Healthcare And Health Insurance For Expats In Vietnam

Overview the health insurance for expats in Vietnam

Immigrants, expats, and digital nomads are all quite fond of Vietnam. Finding a job is not too difficult, and living expenses are reasonable. With a projected GDP growth rate of 6.7% in 2015, Vietnam's economy is among the fastest-growing in the world. Vietnam's healthcare system might still use some improvement, though. 

Public facilities continue to have subpar quality despite the nation's ongoing efforts to achieve universal healthcare. The situation is improving, though, which is positive. For instance, Vietnam saw a two-year average increase in life expectancy between 2000 and 2012. Additionally, over 97% of Vietnamese children, one of the highest rates in the world, receive the recommended vaccinations, according to the World Health Organization. This information on foreigners' and expats' health insurance in Vietnam is important for those who are thinking about moving there.

Vietnam's government is working to implement a national health program. All legal residents would be required to have their basic medical needs taken care of under such a framework. One objective of the so-called Master Plan for Universal Coverage is to lower out-of-pocket expenses from the typical 80% to around 40%.

The government has mandated that local businesses get healthcare coverage for their employees, but they are currently having trouble locating the right healthcare partners. The system as a whole is, nonetheless, gradually modernizing. In order to serve as the framework for a national health data system, an electronic health record management system based on social security numbers was established in June 2019.

I. Public healthcare and private healthcare  in Vietnam

Expats are increasingly choosing to live in Vietnam. The nation provides the ideal fusion of excellent quality of life, low cost of living, and good income potential. To treat the majority of medical conditions, Vietnamese healthcare incorporates elements of Eastern and Western medicine.

An effort is being made to create a universal healthcare system. Currently, the majority of Vietnamese individuals are responsible for covering their own medical expenses at both public and private facilities. People who can afford it frequently choose to use private facilities since they are frequently better equipped and more effective.

• 1. Public healthcare in Vietnam

Vietnamese expats frequently complain that the public hospitals in their nation do not meet the same standards as those they are used to in their home countries.

In Vietnam, public hospitals are frequently understaffed and ill-equipped. These clinics often solely have Vietnamese-speaking medical professionals on staff. Additionally, lengthy waits might be a nuisance. Healthcare is far less accessible and of worse quality in rural areas, and it is virtually nonexistent in some of the country's most isolated regions.

For these reasons, it seems obvious that many locals and foreigners alike choose to get private care whenever available.

• 2. Private healthcare in Vietnam

The quality of private hospitals in Vietnam is very high and generally on par with what most foreigners are used to. Doctors and other medical experts with degrees from the USA, Korea, Japan, or France frequently work at private hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The fact that major institutions frequently send their doctors abroad for medical school further increases the likelihood that they speak fluent English and/or French.

International health insurance policies frequently provide coverage for little services received at private healthcare facilities. Researching which elective procedures are covered by their health insurance coverage is a good idea for expats because the cost of experts like dentists or dermatologists can vary greatly.Despite the fact that they are still far less expensive than what one would spend in many other nations, practices that cater to expats typically charge more than those that serve the local populace.

As a result, it is crucial for foreign nationals living in Vietnam to have comprehensive international health insurance to pay for the high expenses of private treatment.

II. Pharmacies, medication, Health hazards and Emergency services  in Vietnam

• 1. Pharmacies and Medication

Foreigners living in Vietnam may relax knowing that pharmacies are abundant in the country's larger towns and cities. They are frequently seen in malls or on commercial avenues and are typically stocked well.

It's rather simple to buy medicine over the counter, however foreigners should watch out for expired or fake medications. The pharmacies affiliated with private hospitals or clinics are often of higher quality.

• 2. Health hazards

While living abroad in Vietnam, expats can reduce the likelihood that they will encounter serious health risks by following a few simple measures.

Foreigners living in Vietnam should avoid drinking tap water in favor of bottled water. It's also advised to stay away from ice in beverages at pubs and eateries.

In Vietnam, the temperature may skyrocket. Dehydration, sunburn, and sunstroke are serious issues for newcomers to the nation. Always use high UV protection sunscreen. It is suggested that travelers start a course of malaria medicine if they want to spend a lot of time in rural Vietnam.

Before traveling to Vietnam, it is recommended to be up to date on any routine vaccines as well as Covid. The presence of a yellow fever certificate may be required of travelers from certain regions of South America and Africa.

• 3. Emergency services

Call 115 if there is a medical emergency in Vietnam. Sadly, the average response time for an ambulance is lengthy. Additionally, not all paramedics are native English speakers, and certain equipment may be subpar.

In Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, the majority of private hospitals provide speedier and more effective private ambulance services.

The health insurance for Expat

I. The local health insurance

Utilizing Vietnam's public health facilities has one key benefit. The price is far less than it would be in another country. The cost of seeing a doctor might be as little as a few dollars.

That cheap rate, though, comes with a price. Public facilities lack privacy, are overcrowded, have limited space, lack interpreters, and use antiquated diagnostic tools. Public health services are often limited and perhaps nonexistent in rural areas.

Most foreigners visit private hospitals. In addition to a significant number of doctors who speak many languages, the staff is frequently bilingual. Russian, Japanese, Korean, and French are frequently used as second or third languages. Patients may anticipate clean, pleasant treatment, decent communication, high-quality diagnostic procedures, and an acceptable degree of privacy, even if American private hospitals are not as opulent as those in other countries.

II. Can foreigners participate in life insurance?

Life insurance is a popular choice due to its numerous useful advantages. This is regarded as a reliable financial safety net against a variety of unforeseen dangers in life as well as an accumulation to achieve present objectives or have a pleasant life in old age.

Along with Vietnamese participants, quite a few foreigners are now interested in owning a life insurance policy. Can foreigners purchase life insurance, though?

Experts claim that foreigners living in Vietnam can still get life insurance from Vietnamese insurance companies or use cross-border guarantee services. However, compared to Vietnamese citizens, there will be certain variances in the methods, terms, and circumstances of insurance participation for foreigners. For instance, compared to Vietnamese clients, the foreigners' insurance time will be shorter.

What You Should Know Before Considering Insurance?

I. Health insurance in Vietnam

Vietnam's government health insurance program is still being developed, thus those who can afford it typically obtain private health insurance. The best course of action for expats is to get an international health insurance plan before traveling to the nation.

In order to be sure that their operations will be completely covered, expats are encouraged to verify with hospitals and insurance providers whenever feasible. An insurance that covers medical evacuation and treatment outside of Vietnam is another choice expats should make.

II. What should I pay attention to when buying insurance for foreigners?

Vietnam has a significant separation between rural and urban areas. Rural Vietnam has little access to healthcare facilities, and those that do exist there are quite subpar. Patients who can afford to do so travel into the city to the better public hospitals there as a result. As a result, the already overcrowded and overloaded hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are significantly worse. 

Currently, an expat living in Vietnam cannot enroll in any state health insurance program. In the near future, perhaps, this will change.

To be eligible for a work visa or residency, expats are not obliged to obtain international health insurance. To be eligible for a work permit, however, foreigners must be in good health. As a result, foreign nationals are required to get a medical certificate that is good for a year. This Vietnamese law company provides a helpful article that may be used to learn more about this practice, which hospitals and clinics offer certifications, and what you can anticipate from them.

Foreigners can swiftly and easily join in life insurance by saving some of the following notes:

- Documentation demonstrating their legal presence in Vietnam for a period of at least six months.

- If a US citizen wants to engage in life insurance in Vietnam, they must submit a FATCA statement.

- Participants' insurance ages range from 0 to 65 as long as they are in good health.

Each life insurance product will also have its own terms, rules, and advantages. It is essential to thoroughly review the product or seek guidance from each insurance company's hotline to determine whether the product is intended for foreigners or is appropriate for your personal needs.

With several insurance companies participating, the life insurance industry in Vietnam is now quite active. Customers have numerous options thanks to this diversity, but occasionally it also leaves many individuals unsure about which firm to join for life insurance.

Experts advise picking a well-known insurance business with a long history of formation, solid financial capacity, and well-known insurance firms in order to obtain prompt help and minimize hazards when engaging in life insurance.