Dr. Andres Sosa*

Most expatriates and travellers do not arrive in Việt Nam thinking about illness, accidents or surgery.

They arrive thinking about work, family, food, schools, holidays and the experience of being somewhere new.

As a surgeon, however, I often see the other side of that story, usually after something unexpected has already happened.

My view on medical insurance is therefore simple:

It is better to have it and never need it than to need it and discover you do not have it.

I am not recommending any specific insurer or policy. But living or travelling abroad without adequate medical coverage is an unnecessary risk. For expatriates and travellers, understanding the importance of medical insurance in Việt Nam is an essential part of preparing for life or a visit here.

A new environment brings new risks

Moving countries changes more than your address.

Food and eating habits change. Your intestinal microbiome encounters a different environment, while climate, air quality, allergens and respiratory exposures may also differ from those at home.

Daily routines change too.

And in Việt Nam, one of the biggest changes may be how you move around.

The motorbike factor

Việt Nam moves on two wheels.

For many expatriates, riding a motorbike or using a motorbike taxi quickly becomes part of everyday life. It is convenient and often the easiest way to get around.

But convenience does not eliminate risk.

As an orthopedic surgeon, I see what happens when a routine journey becomes a trauma: fractures, ligament injuries, dislocations, head injuries, hospitalisation and sometimes surgery.

Nobody plans for a morning commute to end in an emergency department.

That is precisely what insurance is for: the events we cannot predict.

Moving abroad does not pause your health

Not every medical need starts after arrival.

Many expatriates already have conditions requiring follow-up: hypertension, diabetes, asthma, previous injuries, chronic neck or back problems, or medication requiring regular review.

Others arrive while undergoing rehabilitation, specialist care or treatment started elsewhere.

Moving abroad should not mean abandoning that care.

Before relocating to Việt Nam, check whether your medical insurance in Việt Nam includes ongoing treatment, medications, specialist consultations and pre-existing conditions. Exclusions and waiting periods may apply.

The objective is simple: to continue living your life abroad without interrupting the care your health already requires.

Health insurance for expat families: children have their own risks

Families face another layer of uncertainty.

School accidents, playground injuries, falls, fractures and sports injuries can happen with very little warning.

When something happens to a child, parents should be thinking about their child, not whether an X-ray, hospital admission or emergency procedure will create a financial problem.

Travel insurance: read beyond the certificate

Many people travel without medical insurance unless it is required for a visa.

Others purchase a policy almost automatically before departure or even at the airport, without examining what it actually covers. 

That can create unpleasant surprises.

For visitors, choosing suitable medical insurance in Việt Nam is an important part of travel planning. 

Many travel policies operate primarily through reimbursement: the patient pays first and submits a claim later. Direct billing through an international medical network is not available with every policy.

For a minor consultation, that distinction may not matter much.

For hospitalisation, surgery or emergency treatment, it can matter considerably.

Travellers should also think about what they actually plan to do.

If your trip includes riding a motorbike through Tuyên Quang, scuba diving in Nha Trang, adventure sports or other higher-risk activities, do not assume they are automatically covered.

The policy should match the trip you are planning, not simply the destination on your ticket.

Some credit cards also include travel or medical protection. These benefits can be useful, but coverage may depend on how the trip was purchased and can include limits, exclusions and specific activation requirements.

Whatever the source of coverage, understand it before departure. 

Outpatient and inpatient needs are different

For expatriates, routine outpatient care may sometimes be covered effectively through a local or regional plan.

But substantial inpatient and emergency protection deserves particular attention.

When comparing medical insurance in Việt Nam, consider both outpatient and inpatient benefits.

Hospitalisation, surgery, intensive care, evacuation or treatment in another country can become expensive very quickly.

The important question is not which company issued the policy.

It is what happens when you actually need to use it.

Plan while everything is fine

Healthcare abroad may involve language barriers, unfamiliar administrative systems and different cultural expectations around communication and treatment.

Insurance cannot remove those differences, but it can provide more options and greater flexibility when circumstances become serious.

Emergencies do not give advance notice.

Neither road accidents, sports injuries nor acute illness ask whether this is a convenient week to become a patient.

So whether you are moving to Việt Nam, already living here or simply visiting, make medical coverage part of your planning.

Having suitable medical insurance in Việt Nam is a risk-management decision you do not need to postpone.

Hopefully, you will never need the expensive part of your policy. — Family Medical Practice

*Dr Andres Sosa, an expert in orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine, specialises in advanced meniscus repair techniques. With training in Italy, the US, Spain and Singapore, he brings world-class expertise to Hà Nội, offering personalised care for active individuals and professionals.

FMP Healthcare Group operates medical centres in major cities including HCMC, Hà Nội and Đà Nẵng, offering consultations with international doctors, check-up centres and emergency ambulance services.

Visit FMP Hanoi 24/7 at 298i Kim Mã Street, Ngọc Hà Ward, Hà Nội.

To book an appointment, please call (024).3843.0784, or contact via WhatsApp, Viber or Zalo on +84.944.43.1919 or email hanoi@vietnammedicalpractice.com.