Do I need travel insurance in Vietnam and how much does it cost?
From messages by 3 participants in 3 sources · Last activity: 80 days ago
From messages by 3 participants in 3 sources · Last activity: 80 days ago
TL;DR
Travel insurance is strongly recommended in Vietnam, especially coverage for surgery and gastrointestinal illness. Surgery in neighboring Thailand runs $2,500–3,000; Vietnam is generally cheaper.
Based on personal experience, overall medical quality isn't impressive, but even non-expensive hospitals have decent CT/MRI equipment. A regular consultation costs 300,000–500,000 VND (about $12–20). However, if you need hospitalization or surgery, insurance can actually come in handy.
A traveler was looking for clinics in Vietnam for abscess removal surgery, as the same procedure in Thailand costs $2,500–3,000 for a day stay. Vietnam is considered a more affordable alternative for surgical procedures.
Gastrointestinal illness is one of the most common health issues for travelers in Vietnam. It's worth checking your insurance policy specifically covers stomach and intestinal infections before you go.
Travelers asked about the cost of a decent insurance policy that covers both treatment and surgery. It's advisable to choose a policy with at least $50,000–$100,000 in medical coverage to avoid being unable to afford surgery abroad.
The necessity of travel insurance was debated in the community. Given the high cost of surgery in Southeast Asia and the prevalence of stomach issues in Vietnam, most experienced travelers consider insurance essential, not optional.