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Mutual insurance and healthcare in Vietnam: what you need to know

When you decide to move to Vietnam as a French expatriate, it’s important to understand the local healthcare system. This will enable you to be well-prepared, but also to choose the health cover best suited to your needs. Public hospitals in Vietnam are open to all permanent residents, including expatriates. However, the latter often prefer private establishments, which guarantee better quality care and services better adapted to their needs. Subscribing to a specific Vietnam mutual insurance or international health insurance is essential to ensure that your medical expenses are covered. This will enable you to live your expatriation with peace of mind, with access to quality care in the event of a health problem.

The healthcare system in Vietnam: public vs. private

Vietnam’s public healthcare system is centralized and placed under the direction of the Ministry of Health. Its management is then delegated to local, provincial and municipal health authorities. While public hospitals remain affordable, they often face major challenges: overcrowded wards, equipment that is sometimes outdated and hygiene conditions that are not always optimal. For expatriates, the language barrier can also pose a problem, as most medical staff speak only Vietnamese, complicating medical exchanges.

In major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, private healthcare networks have expanded to meet growing demand and compensate for the limitations of the public sector. These private establishments stand out for their superior quality of care, modern equipment and medical staff who are often trained abroad. As a result, you can interact with staff fluent in English and sometimes even French. This excellence comes at a price, making it essential to take out international health insurance to benefit from it without breaking the bank.

Health insurance in Vietnam for expatriates

Membership of Vietnamese Social Security (VSS) is compulsory for all employees with a permanent employment contract or a contract of more than three months’ duration. However, this coverage remains partial and only reimburses a portion of medical expenses. Reimbursement of medical expenses in private clinics and hospitals by the VSS is very low, if not non-existent.

Options for expatriates

Expatriates have several options for health coverage in Vietnam.

• Local private health insurance: Some local companies offer health insurance designed for residents. These policies have certain drawbacks. For example, they offer limited coverage and low reimbursement ceilings. What’s more, they won’t cover you outside Vietnam.
• International health insurance: These policies offer extensive coverage, ideal for the needs of expatriates. They include practical services such as medical teleconsultation, repatriation and multi-country coverage. They are ideal for expatriates looking for a comprehensive, flexible solution.
• Caisse des Français de l’Étranger (CFE): For French expatriates, CFE offers the advantage of maintaining coverage equivalent to that of French Social Security. However, for optimum protection, particularly for access to private healthcare in Vietnam, it is strongly recommended to complement it with an international health mutual.

Why take out private health insurance in Vietnam?

Taking out private health insurance in Vietnam offers several advantages for French expatriates.

• Access to quality care: With private insurance, it is possible to receive treatment in private hospitals. These hospitals not only offer better quality care, but also shorter waiting times, which is a valuable asset in case of urgent need.
• Covering high costs: Private-sector care in Vietnam can quickly become expensive. For example, a single day’s hospitalization for a non-life-threatening emergency can cost up to 24,000,000 VND, an amount that is difficult to afford without appropriate coverage.
• Repatriation : If necessary, international insurance can cover the cost of repatriation to a country with a better medical infrastructure.

Health insurance for Vietnam

Moving to Vietnam represents a real challenge for any expatriate, making good preparation essential. Using a comparator like Santexpat.fr to evaluate health insurance offers will simplify the process and give you peace of mind. While the public sector offers basic care, its limitations in terms of quality and accessibility prompt many French expatriates to opt for international health insurance. This option will give you access to top-quality healthcare services and the peace of mind you need to make the most of your new adventure in Vietnam.