Health insurance in Vietnam: how to choose the right plan

Vietnam is really affordable for day-to-day healthcare. After all, a GP visit at a local clinic costs $10 to $30. It’s one of the reasons many expats and digital nomads skip health insurance altogether. But is it the right call?

Let’s imagine you’re in a motorbike accident in Hoi An. It’s more common than you’d think. Motorbike accidents are the leading cause of serious injury for foreigners in Vietnam. They're the main reason for emergency evacuation, too. That's all according to the US State Department.

So, you’re transferred to an international hospital in Da Nang. The bill before treatment starts: $500 to $2,000. If the injuries need specialist care, a medical evacuation to Bangkok runs $15,000 to $50,000. Vietnamese health insurance isn’t legally required. But going without it is an expensive gamble.

Figuring out health insurance in Vietnam as an expat isn’t always straightforward. This guide breaks it down.

This guide covers:

• How Vietnam’s healthcare system is structured, and why cheap local care has real limits

• The three main Vietnam health insurance options. Vietnamese social insurance, local private plans, and international cover

• A side-by-side comparison of all three types of Vietnam health insurance

• Which option suits your profile: nomad, employed expat, remote worker, or retiree

• How to get covered with health insurance for expats in Vietnam, step by step

One thing worth saying upfront: Feather sells international health insurance in Vietnam. We’ll tell you when it’s the right option, and when it might not be.

How does healthcare in Vietnam work?

Healthcare in Vietnam runs on three tiers. The gap between them is significant. That gap is what shapes your options.

Public hospitals

This is cheap and widely available. But public healthcare in Vietnam is overcrowded and almost entirely Vietnamese-language. Fine for minor ailments, difficult for anything complex.

Private Vietnamese hospitals

Better equipped and easier to navigate than public hospitals. Costs for this kind of private healthcare in Vietnam are mid-range. English support is inconsistent.

International hospitals

FV Hospital, Vinmec, and Family Medical Practice offer Western-standard care in English. They’re the only facilities equipped for many complex emergencies and specialist procedures. These hospitals are excellent, but expensive. And they're concentrated in HCMC, Hanoi, and Da Nang.

The cost of healthcare in Vietnam: what to expect without insurance

Costs have a tendency to rise rapidly here. For instance, it was reported that prices for medical services and medicines increased 14.4% in Q1 2025.

Here are the costs as of Q1 2026:

• GP visit (local clinic): $10–30

• GP visit (international hospital, e.g. Family Medical Practice): $80–150

• ER visit (FV Hospital): $500–2,000+

• Hospital stay (international): $400–2,000+ per night

• Medical evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore: $15,000–50,000

Health insurance options in Vietnam for foreigners

There are three main options for health insurance for foreigners in Vietnam. Which applies to you depends mostly on your employment situation.

Vietnamese public health insurance (Bảo hiểm y tế / BHYT)

Vietnam’s state health insurance scheme covers foreign workers with a valid work permit. They must also be employed by a Vietnam-based employer on a contract of 12 months or more.

Health insurance (BHYT) contributions are 4.5% of your salary. The employer pays 3% and the employee pays 1.5%. That's all dictated by Vietnam Social Security rules.

In practice, BHYT has real limitations for expats seeking healthcare in Vietnam:

• Cover is restricted to a designated hospital network

• All processes are in Vietnamese

• Not available to freelancers, digital nomads, retirees

• Also not available to remote workers employed by non-Vietnamese companies

You may qualify, but even so, it’s worth reviewing your options. BHYT alone rarely covers international hospitals or evacuation.

Local private Vietnam health insurance

What are some providers that offer private plans to foreigners? Bao Viet, PVI, and Liberty Insurance. All are regulated by the Vietnam Ministry of Finance. Annual premiums typically run from around $200 to $1,000, depending on age and coverage level.

The annual cap is the key issue. Local policies typically cap payouts at VND 100–500 million, or roughly $4,000 to $20,000. Let's say your policy caps at VND 100 million ($4,000). It can be exhausted within days of a serious incident at an international hospital.

Other limitations:

• Policies are issued and processed in Vietnamese

• Age limits typically cut off at 60–65

• Pre-existing conditions are usually excluded

• Claims processing can be slow

• Motorbike accidents may not be covered. Particularly if the rider doesn’t hold a valid Vietnamese driving licence. It's a common exclusion that catches expats off guard

So, let's say you're an expat using international hospitals. Local private Vietnam health insurance is partial cover at best. It won’t protect you when it matters most. That's exactly the gap international cover addresses.

“The thing that catches people out most in Vietnam isn’t the cost of a GP visit. It’s what happens when something serious goes wrong. A local private policy might look adequate on paper. But a cap of $4,000 to $20,000 doesn’t go far at an international hospital. We built our plan to cover the things that actually matter. Those are evacuation, international hospitals, and no ceiling on what we’ll pay out.”

Julian, Head of Insurance at Feather

International health insurance in Vietnam

International health insurance is designed to work for most expats in Vietnam. There's no employment link required. It works at international hospitals, in English. Many plans also offer direct billing at major Vietnamese hospitals, so you don’t need to pay upfront and claim later. For more, see our guide to how international health insurance works.

What international cover offers that local Vietnam health insurance options don’t:

• Cover at any hospital in Vietnam, including FV, Vinmec, and Family Medical Practice

• Medical evacuation and repatriation (being flown home) included

• Higher age limit (up to 75 with Feather)

• No annual cap on most plans

• English-language application, claims, and support

• Fully portable. Moves with you to Thailand, Indonesia, or anywhere else. See our guide to international health insurance for digital nomads.

Feather’s international health insurance in Vietnam starts from EUR 85 per month. Plans can be tailored by coverage level and deductible. Your certificate is issued quickly after approval. Handy if you need it for a visa application or an employer. That’s one big reason it's the type of health insurance Vietnam expats choose.

Comparing expat health insurance in Vietnam

Still can’t figure out which is the best health insurance for expats in Vietnam, according to your needs? The table below shows how the three options compare on the things that matter most.

The annual cap column is the most important for expats using international hospitals. A low cap is effectively no cover when you need serious care.

All figures are approximate and reflect indicative market rates as of Q1 2026. International figures based on Feather pricing.

Which expat health insurance in Vietnam is right for you?

Your options come down to two things: where you work and where you live. Both affect your Vietnam health insurance options.

Employed with a work permit

BHYT gives you a basic baseline. But it won’t cover international hospitals, and the Vietnamese-only process is a real barrier. Many employed expats supplement with international cover for hospital choice, evacuation, and English support.

Digital nomad

No employment link means no BHYT eligibility. Local private policies have low caps and Vietnamese-language processes. So, how do digital nomads get expat health insurance in Vietnam? Go international. It’s the simplest. See our guide to international health insurance for digital nomads for more.

Studying abroad? Check out our guide to international health insurance for students.

Remote worker (long-term stay)

Working remotely for a non-Vietnamese employer? That puts you in the same position as a digital nomad. International cover makes sense for portability and English-language hospital access. See our guide to international health insurance for freelancers.

Retiree

What about retirees seeking Vietnam expat health insurance via local private plans? That gets harder after 60–65. Medical evacuation cover is especially important. International insurance typically has higher age limits. See our guide to international health insurance for seniors.

Based outside HCMC, Hanoi, or Da Nang

International-standard hospitals are concentrated in Vietnam’s three main cities. If you’re in Hoi An, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, or anywhere more rural, medical evacuation isn’t an edge case. It’s how serious care actually happens.

How to get international health insurance in Vietnam

Looking for international health insurance for expats in Vietnam? It’s simpler than you’d expect. Here’s how to do it:

• Decide on coverage area. Vietnam only, or worldwide? International cover gives you portability if you plan to move on.

• Consider your location. Based outside the major cities? Evacuation cover matters more than anything else.

• Compare plans. This is key to finding the best health insurance for expats in Vietnam. It means matching cover to your situation. Look at annual caps, hospital access, language, and whether evacuation is included.

• Apply online. Feather’s application is entirely in English. You’ll receive your certificate quickly after approval. Moving with family? See our guide to international health insurance for families.

Looking for health insurance in Vietnam?

Want hospital choice, evacuation cover, and a policy that moves with you? International cover is the one that does all three. But why not local Vietnamese private insurance? As we've explored, it caps out well below the cost of a serious incident. Meanwhile, BHYT ties you to one designated hospital. It also isn’t available to most foreigners.

Get a quote

Feather’s international health insurance starts from EUR 85 per month. Cover is available up to age 75 and there’s no Vietnamese-language paperwork. You can get a quote and apply entirely online. Most applicants have their certificate within a few days.