Vietnam travel insurance

From the emerald waters of Halong Bay to the ancient lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia's most rewarding destinations. It’s a country that spans dramatic landscapes, centuries of history and extraordinary food, often all within the same day’s journey. Whether you’re looking to explore as much of the country as possible or stick in one place, good travel insurance can help you keep your mind on your trip, not on the worries of what could go wrong.

Places to go and things to do in Vietnam

Halong Bay

Few landscapes anywhere in the world match Halong Bay’s drama. Nearly 2,000 limestone karsts rise from calm green water across a stretch of 1,500 square kilometres, many covered in jungle and hiding sea caves within. You can rent kayaks and stop off at a beach you like the look of, without having to be part of a group tour. It can feel like exploring a still unspoiled world. Some islands enable you to rent bikes, allowing you to take in more of the lush vegetation and powerful scenery. If this doesn’t take your breath away, not much will.

Hanoi

Vietnam’s capital is a city of layers. Crumbling French colonial architecture alongside ancient pagodas. Tree-lined boulevards beside chaotic Old Quarter alleyways where streets still bear the names of the trades that once defined them. It manages to somehow be manic and peaceful at the same time. A visit to the water puppet theatre is a great way to see an ancient artform not found in the West, combining music, puppetry and storytelling.

Hoi An

Hoi An is home to the best-preserved ancient town in Vietnam, with so much of the country destroyed in the war with the US. It’s a place of yellow-walled merchant houses, wooden shopfronts and, at night, hundreds of silk lanterns reflected in the Thu Bon River. There’s no shortage of things to do, like fishing and cooking classes. You can also pick yourself up a new outfit, as Hoi An is famous for its tailors. High quality clothes can be made to measure in 24 hours, at a fraction of what you’d pay at home.

Hue

Vietnam’s former imperial capital sits on the Perfume River in central Vietnam and rewards slower travel. The Imperial Citadel, modelled partly on Beijing’s Forbidden City, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the royal tombs spread across the surrounding countryside are some of the most atmospheric sites in the country.

Sapa and the northern highlands

The mountainous northwest, close to the Chinese border, is home to some of Vietnam’s most spectacular trekking. The terraced rice paddies around Sapa, best seen during the harvest in September and October when they turn gold, are justifiably famous. Hill tribe communities offer homestay experiences that offer unique perspectives on Vietnam. You don’t need to worry if you don’t have a trekking tour booked, plenty of local residents will offer to show you around the mountains for a fee.

Phong Nha and Son Doong Cave

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in central Vietnam contains some of the most extraordinary cave systems on earth. Son Doong, the world’s largest cave, has its own weather system and sections of jungle inside it. Even the more accessible caves at Tu Lan and Phong Nha town are spectacular.

Ho Chi Minh City

Still known as Saigon to most of its residents, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s engine room: fast, loud, relentlessly energetic and fascinating. The War Remnants Museum is a sobering but essential stop, while the Ben Thanh market and Bui Vien are popular for food tours. Depending on the tour you could expect to enjoy 8-12 dishes, including favourites such as pho, banh mi and com tam.

Ninh Binh

Often called ‘Halong Bay on land’, Ninh Binh offers the same dramatic limestone karst scenery without the crowds or the boat trips. Cycling or rowing through the flooded rice fields and temples of Tam Coc is one of the most peaceful experiences Vietnam has to offer, and it’s easily reached from Hanoi as a day trip or overnight stop.

Da Nang and the coast

Vietnam’s central coast has some of the best beaches in Southeast Asia, and Da Nang is a relaxed and well-connected base for exploring them. The Marble Mountains, a cluster of limestone hills studded with caves and shrines, are just south of the city. Locally made marble ornaments make a nice souvenir from your travels. Hoi An is 30 minutes away by road, making Da Nang an excellent hub for this stretch of the country.

Phu Quoc Island

Off the southwest coast near the Cambodian border, Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island and one of its most popular beach destinations. Long white sand beaches, clear warm water and a growing range of resorts make it an idyllic place for some R&R. There’s arguably not quite as much to do as other areas, but if you’ve spent some time travelling through the country, that might be exactly what you’re looking for. Grab a cocktail and get your feet in the sand.

How much do things cost in Vietnam?

Vietnam can be an affordable choice for UK visitors. Accommodation, food and local transport are often very cheap by UK standards, though tourist-facing prices in popular areas like Hoi An and Halong Bay can be higher than elsewhere. Eating at local street stalls and market canteens is always good value; a bowl of pho or a banh mi from a street vendor will cost you very little. Guided tours, adventure activities and overnight cruises are where costs can mount up more quickly.

Vietnam’s currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND). Our currency converter can show you the current exchange rate. Data collated by Numbeo gives an approximation of average prices in Vietnam (accurate as of April 2026).

• Three-course meal for two (no drinks): Approx 500,000 VND (£14.04)
• Regular cappuccino: Approx 43,000 VND (£1.20)
• Taxi rate per kilometre: Approx 16,000 VND (£0.44)

Post Office can help you get your travel money ready before you go. You can buy Vietnamese dong at your local branch or order online for home delivery. Take a look at our travel money tips for more guidance.

Do you need travel insurance for Vietnam?

Travel insurance isn’t legally required to enter Vietnam, but it’s recommended by the Vietnam Entry Visa service  and the UK’s FCDO. There’s no reciprocal healthcare agreement between the UK and Vietnam, which means your GHIC card is of no use here and any medical treatment will come at full cost to you. In cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, private hospitals are well equipped and often have English-speaking staff, but they’re expensive. In rural and remote areas, quality care can be harder to access, and evacuation to a better-equipped facility in a city or neighbouring country could add very significantly to those costs.

Beyond medical cover, Vietnam’s combination of adventure activities, long-haul flights, pre-booked tours and unpredictable weather during typhoon season means there are plenty of situations where having insurance can help you recover costs if something goes wrong.

The FCDO currently advises that Vietnam is safe to travel to (accurate as of April 2026), but it’s always a good idea to check the latest guidance before you depart.

Is travel insurance required to enter Vietnam?

No, there’s no requirement to show proof of travel insurance at the Vietnamese border. However, some organised tours and trekking operators, particularly in remote areas, may ask for evidence of adequate cover before allowing you to join. It’s worth checking with your tour provider before you travel if this could apply to your trip.

What does and doesn’t travel insurance cover for Vietnam?

What does travel insurance cover for Vietnam?

Post Office Travel Insurance can offer help when your trip doesn’t go to plan. Here’s what’s included as standard. Limits and exclusions apply depending on your policy level, so it’s always worth reviewing the full policy details before you travel.

• Emergency medical costs and repatriation: Cover for unexpected illness or injury while you’re away, including getting you home safely if needed. All policies include Medical Assistance Plus¹, giving you round-the-clock access to an English-speaking doctor via your phone on international trips
• Cancellation and curtailment: Financial protection if a covered event, such as illness, injury or bereavement, means you can’t travel or have to cut your trip short
• Lost, stolen or damaged belongings: Cover for your luggage, passport and money. Report any theft to the local police within 48 hours and keep the report, as you’ll need it when you make a claim
• Travel delays and missed connections: If your flight or onward transport is delayed or you miss a connection for a covered reason, we can help with the costs
• Personal liability: Protection if you accidentally injure someone or cause damage to their property while you’re abroad

What isn’t covered?

Understanding what’s excluded is just as important as knowing what’s included. You won’t be covered for:

• Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions
• Activities or sports not covered under your policy level, including certain adventure activities
• Incidents that occur while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Any claim arising from breaking local laws or disrespecting local customs
• Travelling to areas where the FCDO advises against all travel or all but essential travel
• Missed flights or connections due to your own error

Motorbikes, scooters and adventure activities

Does my travel insurance cover renting a motorbike or moped in Vietnam?

With Post Office Travel Insurance, you have personal accident cover for riding a motorbike or moped as long as the following are all true:

• You (or the driver if you are a passenger) hold an appropriate licence/certificate for the engine size you’re riding
• You’re not riding a motorbike or moped with an engine size above 125cc
• You ride on recognise roads following local safety laws
• You wear a helmet at all times
• You don’t ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Please note, personal liability insurance is not included with riding motorbikes. This means that if you were to crash your bike into a shop, your insurance wouldn’t cover the costs of the damages.

Vietnam has a love affair with the motorbike and exploring its beautiful landscapes on two wheels can be an affordable and highly enjoyable activity. Just remember that roads can be uneven and there’s no shortage of other motorists. Even if your insurance helps cover your medical bills, you still don’t want to spend any of your holiday in a hospital.

Other adventure activities in Vietnam

Vietnam’s geography makes it a genuine adventure travel destination. Other activities covered under Post Office Travel Insurance include:

• Trekking and hiking in places like Sapa and Phong Nha. You’re covered for trekking at up to 4,000 metres, but both of these places are considerably lower than that
• Kayaking on Halong Bay or in coastal areas up to grade 3. Be sure to stay within 12 nautical miles of the coastline
• Rock climbing, including the well-known routes around Cat Ba Island
• Scuba diving and snorkelling around Phu Quoc and the central coast. You’re covered up to depths of 30m if diving with a qualified instructor
• Ziplining in Phong Nha

Medical cover in cities versus remote areas

In major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, international and private hospitals are available and generally well equipped, with English-speaking staff. They’re not cheap, but the standard of care for most conditions is good.

The picture changes considerably once you leave the cities. In remote areas like Sapa, Ha Giang, the Mekong Delta and the more isolated parts of Phong Nha, local medical facilities may be limited. For anything more serious than minor treatment, you’d likely need to be transported to the nearest city hospital, which could mean a journey of several hours. In extreme cases, medical evacuation might be necessary, either to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City or, for the most serious situations, to Bangkok or Singapore where specialist care is available.

Emergency medical evacuation is one of the most expensive things travel insurance covers, and one of the most valuable. These costs are covered with Post Office Travel Insurance, with the limits at £5 million with economy cover, £10 million with standard cover and £15 million with Premier cover. Providing you weren’t involved in activity which isn’t covered, as outlined earlier, your repatriation costs are covered.

Different types of cover for Vietnam holidays

There are different travel insurance options available to you which suit different situations.

If you’re likely to go away more than once in the next 12 months, you might want to consider annual multi-trip cover. It can work out cheaper than buying multiple single-trip policies and it removes the possibility of forgetting to get insurance.

If you’re planning on a long trip, you might want to look at backpacker cover. It’s designed for people spending multiple months away, perhaps in various countries. You can be covered for up to 18 months, which includes three separate week-long trips back to the UK without having to adjust your cover.

Laws and customs to know before you go

Vietnam is a welcoming country for tourists and crime against visitors is relatively low. But there are some important legal and cultural differences that are worth understanding before you travel, particularly since breaking local laws can invalidate your travel insurance.

• Drugs: Vietnam has strict drug laws. Trafficking offences can carry the death penalty. Don’t assume that because something is available for sale it’s legal
• Alcohol: Methanol poisoning from counterfeit or low-quality alcohol has been reported in Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia. Stick to drinks from reputable, licensed venues. Incidents related to being under the influence of alcohol won’t be covered by your travel insurance
• Photography: Be cautious about photographing military installations, government buildings and border areas. It’s also respectful to ask permission before photographing people, particularly in more rural communities
• ID: It’s not uncommon for photographic ID to be requested in Vietnam, so you might want to consider saving a photo of your passport’s photo page on your phone
• Cultural respect: Vietnam is predominantly Buddhist, and temples and pagodas deserve appropriate dress and behaviour. Cover your shoulders and knees when entering religious sites. Remove shoes when asked to do so

Visas and entry requirements

UK passport holders can visit Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days for tourism or business. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your arrival date and have at least two blank pages. When you arrive, your passport will be stamped with your permitted stay. Check the date carefully before you leave border control, as errors won’t be corrected afterwards.

If you want to stay longer than 45 days, or plan to make multiple entries, you can apply for a Vietnamese e-visa online before you travel. E-visas allow stays of up to 90 days and multiple entries. If you overstay your visa, you may face fines, a ban on re-entry or difficulty leaving the country.