Understanding Health Insurance in Vietnam for Expats
Vietnam is hugely popular with immigrants, expats, and digital nomads. The cost of living is low, and finding a job is relatively easy. Vietnam boasts one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with an estimated 6.7% GDP growth rate in 2015. However, the state of healthcare in Vietnam has room to improve. While the country is currently working towards achieving universal healthcare, standards in public facilities remain low.
However, there are encouraging signs of improvement. For instance, between 2000 and 2012, life expectancy in Vietnam rose by an average of two years. And, according to the World Health Organization, over 97% of Vietnamese children receive standard immunizations, one of the highest rates in the world. For would-be expats contemplating a move, this is what they need to know about health insurance in Vietnam for foreigners and expats.
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Overview of Vietnam’s Health Insurance Plans
The government of Vietnam is attempting to establish a universal health plan similar to Thailand’s, with health insurance.
Such a plan would be expected to cover the cost of basic medical care for all legal residents. Known as the Master Plan for Universal Coverage, one of its goals is to reduce out-of-pocket costs to less than 40% of the usual 80%.
Currently, local companies are struggling to identify suitable healthcare partners to meet the government’s mandate of providing healthcare coverage for their staff.
However, the overall system is slowly modernizing. In June 2019, an electronic health record management system based on social security codes was introduced to serve as the basis for a national health data system.
Pros and Cons of Using the Local Health Insurance System
There is one significant advantage of using Vietnam’s public health facilities. The cost is substantially lower than in other countries. It can cost as little as a few dollars to see a physician.
However, that low rate has its own cost. Public facilities are often cramped and crowded, with limited privacy, no interpreters available, and outdated diagnostic equipment. In rural areas, public health facilities are extremely basic and sometimes non-existent.
Most expats use private hospitals. There is usually English-speaking staff, as well as a large number of multilingual doctors. French, Japanese, Korean, and Russian are common second and third languages.
While not as plush as private hospitals in other countries, patients can expect clean, comfortable care, good communication, high-quality diagnostic tests, and a reasonable standard of privacy.
Things You Need To Know When Considering Insurance
The rural-urban divide in Vietnam is serious. Access to healthcare facilities in rural Vietnam is limited and, when available, extremely basic.
As such, patients who can afford to do so make the trip into the city to visit the higher-quality public hospitals there. Thus, the already strained hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are even more crowded and congested.
It’s not uncommon for expats living in rural areas to carry insurance that covers treatment outside Vietnam, such as in Singapore or Thailand, especially for specialist care.
How Expats Can Qualify For Health Insurance in Vietnam
Currently, there is no public health insurance available for expats to qualify for in Vietnam. Hopefully, this will change in the near future.
Expats are not required to have international health insurance to gain a work permit or qualify for residency.
However, foreigners must have a clean bill of health to qualify for a work permit. This means expats must obtain a 12-month medical certificate.
You can find out more about this practice, which hospitals and clinics provide certificates, and what you can expect from this Vietnamese law firm by reading its helpful article.
Best Health Insurance in Vietnam for Expats and Foreigners
For most international citizens and expats living in Japan, the Cigna Global plan is an excellent option. Clients will have access to their choice of hospitals and doctors in Vietnam and worldwide, including private facilities.
You can choose from different levels of coverage and benefits, and manage costs by including or excluding select benefit packages.
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- Flexible plans tailored to your needs and budget
- 1.5M+ providers in 200+ countries
- 24/7 multilingual customer support
Best Global Health Insurance for U.S. Citizens Living in Vietnam
For US citizens living in Vietnam, the GeoBlue Xplorer plan is a popular option.
Again, you will have access to medical care facilities in Vietnam and around the world, including the premier Blue Cross Blue Shield network of doctors in the USA.
BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier
- Unlimited annual and lifetime coverage
- Pre-existing conditions covered with prior insurance
- For U.S. citizens abroad or foreign nationals in the U.S.
Benefits of a Global Medical Insurance Plan
Hospital overcrowding is a huge problem in Vietnam. The majority of public hospitals, even in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, operate at overcapacity. As such, admitted patients often have to share beds. Not just hospital rooms but actual beds.
Sadly, a 2014 outbreak of measles in which 120 children died was linked to the practice of bed-sharing in an overcrowded hospital ward.
A global medical insurance plan doesn’t just cover creature comforts like nicer facilities. It ensures that your hospital accommodations are clean, comfortable, and reasonably private.
It’s horrible to be sick enough to require hospital admission without having to share a bed with an equally unwell stranger!
What You Need to Know About Public Hospital Processes in Vietnam
Like many countries, most public hospitals in Vietnam do not accept international insurance. They require payment first, usually before you are seen by the doctor, and you submit your own receipts to your insurance provider after the fact. This is also true of some private hospitals.
There’s another cash-focused practice in public hospitals that might baffle expats. Known as appreciation envelopes, this has been a long-standing practice of providing cash gifts to doctors and nurses.
While the amount in question is often small, ranging from $5 to $25, it is essentially a bribe given in the hopes of receiving better and faster care.
In general, this is a voluntary practice. A 2012 World Bank study found that 76% of those who gave envelopes did so without being asked.
However, the modest amounts in the envelopes represent a significant financial burden for patients and their families. This stress was one of the motivating factors behind a 2011 campaign among Hanoi hospitals to “Say no to envelopes”.
Expats won’t be expected to give envelopes if they are being seen at a public hospital. They won’t be expected to know about the practice. However, other hidden fees might be added to the bill.
How Routine Doctor Visits Work for Foreigners in Vietnam
There is not a strong emphasis on preventative care in Vietnam, and many people simply go to the hospital or clinic when there is an emergency.
To see an English-speaking, internationally trained doctor, expats must visit a private hospital or clinic.
How To Find a Family Physician
One strong option for expats is Hanoi’s Family Medical Practice, which also has clinics in Ho Chi Minh City and Danang. While their services may cost more than those of community clinics, they offer comprehensive care.
Their services include inpatient and outpatient care, pediatrics, physiotherapy, and wellness examinations. They also have an emergency hotline and an ambulance service.
Renewing Prescriptions in Vietnam
Foreign prescriptions are not honored in Vietnam. In order to refill your medication, you’ll have to visit a local clinic and get a local prescription.
Alternatively, you can also check with your new neighborhood pharmacy. Many medications that require a prescription in North America or Europe are available over the counter in Vietnam.
Additionally, expats can bring a large supply of prescription medication with them when they move to Vietnam, provided it’s in the original containers with the pharmacy label still attached.
It may be possible to get a year’s supply of your preferred brand from your home physician before you move, minimizing the number of times you need to worry about refills.
Top Hospitals in Vietnam Accepting International Insurance
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes from top insurers
- Get expert advice at no additional cost
- Find the right plan for your needs and budget
Joe Cronin, President of ICI, is a leading expert in international health, life, and travel insurance. An MBA and founder of multiple global businesses, he helps expatriates and travelers access trusted, comprehensive insurance solutions worldwide.
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