Vietnam is an easy country to travel through, but that does not mean everything will always go according to plan. A sudden illness, an accident, a cancelled flight or lost luggage can turn a great holiday into an expensive problem.

For a trip to Vietnam, good travel insurance is therefore worth having. The important thing is not simply to choose the cheapest policy, but to check what it actually covers — especially medical treatment, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation and activities such as riding a motorbike.

In this guide, we explain what to look for in travel insurance for Vietnam and which types of coverage are particularly useful when travelling around the country.

1. Not all travel insurance policies offer the same level of protection. Before travelling to Vietnam, check the actual terms and exclusions, especially if you are planning a longer trip or more active holiday.

   1. Medical treatment and emergencies: Your policy should cover necessary medical treatment, hospital stays, doctor’s fees and, where needed, emergency evacuation or repatriation. A higher medical limit is particularly important when travelling outside major cities.

   2. Trip cancellation and interruption: Look for cover that can help with non-refundable travel costs if you have to cancel or cut your trip short for a covered reason.

   3. Baggage and personal belongings: Check what the policy covers if your luggage is lost, stolen or damaged, and pay attention to the limits for individual valuables.

   4. Motorbikes and other activities: If you plan to ride a motorbike in Vietnam or take part in activities such as climbing or other adventure sports, check the policy carefully. Some insurers exclude these activities or require specific conditions to be met for the coverage to apply.

   Choosing the Right Travel Insurance

   When choosing travel insurance for Vietnam, consider how long you will be travelling, what activities you plan to do and whether you will visit other countries during the same trip.

   Most importantly, read the exclusions and conditions before buying the policy. The cheapest insurance is not necessarily the best choice if an important part of your trip is excluded or the coverage limits are too low.

If your trip includes Vietnam as well as other destinations in Asia, you can choose a policy that covers multiple countries during the same journey.

Depending on the plan, available coverage can include:

• Medical expenses: Coverage from USD 200,000 up to unlimited medical coverage.
• Emergency evacuation and repatriation: Coverage for emergency evacuation and repatriation is available, depending on the selected plan and policy conditions.
• Trip cancellation: Coverage of up to USD 5,000 may be available.
• Baggage delay: Selected plans can cover essential items after a qualifying baggage delay.
• Flight delays: Compensation for eligible expenses may be available when a flight is delayed for the required period.

The available plans and coverage limits can change, so check the current terms and conditions before purchasing.

Countries Covered

Depending on the selected plan, coverage may include:

Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Timor-Leste, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Singapore, China, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, the Maldives and South Korea.*

*Check the current policy terms for any specific conditions or exclusions relating to Nepal or other destinations.

COVID-19 is no longer a special entry requirement for travellers to Vietnam. However, medical problems can still happen during a trip, so it is worth checking whether your travel insurance includes COVID-19-related treatment and what exclusions apply.

Travel requirements can change, particularly in response to health or other extraordinary circumstances. Before travelling, check the latest Vietnam travel restrictions and entry requirements if you are unsure about the current rules.

For most travellers, the more important question is not whether COVID-19 insurance is specifically required, but whether their travel insurance provides adequate medical coverage for illness, accidents and emergency treatment during their stay.

Vietnam has both public and private hospitals, with the best-equipped facilities generally found in larger cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

For foreign travellers, medical treatment is normally paid for by the patient or their insurance provider. This is one of the main reasons we recommend having travel insurance with sufficient medical coverage, particularly if you are travelling outside the major tourist centres.

If you need medical attention during your trip, contact your insurance company's assistance service as soon as possible. They can advise you where to seek treatment and, depending on your policy, arrange direct payment or other assistance.

You can also find a list of hospitals in Vietnam if you want to know where the main medical facilities are located.

Good travel insurance for Vietnam does not have to be complicated. The important thing is to choose a policy with sufficient medical coverage and to check the conditions for the activities and situations that apply to your trip.

Before you travel, make sure you understand what is covered, what is excluded, and how to contact the insurer if something goes wrong. A few minutes spent checking the policy can save you a lot of stress — and potentially a significant amount of money — later.

With the right insurance in place, you can simply get on with your trip and enjoy Vietnam.

Safe travels and see you in Vietnam!