Health insurance in Vietnam
Medical coverage for expats & foreigners
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Why get private health insurance in Vietnam?
Vietnam's public health insurance (BHYT) is only open to foreigners with a local work contract of 12 months or more. Everyone else needs private cover. And going without gets expensive. A private doctor's visit costs 3,000,000 VND (€100). A night in the hospital, 13,000,000 VND (€420). Some visas require it, too.
How does the healthcare system work in Vietnam?
BHYT (Bảo hiểm y tế): Vietnam's public health insurance
BHYT covers the basics: doctor's visits, hospital stays, emergencies, maternity, and prescribed medication. But it's only for foreigners employed on a Vietnamese contract of 12 months or more. If that's you, your employer enrolls you automatically. Investors, students, retirees, and nomads can't join.
Pharmacies & medication
Chains like Long Chau and Pharmacity are everywhere in the cities, and staff in major branches usually speak English. Outside the big three cities, expect Vietnamese only. Two tips: 24-hour pharmacies are rare, so head to a hospital pharmacy like Vinmec or FV after hours. And if you take regular medication, bring the generic name rather than the brand name.
Emergency services in Vietnam
Dial 115 for an ambulance (113 for police, 114 for fire). Good to know: operators speak Vietnamese only, and while city response times are 10–25 minutes, rural areas can take much longer. Many expats instead save the direct number of a private hospital like Vinmec or FV. Their ambulances are faster and English-speaking.
What expats need health insurance?
Digital nomads
Vietnam doesn't have a digital nomad visa, so most nomads stay on 90-day e-visas (with no access to BHYT). An international plan with evacuation cover is essential.
Retirees
Most retirees enter Vietnam on a 90-day e-visa or a TT family or DT investor visa. Neither visa allows access to the public system.
Families
Hospitals like FV and Vinmec offer international-standard care for children. Giving birth at FV costs 37,650,000 VND (€1,230).
Gap year & job seekers
You'll arrive on a 90-day e-visa with no access to BHYT. Even after signing a 12-month contract, your employer's registration takes weeks.
Students
Student visa holders can't join BHYT, and most universities ask for proof of private insurance before you can enroll. Check what your school requires.
Other
You might find yourself in a different situation also needing health insurance. We are happy to assess your individual situation and help you with the plan that meets your requirements!
Get global health insurance that works in Vietnam
Plans from €42/month. Sign up online in minutes.
How much is health insurance in Vietnam?
It depends on three things: Your age, desired level of coverage, and whether you opt for public or private.
Public healthcare in Vietnam
If you're employed on a contract of 12 months or more, you contribute 1.5% of your salary and your employer adds 3%. In-network, BHYT covers 80–100% of costs. Without a referral, that drops to 40–50%.
Self-employed? Freelancing? Retired? You can't join at all.
Private medical insurance
Feather plans start at €42 a month for inpatient cover, rising to €250+ for comprehensive plans that include outpatient, dental, mental health, maternity, and evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore.
How does Feather's international health insurance work?
Choose your plan
Compare Essential and Plus, pick your deductible, and sign up in under 5 minutes. No paperwork, no medical exams.
Get your documents instantly
Your confirmation and visa-ready proof-of-coverage documents land in your account straight away.
Visit any doctor
See any licensed doctor, specialist, or hospital in Vietnam. No referrals, no network restrictions, no pre-approval.
Upload your bill in the app
Already paid? Open the Feather app, snap a photo of your invoice, and submit your claim in under a minute.
Get reimbursed to your account
We review your claim and reimburse you directly to your bank account. Most claims are processed within two weeks.
Cancel anytime after year one
There's a one-year minimum term. After that, cancel whenever you want. No penalties.
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Why choose Feather?
200,000+ happy customers
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Paid out in three weeks on average.
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On over 2,500 reviews.
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