Guides

Guides for Expats on Healthcare in Vietnam

These guides explain how healthcare works in Vietnam for people who live here or plan to. They cover who to call, how insurance fits together, how to buy and bring medicine, and what health agencies say. Our editorial team writes each one from official and public sources, listed on the page.

Emergencies and the health system

Healthcare in Vietnam: An Expat Guide to the Health System

How public, private and embassy listed care fit together, and who pays.

Dengue Fever Vietnam: Seasons, Cases and Testing Since 2015

Cases by year, when the season peaks, warning signs and testing.

Insurance

Social Insurance Vietnam: Rules for Foreign Employees

Who must join, what comes off your pay, and how to check your record.

Travel Insurance Vietnam: Is It Required and What It Covers

Is it needed to enter, what it should cover, and when it stops.

Medicines, vaccines and paperwork

Bringing Medication to Vietnam: Prescription Rules

The 7 and 10 day limits, what to declare, and the papers to carry.

Vaccines for Vietnam: Travel Health Guide for Expats

What the CDC lists, and what changes when you live here.

Medical Certificate Vietnam: Work Permit Health Check Guide

The work permit health check: rules, tests and the order of steps.

Recent guides

Gym Membership Contract Vietnam: Checks Before Paying

4 November 2025 · Gym membership contract Vietnam checklist: plain language, auto-renewal, price changes, cancellation terms and proof of payment under the consumer law.

Typhoon Season Vietnam: Preparedness Checklist

4 October 2025 · Typhoon season Vietnam checklist for expats: when storms hit, what to pack, which papers to copy, and where to find official warnings before a storm.

Eye Test in Vietnam: Opticians, Glasses and Lenses

11 September 2025 · Eye test in Vietnam: where hospital eye departments offer exams, what a test covers, how a glasses prescription comes out, and what to bring.

Hospital Invoice Vietnam: Paying and Claiming Costs

25 August 2025 · Hospital invoice Vietnam checklist: what to ask for at the cashier, what an e-invoice shows, and which papers insurers usually want for a claim.

Medical Records in Vietnam: How to Request Copies

19 July 2025 · Medical records in Vietnam: what the 2023 law says about your right to read, copy and get a summary of your file, and what to prepare before you leave.

Hospital Classes in Vietnam: Special, 1, 2 and 3

6 June 2025 · Hospital classes in Vietnam explained: the four Ministry of Health ranks, how a score sets the class, and what a class does and does not tell you.

Medical Interpreter in Vietnam: Getting Language Help

20 May 2025 · Medical interpreter in Vietnam: how to get language help at clinics, from English-speaking staff to hospital interpreters, plus a simple plan for your visit.

Motorbike Helmet Fines Vietnam: Rules and Standards

26 April 2025 · Motorbike helmet fines Vietnam: 400,000 to 600,000 dong per person under Decree 168 from 1 January 2025, who is exempt, and what a compliant helmet is.

Health check packages Vietnam: what they include

7 March 2025 · Health check packages Vietnam hospitals sell come in tiers. See what basic, standard and executive checkups cover and what to ask before you book.

Air Quality Index Vietnam: How to Read the AQI

11 February 2025 · Air quality index Vietnam explained: the six AQI bands, how Vietnam's scale differs from the US one, and where to check Hanoi and HCMC readings.

Tet holiday healthcare Vietnam: what clinics stay open

16 January 2025 · Tet holiday healthcare Vietnam: the 2025 break runs 25 January to 2 February. Emergency rooms stay on duty, other clinics may close. Plan ahead with this guide.

These guides are general education, not medical, legal or financial advice. Ask a doctor, a lawyer or your insurer about your own case.