Healthcare Tips for Vietnam

This content is provided by Cmego

Taking care of yourself while traveling is a top priority. There are many hidden threats to your health, be it big or small. And when you are in a different place, sometimes the health care systems are so different it’s uncomfortable. But I am here to tell you everything there is to know about healthcare in Vietnam so you’ll feel safe, healthy, and ready to adventure when you land.

Insurance

In contrast to many countries where proof of travel insurance is imperative for visa obtainment, the Vietnam visa does not require it. However, even if you are fit and healthy, it is never a good idea to travel without health insurance. Accidents do happen and the environment in Vietnam could be very different from what you are accustomed to, hence your body may not be able to adapt quickly. 

Another reason insurance is a must for travelers is that the Vietnamese get what they pay for, there is no universal healthcare. Public hospitals are cheaper but the quality is substandard while private facilities are excellent but tend to be very expensive. Given the prices of treatments and consultations in these hospitals, it’s a good idea to have health insurance.

Some insurance plans might not cover ‘dangerous activities’ such as riding motorbikes, diving, hiking, and trekking, so be sure to check yours before you leave. Motorbikes account for most of the traffic in Vietnam, and the country’s vast and various natural landscapes do offer irresistible activities. While you may not intend to experience any of them, you might change your mind once you arrive in Vietnam. A health plan that covers these activities would be handy.

Individual or comprehensive, your travel insurance plan could cover everything from medical treatment, trip cancellation, theft or loss of property, to covering just one thing that you feel most insecure about. 

Hospitals

Vinmec hospital

Public hospitals in Vietnam are known to have quality service yet not up-to-date equipment on par with international standards, as they are generally underfunded and poorly equipped. They are also faced with overcrowding and English is also not commonly spoken, which means a lot of waiting, inattentive doctors and nurses, and a great deal miscommunication. They also do not accept all international health insurance.

FV hospital

On the other hand, private hospitals offer excellent standards, especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. They are staffed with American, Korean, Japanese, French, Filipino, as well as Vietnamese doctors who have been trained overseas. These hospitals are better equipped and less likely to suffer overcrowding, thus they are able to cater to the needs of foreign travelers better than public hospitals which have a lower quality due to less funding.

However, private international hospitals have the disadvantage of being located merely in the big cities of Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, which means if you venture to other areas of the country and unfortunately are in need of serious medical treatment, long distance becomes a burden.

The quality and availability of health services vary dramatically between urban or rural areas, with Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City having the best medical facilities. Healthcare in rural areas can be from poor to non-existent.