Expats in Vietnam can buy private health insurance or enroll in a public health insurance program if eligible. Many expats choose to purchase international health insurance plans with customizable benefits to gain access to speedy and higher-quality care in private health facilities.

At Pacific Prime, our insurance experts can help expats find the right international health insurance plan for their time in Vietnam. Get free quotes and plan comparisons nowOr keep reading to learn more about the Vietnamese healthcare system and available health insurance options for expats in Vietnam.

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Vietnam

The Healthcare System in Vietnam

Vietnam’s healthcare system consists of both public and private health sectors. The majority of hospitals are public hospitals, which provide discounted healthcare under the Social Health Insurance program. Private healthcare is geared towards expats and concentrates mainly in major cities.

For expats seeking healthcare in Vietnam, we have made a comparison between the two systems down below to help you make informed decisions on where to get your healthcare. We have also compiled a list of recommended hospitals in Vietnam for you as well.

Public Healthcare in Vietnam

Public health institutions make up the majority of the Vietnamese healthcare system. They provide discounted medical services for Vietnamese and expats who are covered by the Social Health Insurance program, making public medical services very affordable.

However, one should note that due to its affordability, Vietnamese public hospitals generally have long waiting times and limited resources, including limited beds for patient admission.

There is also a large gap between the standard of care in urban and rural regions. Good public hospitals, including those in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, will be inundated by people who come to seek better care.

Some public hospitals in the rural regions might not meet Western standards and are often underfunded and understaffed.

Most medical staff in public hospitals will speak only Vietnamese, meaning care can be a slow and frustrating process for expats who don’t speak Vietnamese.

Recommended Public Hospitals in Vietnam

• General Hospital of Danang City (Da Nang)
• Da Nang General Hospital (Da Nang)
• Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi)
• Hanoi Medical University Hospital (Hanoi)
• Cho Ray Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City)
• Pediatric Hospital No. 2 (Ho Chi Minh City)

Private Healthcare in Vietnam

Private hospitals, though generally located within major cities only, can offer high-quality care, with modern facilities and medical staff trained abroad. Expats are more likely to find English-speaking or French-speaking staff in private facilities.

Unlike in most public hospitals, expats can also expect a higher level of comfort and privacy in private hospitals, with more available spaces and beds for admitting patients.

However, as private healthcare is generally not covered by public health insurance, and some private hospitals might charge higher fees for expats; most expats will take out a private health insurance plan to ensure their coverage for these private facilities.

Recommended Private Hospitals in Vietnam:

• Hoan My General Hospital (Da Nang)
• Vinmec Da Nang International Hospital (Da Nang)
• Family Medical Practice Hanoi (Hanoi)
• Hanoi French Hospital (Hanoi)
• American International Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City)
• Franco-Vietnamese Hospital (FV Hospital) (Ho Chi Minh City)

Health Insurance Options for Expats in Vietnam

Public and private health insurance are the two options available to expats in Vietnam. However, expats need work permits to register for public health insurance. Many will consider private health insurance plans to gain access to private healthcare and benefits like medical evacuation.

We have compiled all you need to know about public and private health insurance options in Vietnam as well as some chief reasons why many expats consider taking private options below. Continue reading to learn more.

Public Health Insurance for Expats in Vietnam

Expats who work in Vietnam with a permit and temporary residence card are required to contribute to Vietnam’s medical and Social Health Insurance program, allowing them to use public health facilities at a discounted rate.

The Vietnamese social health insurance program usually provides basic coverage for treatment such as:

• Hospitalization
• Outpatient care
• Prescription drugs
• Maternity care
• Pathology
• Birth defects

However, please note that public health facilities in Vietnam usually don't have English-speaking staff. Should you like to seek care from English-speaking staff, you might have to shoulder the cost yourself.

Complex medical treatments as well as medical evacuation could also result in large out-of-the-pocket bills not covered by the public health insurance.

Private Health Insurance for Expats in Vietnam

There are different private health insurance plan options expats can choose for their stay in Vietnam. Many have benefits that can be customized to your needs as well as options for families, couples, and retirees.

Private insurance generally offers coverage for:

• In-patients treatments
• Out-patient services
• Emergency care
• Evacuation and repatriation

Many expats opt to purchase a private health insurance plan for the following reasons:

English or French-Speaking Medical Staff

Most of the medical staff in Vietnamese public hospitals will speak Vietnamese only. Expats generally take out private health insurance plans to have access to English- or French-speaking medical staff in private hospitals in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Staff in private hospitals are also usually well-trained, with many receiving their training abroad, and are ready to assist expats who don’t speak Vietnamese.

Medical Evacuation

Some expats would take out private health insurance plans to ensure coverage for medical evacuation and treatment outside of Vietnam, such as in Thailand and Singapore, as hospitals in these countries can have more comprehensive facilities for more advanced treatment.

Better Accommodation and Better Privacy

Bed shortage is one of the problems plaguing the Vietnamese public healthcare system, including in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Private facilities can offer cleaner and more comfortable accommodations with better privacy compared to public hospitals.

Generally, expats can secure a private health insurance plan for their stay in Vietnam through the three following types of plans: travel, local, and international. Which specific plan is best for you will depend on your circumstances.

Types of Private Health Insurance Plans for Expats in Vietnam

Travel, local, and international health insurance plans will provide different kinds and levels of coverage for expats or travelers in Vietnam. They will come at different premiums and different perks that suit different kinds of travelers and/or expats. Here are some brief comparisons:

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance works best for travelers on a short trip or if you plan only a temporary visit to Vietnam. Travel insurance can provide you medical coverage for any care you need during the trip as well as travel-related accidents or emergencies such as flight cancellations and lost luggage.

Local Insurance

Local insurance plans can be among the most affordable health insurance options for you if you plan to stay in Vietnam only. It will come at a lower premium, but your coverage will be limited to medical care you receive inside Vietnam only.

International Health Insurance

International health insurance will be the most comprehensive health insurance in Vietnam for you. It can provide healthcare coverage virtually everywhere in the world for you, both inside and outside of Vietnam. This usually works best for globally mobile expats and frequent travelers.

Top International Health Insurance Options in Vietnam for Expats

The best international health insurance plan for expats in Vietnam will offer comprehensive coverage and customizable benefits.

Here is a list of the best international health insurance providers in Vietnam:

• Allianz
• April International
• AXA
• Cigna
• Luma
• William Russell

Pacific Prime negotiates with insurance companies for customers to find them the best possible plan for their needs. Because we aren’t tied to one specific insurer, we can give impartial advice as we help you compare plans.

Cost of Health Insurance in Vietnam

Health insurance plans vary in price in Vietnam due to several factors like geographical coverage and level of coverage. Local health insurance plans may be cheaper due to limited geographical coverage, but they won’t cover you on any trips outside Vietnam’s borders.

For more information on international health insurance costs, check out our Cost of International Health Insurance 2023 Report.

Qualifying for Health Insurance in Vietnam

Expats qualify for health insurance through their employers for the public health plan. For private health insurance, expats will need to apply on their own through their respective chosen companies.

International Health Insurance Providers

Expats have a wide selection of international insurance providers that offer coverage in Vietnam, such as Aetna, Luma Health, and more. We will cover each provider below with an overview of the features of their respective plans.

Cigna Global Insurance Plan

Cigna offers several insurance plans that give access to healthcare to expats and non-residents. With 24/7 access to a customer care team and reliable service and access to private hospitals, Cigna offers expats peace of mind and care while they travel and live abroad.

Cigna has a silver, gold, and platinum plan with various levels of coverage. All three of these plans share several common key coverage benefits:

Allianz

Allianz offers comprehensive insurance plans in Vietnam to cater to all expats’ needs. Riders are available to be purchased and attached to any basic policy that Allianz approves. These riders can offer coverage for accidents and other risks.

April International

April International has over 30 years of experience in the international health insurance market and provides both comprehensive and flexible plans to expats while in Vietnam. They provide varying levels of coverage, fully customizable policies, and a wide direct billing network.

Some of the shared coverage across their plans are:

AXA

AXA global health insurance is a great choice for expats in Vietnam. They offer short-term and long-term plans, with comprehensive coverage for any medical needs.

Some examples of shared coverage by all AXA insurance plans include:

Luma Health

Luma Health offers expats in Vietnam comprehensive and flexible health insurance solutions. They offer Asia Care Premier, Asia Care Pro, and Asia Care Plus plans. These are designed specifically for expats in South-East Asia.

William Russell

William Russell offers insurance plans that are globally portable across countries, so expats can travel while protected. They also renew their contracts on an annual basis, so their members never feel like they’re locked into long-term contracts.

The basic features of all their plans are:

Retirees Seeking International Healthcare in Vietnam

Expats retiring in Vietnam should purchase an international health insurance plan that offers comprehensive and flexible coverage for their medical needs. This may include coverage for cancer screenings, chronic conditions support, and preventative health support.

Reach out to Pacific Prime to hear all of our international insurance plans for retirees in Vietnam. We can help secure a plan that will provide excellent coverage for your needs, as well as provide access to all the best private hospitals and care.

How to Use International Health Insurance in Vietnam

Expats can use their international health insurance plan to gain access at private health facilities. Expats are more likely to find an English-speaking family Vietnamese physician at a private health clinic than a public one.

To receive care at private hospitals, the hospitals will ask for your insurance details, and you will receive a discounted fee based on your coverage. Sometimes, you may need to pay in full and reimburse the amount from your insurer later.

Most public hospitals do not accept international health insurance. You will likely need to pay the full price upfront and reimburse the amount later. Public hospitals may also require payment before you can receive care from a doctor.

Travel Tips in Vietnam

Expats in Vietnam can travel safely by following tips like only drinking bottled water and using mosquito repellent. Here is a list of some more travel tips for expats:

• Buy bottled water and don’t drink tap water as well as ice from public places
• Always wear sunscreen
• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
• Countryside in Vietnam carries high risk of hepatitis A&B
• Use mosquito repellant to lower the risk of dengue and malaria

Conclusion

Expats can choose international health insurance to provide them with the best care during their time in Vietnam and all over the world. There is a long list of providers Pacific Prime is partnered with that can offer the security that expats need during their global travels.

With Pacific Prime, you don’t need to wait until you visit Vietnam to buy insurance; we can organize it for you now! Our expert staff can help you assess and clarify your health needs and provide you with options to choose from.

We have over 20 years of experience in delivering robust insurance solutions to more than 500,000 members around the world. For a free quote or some helpful advice, contact our team today!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is healthcare in Vietnam cheap?

Medical costs are low in Vietnam, especially when compared to high medical costs in countries such as the United States. This low cost can come with its own disadvantages, as Vietnamese public healthcare can be lacking in resources.

2. Will Vietnam accept Medicare?

No countries outside of the United States and its territories will accept Medicare. Retirees looking to live in or travel to Vietnam will want to secure their own private health insurance plan.

3. Is there universal healthcare in Vietnam?

Vietnam is working to ensure universal health coverage for all its residents. Health insurance coverage stood at around 89.3% as of 2021. Vietnamese employees, as well as expats working in Vietnam with a permit, must enroll in the Social Health Insurance program for public health insurance.