Travel Insurance for Vietnam: What to Know

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, Vietnam welcomed over 5 lakh Indian visitors in 2024, nearly three times its 2019 numbers. India is now one of Vietnam’s biggest tourism markets.

Most of these travelers land in Vietnam on a budget trip, since it is one of the budget-friendly international destinations to visit. But that does not mean it is risk-free. A bad fall or serious illness can mean a costly medical evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore.

Travel insurance for Vietnam from India protects you when that happens. This guide covers what a Vietnam travel plan should include, whether it is mandatory for your visa, what it excludes, its cost, and how to buy one.

What Does Travel Insurance for Vietnam Cover?

01

Emergency Medical Cover

This is non-negotiable. Look for at least USD 50,000 in emergency medical cover for illness or an accident. For senior travelers, longer trips, or itineraries into remote areas, USD 100,000 or more is a safer limit.

02

Hospitalization and Medical Evacuation

Your plan must cover inpatient hospitalization, ICU costs, and outpatient treatment. Also verify that medical evacuation and repatriation are explicitly included, since routine care in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is fine for minor issues. But serious trauma or complex surgery often requires transfer to destinations with more developed healthcare systems, such as Bangkok or Singapore.

03

Trip Cancellation and Interruption

This covers non-refundable costs if your trip is cut short for covered reasons, such as illness or a family emergency. It does not cover a visa rejection, since trip cancellation applies to specified situations, and securing valid entry documents is your own responsibility.

04

Baggage Loss and Delay

A fixed compensation for lost, damaged, or delayed checked baggage, along with cover for a lost passport and the cost of getting a replacement. Check the per-item limit, not just the total, since this is usually a small sublimit compared to your medical cover.

05

Flight Delay

This benefit provides compensation for hotel or meal costs if your flight is delayed beyond a set period, generally 6 to 12 hours. This does not replace your travel insurance for prepaid hotels, tours, or medical costs.

06

Personal Liability

Covers legal costs or third-party claims if you accidentally injure someone or damage property during your trip.

07

Pre-Existing Disease (PED) Add-On

If you have a pre-existing condition like diabetes or hypertension, buy a plan with a PED add-on. Without it, any treatment linked to your existing condition will not be covered. Some plans do cover an acute onset of a pre-existing condition by default, subject to policy terms.

Important: Cashless treatment is not guaranteed at every hospital in Vietnam. Some hospitals ask for upfront payment or proof of adequate insurance before admitting a patient. Call your insurer's international assistance number before a planned hospitalization, or as soon as reasonably possible in an emergency.

Is Travel Insurance Mandatory for a Vietnam Visa?

Travel insurance is not currently required for an Indian tourist applying for a Vietnam e-visa. Vietnam's official e-visa process asks you to upload your passport data page and a photograph, and to pay the visa fee. 

Please Note: A tour operator, employer, university, or organized travel program may still ask you to show proof of insurance, even though the government does not.

How to Choose Travel Insurance for Vietnam

Recommended Coverage Benchmark

For an ordinary leisure trip, aim for at least USD 50,000 in emergency medical cover. USD 100,000 or more is preferable if you are a senior citizen, have a medical condition, or are traveling for an extended period. Medical evacuation and repatriation should be built into the plan, not treated as an afterthought you add later.

Vietnam-Specific Checks

Motorbike and Scooter Use: Motorbike accidents are a real and common travel risk in Vietnam. Riding without a legally valid license can be illegal in itself, and your insurer may reject accident-related medical claims on that basis. Make sure your policy specifically covers two-wheeler use, and follow local licensing, helmet, and alcohol rules while riding.

Dengue and Infectious Disease: Dengue is a year-round concern in Vietnam, with cases generally peaking between June and October. Insurance may cover medically necessary dengue treatment, but it does not prevent infection. Pair your policy with mosquito precautions and any recommended vaccinations.

Typhoons and Flooding: Vietnam's coastal regions face tropical storms and seasonal flooding, which can disrupt flights, road travel, and hotel stays. Check your trip cancellation and interruption benefits for covered natural disasters, minimum delay thresholds, and exclusions for events that were already known when you bought the policy.

Popular Travel Insurance Plans for Vietnam

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Check each insurer's official website or brochure for Vietnam-specific terms before buying, since coverage details can change.

What Travel Insurance for Vietnam Does Not Cover

• Routine or planned treatment, or traveling specifically to get medical care abroad.
• Pre-existing diseases, unless the policy explicitly covers life-threatening emergencies or you have bought a PED add-on.
• Injuries connected to alcohol or drug use.
• Self-inflicted injuries or attempted suicide.
• Cosmetic treatment and non-emergency dental work.
• Adventure activities you did not declare or that are excluded by the policy.
• Losses that happen while you are breaking local law.
• War, military activity, and nuclear or radioactive events.

Note: All figures in this article are approximate and vary by insurer, plan, and hospital.

Note: The premiums are calculated for the HDFC ERGO Explorer plan. The numbers are indicative and for a single-trip policy, considering the following parameters:

• Traveler Age: 30 years
• Trip Duration: 30 days
• Base Sum Insured: USD 50,000
• No optional covers, loadings, discounts, or add-ons
• Premiums are in INR and exclusive of taxes

How to Buy and Claim Travel Insurance for Vietnam

How to Buy? 

Step 1: Enter the correct destination, travel dates, ages, and number of travelers. Small errors here can affect a claim later.

Step 2: Declare medical conditions and planned activities honestly, including any scooter riding, trekking, or diving.

Step 3: Compare the policy wording, the Customer Information Sheet (CIS), deductibles, and benefit sublimits, not just the headline premium.

Step 4: Buy the policy before you leave India, ideally a few days in advance, so that cancellation benefits apply properly.

Step 5: Confirm the policy dates cover your entire trip, including transit stops and your return to India.

Step 6: Save your policy certificate and the international assistance number somewhere you can access offline.

Filing a Claim

For a Medical Emergency

• Contact your insurer immediately and ask about cashless authorization.
• Collect medical reports, bills, receipts, and the discharge summary.
• Do not assume the bill is settled directly, as some hospitals require upfront payment.

For Baggage or Passport Claims

• Get a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) from the airline, or file a police report for theft or a lost passport.
• Keep baggage tags, boarding pass, and receipts for replacement or emergency purchases.

For Flight Delay or Cancellation Claims

• Get written confirmation of the delay from the airline.
• Keep your ticket, boarding pass, and receipts for extra expenses.

Why Choose Ditto for Insurance?

At Ditto, we’ve assisted over 8,00,000 customers with choosing the right insurance policy. Why customers like Pallavi below love us:

• No-Spam & No Salesmen
• Rated 4.9/5 on Google Reviews by 30,000+ happy customers
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• Dedicated Claim Support Team
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Confused about the right insurance? Speak to Ditto’s certified advisors for free, unbiased guidance. Book your call or chat with us on WhatsApp now!

Conclusion

Vietnam is an affordable trip destination with one expensive blind spot: what happens if something goes seriously wrong. Travel insurance covers emergency medical costs, evacuation, repatriation, trip cancellation, and baggage or passport loss. It does not replace your health insurance back home, your term life cover, or care for planned or chronic conditions.

Ditto's Take: Buy travel insurance if you are traveling internationally. Compare the medical cover, sublimits, exclusions, and PED terms before buying, not just the premium.

Note: Ditto does not currently help with standalone travel insurance. What we do help with is health insurance and term life insurance, the two products that form the real foundation of your financial protection. You can read our guides on the best health insurance plans in India or the best term insurance plans in India.