Travel Insurance to Vietnam

Vietnam does not officially require travelers to have travel insurance. However, having adequate travel insurance coverage can provide peace of mind and financial protection in case of emergencies while you’re visiting Vietnam.

No, travel insurance is not mandatory for entering Vietnam. 

Before 2022, Vietnam required visitors to have travel medical insurance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This insurance had to cover you for at least $10,000 in medical fees. 

However, it is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance for your trip to Vietnam as it can protect you against unforeseen medical and travel expenses.

To stay up to date, check out our Vietnam Travel Restrictions and Updates

It’s best to buy travel insurance as soon as you make your reservations for your trip to Vietnam. This means you’ll be covered for trip cancelations.

Read your policy to understand waiting periods that may apply to specific benefits. For LUMA Asia Pass, we allow purchases no later than the start date of the policy and before arrival in Vietnam.

The cost of travel insurance for Vietnam varies depending on factors such as:

• The duration of your trip
• The level of coverage you choose
• The number of travelers covered by the policy
• Where you depart from

Here are some tips for choosing travel insurance for Vietnam:

🔍 Avoid cheap plans with limited coverage.
🔍 Find a policy that aligns with your planned trip and activities.
🔍 Read the small prints.
🔍 Check if there are any waiting periods.
🔍 Check what medical conditions are covered—travel insurance typically doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions.
🔍 Check how to get in touch with your insurer in case of emergencies.
🔍 Check how to claim.

To learn more, read our guide on the cost of Vietnam travel insurance.

Yes, Vietnamese Citizens can buy LUMA Asia Pass if their country of residence is outside Vietnam and they purchase the policy prior to entering Vietnam. 

Yes, LUMA Asia Pass covers accidents while riding or as a passenger on a motorbike (subject to the terms of the policy).

This coverage is important because motorbikes are a popular form of transport in Vietnam.

However, driving in Vietnam is very dangerous. Motorbike accidents are the leading cause of death among foreign nationals in Vietnam.

According to officials from Ho Chi Minh City, foreigners are involved in around 500 traffic accidents per year in Vietnam.

If your trip to Vietnam is canceled for a covered reason—such as illness, injury, or severe weather—trip cancelation insurance can reimburse you for nonrefundable expenses like flights and accommodations.

However, some circumstances, such as preexisting conditions or foreseeable events like booking trips during hurricane season, may not be covered.

The emergency medical number in Vietnam is 115. However, the standard of healthcare in Vietnam is not on par with most developed countries.

A better option may be to have a foreign-managed private clinic’s emergency number on hand.

It is not unusual for people with serious conditions to be evacuated to Bangkok, Singapore, or even back to their home countries.

Read our guide about What to do in case of emergency in Vietnam to find emergency numbers for hospitals in key cities.

LUMA has a global presence. Our headquarters is in Bangkok (Thailand). We also have offices in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Bordeaux (France), Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and Yangon (Myanmar). 

Our travel insurance is underwritten by Baolong and assistance for evacuation and repatriation is provided by Europ Assistance. 

Read our latest news about Travel Requirements to Vietnam.

At the time of writing, there are no restrictions on entering Vietnam.

However, if you plan to take cash out of the country, then you must declare any Vietnamese Dong with a value of more than VND 15,000,000 (around USD 5,000).

Depending on your nationality, some travelers might need a visa to enter the country.
For some nationalities, a visa can be issued upon arrival at the airport. It’s essential to check the visa requirements based on your nationality before traveling to Vietnam.

U.S. or Australian citizens should apply for an e-visa before traveling to the country.
There are two visas available:

• Single entry: This is valid for a single entry into Vietnam and is valid for 30 days. It costs $25.
• Multiple entry: This allows you to travel freely to and from Vietnam for 90 days. It costs $50.

These visas usually take 3-7 days to process. However, you can apply for faster processing—some are available within 2 hours. You will be emailed a code which you can print out and take with you.

U.S. citizens can apply for a Vietnam visa upon arrival if they have traveled through several countries before arriving in Vietnam or have traveled from a country without a Vietnamese embassy.

Citizens of the following countries can stay in Vietnam without a visa for limited periods:

14 days

• Brunei
• Myanmar

15 days

• Japan
• South Korea
• Belarus
• Denmark
• Italy
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Norway
• Russia
• Spain
• Sweden
• The United Kingdom

21 days

• The Philippines

30 days

• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• Thailand

Vietnam’s currency is the Dong (VND). At the time of writing, one U.S. dollar is worth VND 25,380.

While many Vietnamese businesses accept U.S. dollars, the exchange rate is rarely accurate and you’d probably be overcharged. We therefore recommend paying for things in VND.

Credit cards are not widely accepted so you should always carry cash. However, carrying all your currency or large sums is not advisable due to high levels of theft.

You can get the best deals by exchanging USD for VND before your trip. It is possible to exchange currencies in Vietnam—for example, at a hotel, airport, or ATM—however, the exchange rate will not be as favorable.

Buses in Vietnam are a reliable and comfortable way to travel around and between cities, while taxis are a good option for traveling short distances. We recommend using apps like Grab to avoid scams and unlicensed taxis.

Driving yourself in Vietnam is not recommended as the roads are chaotic and accidents are common.

Vietnam is generally considered to be a safe country. However, there are a few things to be aware of:

Crime

Vietnam has high levels of petty crime such as pickpocketing and theft.

Tourists are often targeted and it is recommended that you stay vigilant at all times and hold on tight to bags, wallets, purses, cameras, and cell phones.

If you are faced with thieves, do not try to resist. Report the incident to local police.

Health and safety

The country has lower safety standards than you would expect in the U.S.. Tourism companies and activities are unregulated and safety inspections on facilities and equipment are uncommon.

Travel

The country’s roads are often dangerous—traffic accidents are the leading cause of death in Vietnam. Drivers are undisciplined and road conditions are poor.

Motorbike accidents are the leading cause of death among foreign tourists in Vietnam. The U.S. government discourages its citizens from hiring motorbikes when visiting the country. It’s important to note that U.S. driving licenses are not valid in Vietnam.

Read the U.S. Department of State’s website for more information on staying safe when visiting Vietnam.