What health insurance should I get for a long-term stay in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam?

Complimentary insurance attached to bank cards usually limits each trip to 30–45 days, so it generally is not suitable for living abroad for several months.

A family traveling with a 1.5-year-old child, planning to stay in Vietnam until December (3 months) with a possible extension into January, was looking for an annual policy suited for long-term stays with a young child.

Popular international insurers mentioned include Genki, Allianz, Cigna, and AXA — but the brand matters less than the specific policy terms and how well the local assistance service actually works.

For short trips (2 weeks to 45 days), a standard travel insurance from a home-country insurer or bank card is usually sufficient. If you plan to live in Vietnam for months or years, it's worth considering international plans like Genki instead.

When choosing a long-term policy, check whether it covers motorbike/scooter accidents, hospitalization, and chronic conditions, and whether you can purchase it while already abroad.

One traveler was looking for a 3-month policy that covers not just emergencies but also routine/planned doctor visits.