{"id":17394,"date":"2023-07-06T11:24:51","date_gmt":"2023-07-06T09:24:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.foyerglobalhealth.com\/?post_type=destinationcpt&p=17394"},"modified":"2026-02-25T16:35:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T15:35:26","slug":"international-health-insurance-for-expatriates-in-vietnam","status":"publish","type":"destinationcpt","link":"https:\/\/globalhealth.insurance\/destination\/international-health-insurance-for-expatriates-in-vietnam\/","title":{"rendered":"International Health Insurance for Expatriates in Vietnam"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A land of bustling metropolises and picturesque villages, a thriving economy, and scenic landscapes\u2026Vietnam has been attracting countless travelers and expatriates for decades. If you also plan to relocate to Mainland Southeast Asia, Global Health has developed a guide with essential health tips to assist you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vietnam\u2019s healthcare system<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The healthcare system in Vietnam is continuously evolving. Since the 1980s, the government has made significant investments in healthcare infrastructure to enhance access to healthcare and improve medical coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The country has implemented a social security system that includes compulsory health insurance, providing basic coverage for employees in both the private and public sectors, as    well as foreign students. Additionally, voluntary health insurance is available for people such as national students, employees in the non-profit sector, and the self-employed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, compared to other Asian countries<\/a> like Thailand<\/a>, Vietnam’s public healthcare system is less efficient and faces significant challenges<\/strong>, including a lack of modern medical equipment, a shortage of qualified staff, unhygienic conditions, overcrowded institutions, and insufficient medical cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are, however, many private healthcare providers, including private clinics and hospitals, that offer primary and specialized care. Some of these establishments have earned a very good reputation due to the excellent quality of their services, state-of-the-art equipment, and highly skilled medical professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to note that access to health services varies widely depending on the location and available resources in terms of staff and equipment<\/strong>. In rural areas, for instance, it is difficult to find hospitals or health centres equipped with basic, high-quality medical facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the quality of healthcare in Vietnam?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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In Vietnam, there are significant disparities<\/strong> in the quality of healthcare between public and private health establishments on one hand and between urban and rural areas on the other hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there are excellent public hospitals, such as Cho Ray hospital in Ho Chi Minh City<\/strong>, the quality of medical services can vary significantly from one establishment to another. In major cities, long waiting times for treatment are common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Private hospitals in cities like Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi and Hai Phong<\/strong>, offer healthcare services comparable to Western countries such as France or the United States. These private establishments have highly skilled and Anglophone health professionals who have received training abroad. Some private hospitals even hold international accreditation from bodies like the Joint Commission International<\/a>, ensuring high-quality standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Private healthcare establishments, equipped with modern medical equipment, receive partial funding from foreign investments and hire medical practitioners trained abroad. They often cater to foreign and\/or affluent patients seeking more specialized or personalized care.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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How much do healthcare services cost?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Vietnamese health insurance offers insufficient coverage for healthcare costs and it may not be accepted in the private sector. It is, therefore, essential to get private health insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most public hospitals do not accept international insurance cards. Therefore, you are usually required to pay in advance, sometimes even before the consultation, and then submit the bill to your insurer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Private medical care can be quite expensive for expatriates, especially in specialized areas of medicine, although the costs are relatively lower compared to other Asian countries. Regarding billing and paying options, you may be asked to pay the fees upfront, upon admission to the establishment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you will most likely pay between VND 150,000 to VND 500,000 (\u20ac5.84 to \u20ac19.50)  for a medical consultation with a general practitioner in the public sector, and between VND400,000 to VND 1.6 million (\u20ac15.60 to \u20ac62) in the private sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recommended medical institutions:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\u00c0 Hanoi :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n