Vietnamese HI is cheap but “picky” about hospitals — for English-speaking care at international hospitals (FV, Vinmec, Raffles, Tam Anh), cashless direct billing, or evacuation cover on regional business trips, you need international/private health insurance. This article teaches you to read the policy like an insider.
HI vs international health insurance: the differences
- Network: HI pays mostly at contracted public hospitals; international insurers (Allianz, Bupa, Cigna, Pacific Cross, Bao Viet…) pay at private/international hospitals inside and outside Vietnam.
- Payment mode: HI deducts at public-hospital counters; international plans offer direct billing at network hospitals — no cash advance; off-network means collecting invoices for reclaim.
- Scope: international plans typically cover inpatient + outpatient + dental + maternity (by package) plus emergency medical evacuation home — HI has none of that.
- Cost: compulsory HI is 4.5% of salary (split employer/employee); international plans run hundreds to thousands of USD/year by age, territory and deductible.
7 points to read before signing
- 1. Territory: Vietnam only, Southeast Asia, Asia, or worldwide (excl./incl. USA)? “Worldwide ex-USA” costs far less than “worldwide incl. USA”.
- 2. Deductible: what you pay per year/visit before insurance pays — high deductible, cheap premium, but minor illnesses are yours.
- 3. Annual limits: max payout per year (e.g. VND 1B, 5B, unlimited) — plus sub-limits per category (maternity, dental).
- 4. Pre-existing conditions: illnesses predating purchase are usually excluded or wait 1–2 years — declare honestly; discovered concealment voids the policy.
- 5. Waiting periods: maternity often 12 months; some conditions 6–12 months — buy before family-planning.
- 6. Direct billing: the Vietnam direct-billing hospital list — check your usual hospital is on it.
- 7. Exclusions: extreme sports, cosmetic surgery, experimental treatment… — read so there’s no heartbreak at claim time.
FAQs
Have compulsory HI — still need international cover?
Depends: happy with public hospitals and saving money — HI suffices. Want English-speaking care, no queues, international hospitals, protection on regional trips — add an international plan. Many expats run both in parallel.
Company-bought health insurance — PIT on employees?
Non-compulsory health premiums bought by employers count as employees’ PIT-taxable income (compulsory SI/HI/UI excepted). Ask accounting how it’s computed.
Where to buy reputable international insurance?
Through licensed Vietnamese insurance brokers or directly from carriers (Allianz, Bupa, Cigna, Pacific Cross…). Verify the insurer/broker’s licence on the Ministry of Finance portal.
Contact us
FLAT Law Firm advises foreign nationals and their families on inheritance, wills, driving licences, health insurance and money transfers in Vietnam. Contact us for advice on your specific case.
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