What travel insurance works for long-term stays in Vietnam, and how long does coverage last?

If a T-Bank policy is purchased after the trip has started, coverage begins the next day for the premium client and only on day four for other people added to the policy. Flare-ups of pre-existing conditions are generally not insured events.

For a stay of a couple of months, a T-Bank premium package costing about RUB 3,000 per month can be an option, as it includes travel insurance.

One option is an annual family insurance policy where a single trip abroad must not exceed 90 days (vs. the more common 45-day limit), but the number of trips is unlimited. Coverage sum is $1M per insured person. It's decent overall, though dealing with the bureaucracy can be tedious.

Some insurers issue a policy valid for 1 year, but coverage is capped at 45 days per single trip. To reset coverage, you need to exit and re-enter the country (e.g., a short trip to a neighboring country and back).

If you add insurance mid-trip, coverage for the primary cardholder starts from the contract date, but for additional insured persons it only kicks in from day 4 after enrollment. Enrolling before departure avoids this delay entirely. You can't get insured at all once you're past 45 days into the trip.

Common international insurers used in Vietnam include Genki, Allianz, Cigna, AXA. The brand matters less than the specific policy terms and how responsive the assistance service is — even expensive plans can have unpleasant exclusions.

For a short trip (2 weeks to 45 days), a standard travel policy is usually sufficient. For stays lasting months or years, choose international plans like Genki or similar — make sure to check coverage for motorbike riding, hospitalization, chronic conditions, and whether you can enroll while already abroad.