Healthcare in Vietnam for expats
How the healthcare system works for a foreign resident — whether you can use public care, how good it is, and what private cover actually costs. Information current as of 2026; verify current rules before relying on it.
System
Public + private mix
A public system alongside a large private sector — expats commonly choose private care for speed, English, and comfort.
Care quality
Private cover
$60–150/mo
Healthy adult, 30–45. Get a quote.
Public access for foreign residents
Under the 2024 Law on Social Insurance (effective 1 July 2025), foreign employees on a labour contract of 12 months or more must join compulsory social health insurance, giving them public-scheme access; self-employed expats and retirees without such a contract rely on private or international insurance.
Official source →What works well
Employed foreign residents can join the national social health insurance scheme, and fast-growing private and international hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (FV, Vinmec) offer solid English-speaking care.
What to watch out for
Public-hospital quality is uneven and often overcrowded with limited English, and only foreign workers with a 12-month-plus contract are covered — so most expats carry private insurance and serious cases are frequently evacuated to Bangkok or Singapore.
Healthcare eligibility, costs, and system rules change and vary by residency status, nationality, region, and age. This is directional information current as of 2026 — not medical or insurance advice. Confirm your access eligibility with the official source and get a private quote for your own situation before relying on either.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
Healthcare in Vietnam: FAQ
Can I use public healthcare in Vietnam as an expat?
Under the 2024 Law on Social Insurance (effective 1 July 2025), foreign employees on a labour contract of 12 months or more must join compulsory social health insurance, giving them public-scheme access; self-employed expats and retirees without such a contract rely on private or international insurance.
How much does private health insurance cost in Vietnam?
For a healthy adult aged 30–45, comprehensive local or international cover in Vietnam typically runs about $60–150 per month. Premiums rise with age, pre-existing conditions, and plan breadth — treat this as a starting band and get a personalised quote for your situation.
What is the healthcare quality like in Vietnam?
Vietnam's healthcare rates as "Uneven" by international measures. Employed foreign residents can join the national social health insurance scheme, and fast-growing private and international hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (FV, Vinmec) offer solid English-speaking care.
What should expats watch out for with healthcare in Vietnam?
Public-hospital quality is uneven and often overcrowded with limited English, and only foreign workers with a 12-month-plus contract are covered — so most expats carry private insurance and serious cases are frequently evacuated to Bangkok or Singapore.
What type of healthcare system does Vietnam have?
Vietnam runs a "Public + private mix" healthcare model. A public system alongside a large private sector — expats commonly choose private care for speed, English, and comfort.