S. expats will appreciate Cigna’s USD billing.
U.S. expats praise Cigna’s plans for their excellent inpatient coverage, with all three international plans covering inpatient and daypatient treatment in full for a private room.
Expats in Vietnam can select extra evacuation coverage for their Silver, Gold, or Platinum Cigna plans. This benefit includes coverage for emergency transportation, repatriation to your home country, costs for compassionate visits, and global crisis services.
Allianz
Allianz International’s Care plans are the company’s best option for Americans moving to Vietnam. The Care plan has a max plan limit of USD $2,500,000, while the Care Plus has a max plan limit of USD $ 4,000,000. The Care Pro has a max plan limit of USD $5,000,000.
Some of the benefits included in all Allianz Care plans include:
- Day-care treatment
- Diagnostic tests
- Local ambulance
- Medical evacuation
- Oncology
- Physician and therapist fees
- Post-hospitalisation treatment
- Prescribed drugs and materials
- Private room
- Rehabilitation treatment
- Second medical opinion
- Surgeries
Extra benefits are included in each of the core plans (Care, Care Plus, and Care Pro) but vary by plan.
Allianz’s Repatriation plan is offered as an optional add-on, with the following coverage:
- USD $4,050 for someone accompanying a repatriated person
- USD $2,700 in travel costs for insured family members in the event of a repatriation
- USD $2,025 for travel costs of insured members to be with a family member who may or has died
AXA
AXA offers five international health insurance plans for U.S. expats in Vietnam: Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus. Annual maximums start at USD $400,000 and reach USD $8,000,000.
All AXA international plans cover:
- Ambulance transport
- Cancer care
- CT, PET and MRI scans
- Emergency services
- Evacuation
- Hospital charges and surgery
- Mind health services
- Repatriation
- Second medical opinion
- Virtual doctor services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best health insurance for American expats living abroad?
Cigna, NOW Health, Bupa, Allianz, and AXA offer some of the best international health insurance plans for expats living in Vietnam. International health insurance is preferable for expats, even though it is not mandatory. It offers the most reliable, comprehensive coverage.
Do I have to have health insurance to move to Vietnam?
Health insurance is not mandatory for most American expats moving to Vietnam. It is highly recommended to avoid high out-of-pocket costs and to get access to suitable medical facilities. Expats who work for a Vietnam employer will be enrolled in public healthcare as well.
Does Vietnam have good private healthcare?
Some Vietnam hospitals will not meet standards U.S. citizens are used to. Public facilities are especially overrun. Many private facilities, including international-standard hospitals, like Vinmec, provide excellent care. The best hospitals are often found in urban hubs, like Ho Chi Minh city.
Conclusion
International health insurance offers American expats the reliable, portable coverage in Vietnam and abroad, with the option of U.S. coverage. Since U.S. plans like Medicaid and Medicare are not usable in Vietnam, international coverage is highly recommended.
Are you ready to compare quotes? Use our free, no-obligation quote tool or talk to one of our professional brokers. They can help you get the best deal on a plan, compare top providers, and more.
Suggested Reading:
- Living in Vietnam 2026: Guide for American Expats
- Health Insurance for Seniors and Retirees in Vietnam
- Top 10 Insurance Companies in Vietnam for Expats (2026)
- Vietnam Health Insurance for Expats
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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