Health Insurance for Seniors and Retirees in Vietnam
Cigna, Allianz, Bupa, NOW Health, and AXA are five of the best international health insurance providers for seniors and retirees moving to Vietnam. All of these providers accept new applications for individuals over 60 and offer flexible premiums for varying lifestyles and budgets.
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Are you hoping to retire in Vietnam? Are you looking for insurance providers who understand the needs of older individuals living abroad?
In this article, we’ll go over the top five providers for older expats in Vietnam, comparing age limits, estimated prices, and more. We’ll also explain your options for pre-existing conditions coverage and visas for Vietnam as well as list the best hospitals catering to the needs of seniors.
What You Need to Know About Health Insurance as a Senior Expat
Finding comprehensive, portable insurance that covers pre-existing conditions is essential for the unique health needs of older expats. Insurance premiums rise drastically as you age, and some companies require waiting periods, exclusions, or moratoriums before they’ll even cover certain conditions.
Older individuals are often managing at least one health condition. Because seniors are more likely to have conditions that need consistent assessment or treatment, it is much riskier for insurance companies to cover them. In turn, premiums often rise dramatically as individuals age.
Here are some key aspects to consider when choosing insurance that meets the unique needs of senior expats.
- Guaranteed Lifetime Renewal: Insurance companies used to commonly cancel coverage for older adults to avoid the financial risk, but more providers now offer guaranteed renewability. This means that once you have begun a plan, providers cannot cancel the plan simply because of your health.
- Pre-existing Conditions Coverage: Pre-existing conditions are those that you have before beginning an insurance plan. Many providers exclude coverage or require a waiting period or moratorium (being symptom- and treatment-free for a set period before receiving coverage).
- Dental and Vision Coverage: Most international insurance plans come with add-on options for dental and vision coverage. Some premium plans even have these benefits as part of the core plan. Both dental and vision needs increase with age, so opting for this coverage is wise for older expats.
- Medical Evacuation and Repatriation: Vietnam health standards vary widely depending on region. Medication evacuation covers the cost to transport you to an adequate facility for treatment or even back home, when necessary. This benefit is essential for Vietnam.
The best thing senior individuals can do is get insured as soon as possible, preferably before they retire. Taking out international health insurance sooner helps you avoid pre-existing conditions exclusions, and the cost of coverage is significantly lower.
Top International Health Insurance for Expats Seniors in Vietnam
Five of the best international health insurers for senior expats in Vietnam are Allianz, AXA, Bupa, Cigna, and NOW Health. Each of these providers allow for new senior applicants and offer benefits, like medical evacuation, that are essential for expats in Vietnam.
Let’s compare these providers below:
International Health Insurance for Senior Expats Comparison |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allianz | AXA | Bupa | Cigna | NOW Health | |
| New applicant age limit | Under 75 | Under 80 | Under 75 | None | Under 80 |
| Guaranteed lifetime renewal | Available, depending on starting enrollment age | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-existing conditions coverage | Available, subject to underwriting | Generally not available but subject to underwriting | Generally not available but subject to underwriting | Available, subject to underwriting | Available, subject to underwriting |
| Medical evacuation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dental and vision | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Allianz International Insurance for Expat Seniors in Vietnam
Allianz’s Care, Care Plus, and Care Pro plans are best for senior or retiree expats in Vietnam. Medical evacuation is standard in all Allianz Care plans, but you may select additional coverage through their Repatriation plan. Their Smile and Smile Plus add-on plans also give options for dental.
AXA International Insurance for Expat Seniors in Vietnam
AXA’s international plans—Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus—offer top-notch coverage for seniors moving to Vietnam. Retirees enjoy emergency cover, medical evacuation and repatriation, virtual doctor services, second medical opinions, and more.
Bupa International Insurance for Expat Seniors in Vietnam
Bupa offers no upper age limit for certain policies and an age limit of under 75 for others. You can pick from their five international health insurance plans for ultimate flexibility: Major Medical, Select, Premier, Elite, and Ultimate. Bupa is known for their top-of-the-line benefits.
Cigna International Insurance for Expat Seniors in Vietnam
Cigna has three international health insurance plans for expats over 60 in Vietnam—the Silver, Gold, Platinum plans. With these plans, you can receive coverage for pre-existing conditions like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, glaucoma, arthritis, and more.
Some of the other benefits of Cigna plans that are helpful for older expats include coverage for:
- Cancer care
- Chronic conditions
- Outpatient care
- Overall wellness
- Vision treatment
- Dental treatment
NOW Health International Insurance for Expat Seniors in Vietnam
NOW Health’s WorldCare plans in Essential, Advance, Excel, and Apex offer some of the best solutions for seniors in Vietnam. Applicants up to 79 years old can begin their international policy with NOW Health, and all plans except the Essential plan offer coverage for chronic conditions.
Getting Insurance Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions as a Senior Expat
Most pre-existing conditions are not covered outright by international health insurers. Many exclude pre-existing conditions altogether. Those who do cover these conditions may require moratoriums, waiting periods, or loading. Find out about these and the underwriting process to get coverage.
- Moratorium Underwriting: You do not share your medical history upfront, and insurers exclude conditions from the last five years. After two continuous years on your policy without symptoms or treatment, it may become covered. Moratorium gives you a faster application but less certainty of coverage.
- Full Medical Underwriting: You share all your medical history when you apply for coverage, and the insurer decides whether or not to cover you in full, with exclusions, or not at all. Full underwriting takes longer than moratorium underwriting but is much more secure.
- Exclusions: Insurers may choose to cover most of your medical needs but not all of them. This can include excluding symptoms, treatment, or medication for conditions they deem too financially risky for them.
- Loading: Insurers may choose to cover your pre-existing condition but charge a higher rate, usually reflected in your premium, to offset their financial risk.
The Best Visas for Senior and Retiree Expats in Vietnam
Vietnam has no retirement visa, so the best options for senior expats wanting to move to Vietnam without working include the E-Visa, the Investor Visa, the Five-Year Visa Exemption, and the TT Visa. Here is a short overview of each of these visas.
- E-Visa: The E-Visa allows expats to come and go within Vietnam for 90 days. Expats must leave and re-enter the country (often known as a visa run) every three months. Family sponsorship is not available with the E-visa.
- Investor Visa (DT Series): The Investor Visa allows individuals to contribute to Vietnam’s economy and be granted access to live in the country from 12 months to five years, depending on the amount invested. Family sponsorship is available with the investor visa.
- Five-Year Visa Exemption: This visa allows expats who have a Vietnamese spouse or children to live in Vietnam. They must have a passport that has at least one year of validity.
- TT Visa: Similar to a Five-Year Exemption Visa, this visa allows expats who are the spouse, children, or parents of Vietnamese citizens. It is valid for up to 12 months but can be upgraded by getting a temporary residence card, allowing you to stay for up to three years.
Top Hospitals for Senior Expats in Vietnam
Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City are some of the top locations in Vietnam for expats. Vietnam’s public healthcare is often overrun, so private facilities are considered preferable, especially for older expats who may need specialized care.
Here are some of the top hospitals for senior expats:
- Da Nang: Da Nang Oncology Hospital, Hoan My Da Nang Hospital, Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital, and Family Medical Practice are some of the best medical facilities for expats in Da Nang.
- Hoi An: Pacific Hospital Hoi An is available for expats in Hoi An, but many expats travel to Da Nang for treatment.
- Hue: Hue Central Hospital International Medical Center, Hue Central Hospital, and Hue University Hospital are some of the top medical facilities for senior expats in Hue.
- Nha Trang: Vinmec International Hospital Nha Trang, Tam Tri Nha Trang General Hospital, and 22-12 Hospital (VK Hospital) are the favorite choices for expats in Nha Trang.
- Ho Chi Minh City: FV Hospital, Vinmec Central Park International Hospital, and Family Medical Practice offer the best care for expats in Ho Chi Minh City.
Why Do I Need International Health Insurance for Vietnam?
Vietnam public hospitals often do not meet standards expats are familiar with back home. Most doctors and staff in public Vietnam hospitals also only speak Vietnamese, but international insurance offers more English-friendly options.
Vietnam’s public hospitals are often underfunded and lack the necessary equipment to run smoothly. Wait times are also often very long, and quality of care in rural areas is sparse. These issues make most expats opt for private healthcare, which is available through international health insurance.
International coverage plans also include medical evacuation. This is essential in Vietnam since the quality of care varies across the country and medical transportation to adequate facilities can be extremely expensive without insurance.
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. This comes from Pacific Prime’s proprietary data collected from real customers.
Please note that all insurance prices are highly individual, with costs depending heavily on factors such as health history, plan selection, deductibles, copays, and add-on benefits. For exact prices, please use our free quote tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does health insurance cost in Vietnam?
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. Local plans will cost less but provide only regional coverage.
Can you use Medicare in Vietnam?
Medicare does not extend coverage to U.S. expats living in Vietnam.
How much does a doctor’s visit cost in Vietnam?
A doctor’s visit at a public hospital in Vietnam may cost between USD $5 and $15. Private clinics are more at around USd $30–$60, with international hospitals costing the most at about USD $65–$130 or more.
Conclusion
International health insurance gives senior expats in Vietnam the benefits and services they need to stay healthy and enjoy their lifestyle abroad. Top providers like Cigna, AXA, and Allianz make it easy to secure a plan that is tailored to your budget and health history.
If you’re still deciding between health insurers for your move to Vietnam, read our article on the top 10 insurance companies in Vietnam for expats in 2026.
To start comparing quotes, use our free quote tool or talk to one of our professional brokers. They can help you get the best deal on a plan, compare other top providers, and more.
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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