Health Insurance in Vietnam: How to Protect Your Family?

Moving to Vietnam with your family is a rewarding experience, but it also comes with healthcare challenges. Vietnam’s healthcare system is still developing, and accessing high-quality medical care—especially outside major cities—can be complicated for expatriates. Ensuring proper health insurance coverage is essential to guarantee financial security and access to the best medical facilities.

To ensure the best medical care for your loved ones, it is essential to have an international health insurance plan tailored to your needs.

As trusted experts in expat health insurance in Asia and official CFE representative, Alea provides all the essential information you need.

1. Understanding the Healthcare System in Vietnam

Vietnam’s healthcare system consists of public and private hospitals:

• Public hospitals – More affordable but often lack modern infrastructure. Long waiting times and inconsistent quality of care can be an issue. Additionally, language barriers may complicate communication.
• Private hospitals & international clinics – Primarily located in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, these facilities offer higher quality care, often with internationally trained medical staff. However, costs can be extremely high, especially for specialized treatments and emergencies.

💡 Important: Without expat health insurance, a single hospitalization in a private hospital can lead to significant medical expenses.

Examples of Medical Costs in Vietnam

• Emergency hospitalization in a private hospital → Several thousand euros
• Childbirth in a private hospital → High costs, often requiring maternity coverage

A comprehensive health insurance plan is essential to avoid financial risks.

2. Why Do You Need Health Insurance for Your Family in Vietnam?

If you’re moving to Vietnam with children, ensuring they receive the best medical care is a top priority:

• Pediatric consultations & vaccinations – Vietnam’s vaccination schedule differs from France, and some international-quality vaccines are only available in private clinics.
• Dental & vision care – These services are not covered by the CFE and can be expensive in high-end medical facilities.
• Hospitalization & emergency care – The best hospitals in Vietnam are private, and specialized consultations, surgeries, and hospital stays can be costly.
• Maternity & childbirth – Expat families often choose international private clinics for prenatal care and delivery, but these services come at a high price.

3. How to Choose the Best Health Insurance for Your Family?

There are several health insurance options for expatriates. Choosing the right plan requires careful comparison:

• Caisse des Français de l’Étranger (CFE): Maintains link to the French healthcare system and offers partial reimbursements but does not fully cover private care in Vietnam
• International Health Insurance: Covers private hospital care & medical evacuation but has higher premiums than CFE alone

💡 Tip: Combining CFE with a top-up plan ensures comprehensive protection at a reasonable price.

Check out our full guide on choosing the best expat health insurance in Vietnam here!

4. How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Vietnam?

The price of expat health insurance depends on:

• Age & health status of family members.
• Coverage level (hospitalization-only vs. full coverage).
• Maternity benefits (for families planning to have children).

The estimated cost of international health insurance in Vietnam is around 1,500 – 7,000 Euros per year for a family, depending on the selected coverage.

5. Our Recommendations for Optimal Protection

• Get insured before moving – Avoid gaps in coverage.
• Choose a plan with a strong hospital network – Ensure easy access to top medical facilities in Vietnam.
• Check exclusions & waiting periods – Some treatments may not be covered immediately.
• Customize coverage based on your family’s needs – Ensure maternity and pediatric care are included if required.

As a leading insurance broker for expats and official CFE partner in Vietnam, Alea assists the French and expat community in finding the best health insurance solutions.

With Vietnam's complex healthcare system and the high cost of private care, we compare top-tier health insurers—including APRIL, Henner, and MSH—to secure the best coverage at the best price for you and your family!