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While not mandatory, it’s highly recommended to buy Vietnam travel insurance for your trip to cover health issues and other possibly unexpected accidents, which can stop you from enjoying your vacation and even put you in a vulnerable situation. In this blog, you will find the key reasons to have Vietnam Travel Insurance and also, 8 best suggestions for travel insurance plans.
3 main reasons you need Vietnam travel insurance
Cover specific local risks
While Vietnam is a safe and friendly country to visit, there are still some specific local risks as in other countries out there. Traffic accidents, food allergies, and loss of assets should be covered by specialized insurance plans to reduce your loss during your travel. To understand the real-life traffic in Vietnam, you can read this interesting blog, “Vietnam Travel Guide: The Reality of Traffic”
No free medical treatment
The most important reason to buy travel insurance is the fact that in Vietnam, there is no free medical treatment for foreigners. If you require medical care and do not have insurance, the cost can be high for your financial budget for this trip.
Local regulations in Vietnamese hospitals usually require foreigners to pay cash immediately for medical assistance, and your embassies and consulates are unable to pay or assist you in urgent circumstances.
If your medical requirement is complicated, it is essential to go to a big or central medical center or hospital to solve severe cases. The cost can rise higher than expected. Furthermore, if you want to come back to your home country or move to another country to get medical support, you may need a dedicated aircraft and medical attendance, which would be financially devastating.
Prepare for travel disruption
Because of global climate change, a monsoon climate country like Vietnam is heavily affected. As a result, you may prepare for travel disruptions such as flight delays, cancellations and other interruptions caused by unforeseen events like natural disasters (typhoons or floods) to protect yourself against financial losses.
In short, as the saying goes, “Better safe than sorry”, while some may consider it an unnecessary extra fee for your trip, travellers should have ultimate protection from Vietnam travel insurance to face the unpredictable nature of international travel. Furthermore, you can find out 30 Top Dos and Don’ts in Vietnam to avoid making mistakes during your journey.
What are the best Vietnam travel insurance options?
There are many Vietnam travel insurance options that you can consider before arrival. Just have a comprehensive look with Jackfruit Adventure to see the differences between them that can fit with your situation.
MSIG TravelEasy
MSIG is mentioned as a popular travel insurance for foreigners during Vietnam trips in many travel communities. It covers most of the essential aspects for travellers. The fee is very economical and affordable, especially when you travel in a big group.
- Fee: 160,000 – 320,000/pax (for individual). (~ USD 6-12/pax)
- Maximum Medical expense cover: Up to 3 billion VND (~ USD 115,000)
The MSIG TravelEasy product protects travellers against common disruptions such as lost documents, flight delays, missing transit flights and luggage loss. A standout feature of MSIG is its utilization of digital tools, which allows customers to obtain a policy “within minutes”, even as late as a few hours before their travel begins.
Furthermore, MSIG provides 24/7 worldwide assistance, ensuring travelers have access to professional help regardless of their location. Its fees are competitive and modest, and the brand offers specific incentives and perks for those who purchase family packages.
Chubb Insurance
Different from MSIG, Chubb Insurance is famous for its coverage value. Chubb is a trusted international insurance company, therefore, many people suggest this Vietnam travel insurance to foreigners when travelling to Vietnam.
- Fee: Vary based on destination, trip duration, traveller age, and plan type
- Maximum Medical expense cover: USD 15,000 – 200,000+, depending on the plan.
Their Chubb Worldwide Travel Protection Plan is well known for comprehensive travel coverage up to VND 2 billion (nearly USD 76,000) for foreign nationals visiting or living in Vietnam, including 24/7 support. Chubb Insurance remains a top-tier Vietnam Travel Insurance for travellers seeking long-standing experience and a wide global network for both one-time and annual international trips.
World Nomads
Sharing the podium with global heavyweights Chubb and MSIG, World Nomads dominates the adventure and sports niche. It is widely praised for being budget-friendly while still delivering heavyweight medical coverage for high-risk activities, making it the go-to choice for adrenaline junkies and active explorers.
- Fee: Depending on your home country and the length of stay in Vietnam
- Maximum Emergency Overseas Medical Insurance: USD 5 Million
World Nomads’s Vietnam Travel Insurance is one of the most staple recommendations in Vietnam travel forums for Vietnam travel insurance. With this Vietnam travel insurance, you can register to join some challenging motor trips, such as Ha Giang Loop, scuba diving in many beautiful beaches in Vietnam and so on.
Luma Health
In the landscape of travel insurance for Vietnam, Luma Health is recognized as one of the four best agencies, distinguished by its ability to practice international standards while maintaining deep local knowledge. Luma Health’s Vietnam Travel Insurance differentiates itself from other international brands by specifically addressing hazards common to travellers in Southeast Asia.
- Fee: USD 50 – 237
- Emergency medical expenses benefits: Up to USD 400,000
While many general international policies may have exclusions for certain activities, Luma’s Vietnam Travel Insurance is explicitly noted for covering motorbike accidents and food poisoning. This focus on local realities makes it a preferred choice for backpackers and explorers who intend to ride motorcycles. Luma Health offer an easy-to-use website for you to choose the best option of Vietnam travel insurance.
Luma Health Travel insurance focuses on local realities, making it a preferred choice for backpackers and explorers who intend to ride motorcycles. Ultimately, Luma Health is presented as an accessible and reliable international brand that prioritizes the specific medical and logistical risks – such as motorcycle safety – that foreign travellers are most likely to encounter in the Vietnamese environment.
AIG Travel Guard
Same as Luma Health Vietnam Travel Insurance, AIG Travel Guard is mentioned by many expats who have many travelling experiences in Vietnam because of its coverage value. It clearly breaks down medical and personal coverage, and easy for foreigners to communicate if there is any issues.
- Fee: Depending on your home country and the length of stay in Vietnam
- Medical cost coverage up to VND 2.1 billion (~ USD 80,000) and personal accident coverage reaching VND 6.3 billion. (~USD 240,000)
Within the landscape of travel insurance in Vietnam, AIG Travel Guard is noted for its high benefit limits and unique support features tailored for the local market. AIG’s offering is designed to assist travelers during unpredictable moments such as lost luggage, illness, or flight delays. Beyond standard medical care, the policy includes protection against natural disasters and terrorism.
Tin Leg
- Fee: USD 28-160/pax
- Medical cost coverage: USD 500,000 for Emergency Medical and USD 500,000 for Medical Evacuation
Tin Leg Gold allows travellers to add Adventure Sports coverage. This is highly recommended for common Vietnam activities like motorbiking the Hai Van Pass or trekking through rice terraces, which are often excluded from basic policies. Because rural areas like Sapa or the Ha Giang Loop are far from high-quality care, the high evacuation and medical limits of Tin Leg Gold are highlighted as a significant advantage for “off-the-beaten-path” travellers
Tin Leg Gold offers USD 500,000 in Emergency Medical coverage. The plan is noted for its 24-hour Emergency Assistance services, which are critical in Vietnam because local private hospitals often require upfront payment and do not accept U.S. health insurance. The plan provides standard high-tier cancellation protection, reimbursing 100% for cancellations and 150% for interruptions due to covered reasons like severe weather (typhoons) or illness.
IMG iTravelInsured Choice
- Fee: USD 88,2/pax
- Medical cost coverage: USD 100,000 for Emergency Medical and USD 500,000 for Medical Evacuation
IMG iTravelInsured Choice offers USD 500,000 for Emergency Medical Evacuation, which is necessary for travellers visiting remote areas like Sapa or the Ha Giang Loop, where high-quality care is hours away.
A unique feature of this plan is the USD 100,000 in Non-Medical Evacuation coverage. This protects travellers if they are affected due to natural disasters common in Vietnam, such as flooding or landslides during the monsoon season.
Travel Insured International FlexiPAX
Less known than AIG Travel Guard and World Nomands, FlexiPAX by Squaremouth is one of the ideal Vietnam travel insurance choices for travellers with significant prepaid, non-refundable expenses. It protects up to USD 100,000 in prepaid travel expenses if a trip is cancelled due to covered reasons such as injury, illness, or terrorism.
- Fee: USD 27 – 113
- Medical cost coverage: Provides USD 100,000 for Emergency Medical and USD 500,000 for Medical Evacuation
Like the other top plans, it offers 100% reimbursement for trip cancellations and 150% for trip interruptions. It is uniquely identified as a top choice for families because it provides complementary coverage for children under the age of 18, offering substantial savings for those travelling with minors.
Prioritize safety with Jackfruit Adventure
While travel offers incredible rewards, it also presents unique challenges that require careful preparation. Securing comprehensive Vietnam travel insurance is a vital step before arriving in Vietnam.
At Jackfruit Adventure, our expert team is dedicated to drafting authentic experiences that showcase the best of our region, with a primary focus on safety through meticulous planning. If you are navigating the complexities of planning your trip, let us handle the details for you.
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