Travel insurance for Vietnam
Vietnam is not a member of the EU or the EEA, so the European Health Insurance Card is not valid there. Moreover, the most common cause of serious injuries for travelers to this destination is not illness or the exotic environment, but scooters.
Why is it worth having travel insurance when traveling to Vietnam?
Vietnam is a relatively inexpensive destination, so the cost of insurance seems low in the context of the overall budget. However, the risk profile is high: heavy traffic, remote regions, and a long distance from home.
What to expect in Vietnam
- The EHIC is not valid — Lietuvos valstybinis draudimas does not cover the costs.
- International-standard clinics operate only in major cities.
- Medical assistance is limited in more remote regions.
- Traffic is heavy, and scooters are the primary means of transport.
- Repatriation from Asia is one of the most expensive scenarios.
What insurance does
- Covers essential medical aid up to the selected limit.
- The Assistance service contacts the clinic and provides a payment guarantee
- Arranges transport to an appropriate medical facility.
- Covers repatriation to Lithuania if treatment is continued at home.
- Operates 24/7 in Lithuanian or English.
What kind of protection should you choose for a trip to Vietnam?
For the Vietnam destination, the medical aspect—including evacuation—is the most critical, followed by coverage for active pursuits, as many popular routes technically fall into this category.
Essential
- Medical expenses with a sufficient limit
- Medical evacuation and repatriation — the most important protection in remote regions.
- 24-hour assistance service
- Accident insurance
It is worth considering.
- Active pursuits — hiking, caving, diving, long motorcycle routes
- Baggage — long-haul routes with connections and domestic flights
- Trip cancellation or curtailment
- Civil liability
Scooters in Vietnam: When Insurance Coverage Ends
In Vietnam, a scooter is not a leisure activity but a standard mode of transport—used by almost all travelers. At the same time, it is the most common cause of serious injuries and the most frequent reason why travel insurance fails to provide coverage.
Four conditions that must be met simultaneously
- Right to drive under local law. A national and international driving licence with the appropriate category is required.
- Appropriate category. A Category B license does not authorize the driving of vehicles with an engine capacity exceeding 50 cc, whereas rental scooters typically range from 110 to 125 cc.
- Sobriety. Alcohol voids insurance coverage.
- Helmet and traffic rules. Failure to wear a helmet is grounds for reducing or withholding the payout.
What does this mean in practice?
- Rental shops often provide a scooter without requiring any documents.
- That does not mean you have the right to drive it.
- Responsibility always lies with the driver, not the rental agency.
- The problem arises not during a police check, but following a traffic accident.
- In that case, you are responsible for the cost of treatment.
What to do before the trip. If you plan to ride a scooter, check before leaving Lithuania whether your driver’s license includes category A (A1, A2, or A) and obtain an International Driving Permit from Regitra. The international permit is valid only when accompanied by your national license and only for the categories you actually hold.
If you don’t have a Category A license, the safest option is to choose a “Grab” motorcycle taxi or car. It doesn’t cost much, and your insurance coverage remains valid.
The exact terms are determined by the specific insurer’s rules, so please read the section on driving vehicles before purchasing a policy. If you have any doubts, write to us—we will check the wording for you.
Important things to know before traveling to Vietnam
Five things worth sorting out while still in Lithuania.
- A visa is required. Lithuanian citizens require a visa; the most convenient way to obtain it is online via the official Vietnam immigration portal. Submit your application at least one week before your trip.
- Passport validity. The passport must be valid for at least six months from the start of the trip.
- Season. Vietnam is long, so the climate varies by region. Typhoons and floods occur in the central region during the autumn—a factor relevant to trip interruption coverage.
- Vaccines and food. There are no mandatory vaccinations, but the National Public Health Center issues recommendations. Digestive disorders and water-related issues are the most common causes of minor insurance claims.
- Payments. In big cities, cards are accepted, but in remote regions and small rental points, cash is often required.
A seaside getaway or a trip across the entire country?
In Vietnam, these two modes of travel differ more than in any other Asian destination—and the need for insurance differs accordingly.
A seaside holiday
- Danang, Nha Trang, Fukuoka, Hoi An
- Hotel, beach, short excursions
- Diving and water activities
- Getting around is mostly by taxi or Grab.
- Medical facilities are nearby; the risk is similar to that of other resort destinations.
Standard coverage with a diving or water sports add-on is sufficient if you plan to engage in those activities.
A journey across the entire country
- Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Giang, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh
- Sleeper buses, domestic flights, trains
- Mountain routes by scooter or motorcycle
- Hiking in Sa Pa and the caves of Phong Nha
- Remote regions where a suitable hospital is hours away.
Protection and evacuation measures for active activities are essential. If a motorcycle is involved in the route, first check the license category.
The most common mistake. You might buy a policy with the beach in mind, yet end up spending half your trip riding a scooter in the mountains. When choosing insurance, it is worth considering the riskiest part of your itinerary rather than the part where you will spend the most time.
What determines the cost of insurance for Vietnam?
Vietnam is not an expensive destination, and the insurance premium usually accounts for a small fraction of the total trip budget. The biggest factors influencing the cost are the duration of the trip and coverage for active pursuits.
- Duration of the trip. Vietnam routes are often long — two or three weeks is not uncommon.
- Age and number of travelers.
- Medical expense limit.
- Planned activities. Hiking, diving, caving, and motorcycle routes are evaluated separately.
- Evacuation protection. It is of utmost importance for remote regions.
- Additional safeguards. Baggage, trip cancellation, civil liability.
- Insurer’s rate. Conditions regarding active pursuits vary the most among insurers.
How do I purchase travel insurance for a trip to Vietnam?
1
Enter trip details
Dates, age and number of travelers. Destination “Vietnam” is already selected.
2
Compare offers
You will see the prices and coverage details of several insurers operating in Lithuania in one place.
3
Add active activities
If you are planning hiking, diving, or motorcycling, indicate this when taking out the policy.
4
Pay and receive the policy
You will receive the insurance certificate via email immediately after payment.
Important. The insurance policy must be purchased while still in Lithuania—we recommend doing so at least 24 hours before departure. Insurance cannot be purchased once you have already left.
What to do in the event of an incident in Vietnam?
If the incident occurs in a remote region, the most important thing is not to delay calling. The assistance service only has time to arrange transportation if it is notified of the incident immediately.
1
Call emergency services.
The number is listed on your insurance certificate. The service operates 24 hours a day and speaks Lithuanian or English.
2
Follow the instructions.
The assistance service will identify a suitable clinic and, if necessary, arrange transport to a larger medical center.
3
Keep all documents safe.
Invoices, prescriptions, doctors’ reports, receipts. In the event of a traffic accident — also the police report.
4
Notify the insurer
Upon your return, submit the documents to the insurer.
In the event of a traffic accident. If you are injured while riding a scooter, in addition to medical records, you will need a document confirming the traffic accident. Also, keep the rental agreement and copies of your driver’s license—the insurer will request them.
Insurance Terms and Documents
Before purchasing insurance, familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions of your chosen insurer. For trips to Vietnam, it is particularly important to read the section regarding vehicle operation and active pursuits.
General travel information and safety recommendations are published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Lithuanians need a visa for Vietnam?
Is the EHIC valid in Vietnam?
Can I drive a scooter in Vietnam with a Lithuanian license?
What happens to the insurance if I drove without a license?
Will they rent out a scooter in Vietnam without a license?
Are the hikes in Sapa and the Ha Giang route covered?
Where is treatment provided if the incident is serious?
Can I purchase insurance while already in Vietnam?
Calculate insurance for Vietnam
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