🛂 Vietnam Visa Situation
No digital nomad visa exists • E-visa (90 days) most common • No visa requires insurance • Most nomads work on tourist entry

📋 What You Actually Need
Any reputable international insurer • No minimum coverage amount • Monthly subscription plans ideal for nomads

Moving to Vietnam as a remote worker? Tell us your situation → We help free

77M

Motorbikes on roads

90%

Road deaths involve motorbikes

$0

Public cover for foreigners

1. E-Visa (Most Popular for Nomads)

Applied online through the official portal, the e-visa grants up to 90 days with single or multiple entry. At $25 USD, it’s the cheapest long-stay option. Most nomads chain e-visas with brief exits to neighbouring countries.

2. Visa Exemption (Short Stays)

Citizens of select countries can enter visa-free for 14 to 45 days depending on nationality. Useful for scouting trips or short working stints, but too brief for most nomads who plan to settle in for months.

3. Business Visa (DN1/DN2)

Technically the “correct” option for working in Vietnam, but requires a local sponsoring company—impractical for freelancers. Valid for 1–2 years with a temporary residence card. Some nomads with Vietnamese clients explore this route.

REAL COST EXAMPLES (VIETNAM PRIVATE HOSPITALS):

• • Appendectomy: $3,000–$10,000
• • Broken bone surgery: $5,000–$20,000
• • Serious motorbike accident: $15,000–$80,000+
• • Dengue hospitalisation (7 days): $3,000–$8,000
• • Heart attack treatment: $30,000–$100,000
• • Medical evacuation to Bangkok: $25,000–$45,000

• Medical coverage
  €1,000,000
• Deductible
  €0 – €1,000
• 125cc scooter coverage
  Included*
• Max age
  74 years

*Covers scooters up to 125cc without motorcycle license requirement

Get Genki Quote →

• Medical coverage
  $250,000
• Deductible
  $250
• Home country trips
  15 days included
• Max age
  69 years

Monthly subscription, cancel anytime

Get SafetyWing Quote →

• Medical coverage
  $1–2 Million
• Outpatient
  Full coverage
• Dental/Vision
  Optional add-on
• Max age
  74 years

Full expat health insurance solution

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We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. Activities covered, limits, and required documentation may vary depending on your destination and other factors. Please review the policy details on the World Nomads website.

❌ Thinking “Vietnam is cheap, I’ll just pay cash”

Street food is cheap. A government clinic visit might be cheap. But the moment you need an international-standard hospital—Vinmec, FV, or a Bangkok medevac—you’re looking at Western-level prices. A serious motorbike accident can rack up $50,000+ before you even leave the ICU.

❌ Buying a fixed-date plan for an open-ended trip

Nomad life is unpredictable. A trip-based policy that covers “July 1–September 30” leaves you exposed if you extend your stay or change plans. Monthly subscription plans from SafetyWing or Genki flex with your schedule—no penalties for extending or leaving early.

❌ Ignoring motorbike exclusions

Nearly every nomad in Vietnam ends up on a motorbike—it’s the default transport. But most travel insurance excludes motorbike injuries unless you hold a valid motorcycle license. In Vietnam, you technically need a Vietnamese licence or a valid IDP. Only Genki Traveler covers scooters up to 125cc regardless of licensing. Read our motorbike insurance guide.

❌ Forgetting about medical evacuation

Working from a beach town like Phú Quốc, Côn Đảo, or remote provinces? The nearest international-standard hospital can be hours away. Serious trauma or cardiac events may require evacuation to HCMC, Hanoi, Da Nang, or in some cases to Bangkok — costing $25,000–$45,000 by air ambulance. Make sure your policy covers this.

❌ Letting coverage lapse between visa runs

Many nomads exit Vietnam every 90 days for a new e-visa. If your insurance only covers “Vietnam” and not your transit country, you’re uninsured during those border hops to Cambodia or Thailand. Choose a worldwide policy that travels with you.

❌ Relying on a credit card’s “free” travel insurance

Credit card coverage typically caps at 30–90 days, excludes motorbikes, has low limits ($50K or less), and requires you to have booked flights with that card. For a months-long nomad stay, it’s almost never sufficient. See our guide on whether you need travel insurance for Vietnam.

Does Vietnam have a digital nomad visa?

No. As of April 2026, Vietnam has no dedicated digital nomad or remote worker visa. Most nomads use the 90-day e-visa ($25) and do visa runs to neighbouring countries when it expires. There have been discussions about introducing a nomad-friendly category, but nothing has been legislated yet.

Is insurance required for any Vietnamese visa?

No. Unlike some Thai visas that mandate coverage, no Vietnamese visa category—e-visa, visa exemption, DN business visa, work permit, or investor visa—requires proof of health insurance. Insurance is entirely voluntary, but strongly recommended given the lack of public healthcare for foreigners.

How much does nomad insurance cost for Vietnam?

Budget roughly $45–$65 per month for travel health insurance from providers like SafetyWing or Genki Traveler. For comprehensive international health insurance with outpatient, dental, and routine care (Cigna Global), expect $150+ per month. Prices vary by age and deductible choices.

Which insurance covers motorbike scooters without a license?

Genki Traveler is currently the only major international travel insurer that covers scooters up to 125cc without requiring a motorcycle license. Most other providers—including SafetyWing—require a valid license for any motorbike-related claim. Given that motorbikes are the primary transport in Vietnam, this is a critical detail. See our motorbike insurance guide.

Can I buy insurance after arriving in Vietnam?

Yes—both SafetyWing and Genki Traveler allow you to purchase coverage while already abroad. There’s typically no waiting period for accidents, though medical illness waiting periods of a few days may apply. Ideally, sign up before you leave to ensure coverage from day one, including your flights.

What hospitals should insured nomads use in Vietnam?

Vietnam’s JCI-accredited hospitals are concentrated in HCMC and Hanoi — including FV Hospital (HCMC) and several Vinmec branches (Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Nha Trang). Most accept direct billing from major international insurers. In Da Nang, Vinmec Da Nang and Family Medical Practice are reliable options. For anything serious outside major cities, medical evacuation may be necessary. See our best hospitals guide.

Does insurance cover me during visa runs to Cambodia or Thailand?

If you choose a worldwide policy (both Genki and SafetyWing provide this), yes—you’re covered in transit countries too. This is particularly important for nomads who hop between Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. Country-specific policies would leave you uninsured during these border crossings.

I have pre-existing conditions—can I still get nomad insurance?

Most travel health policies exclude pre-existing conditions. SafetyWing and Genki both exclude them from their standard plans. However, Cigna Global and IMG Global offer options for covering ongoing conditions at higher premiums. See our pre-existing conditions guide or contact us for personalised advice.

I’m over 60—what are my options?

SafetyWing covers ages up to 69, Genki Traveler up to 74, and Cigna Global up to 74. Premiums increase significantly after 60. For over-70 nomads, options narrow but still exist—contact us for tailored recommendations. Also see our insurance guide for seniors in Vietnam.

Travel insurance vs health insurance—which do nomads need?

Travel health insurance (SafetyWing, Genki) covers emergencies, hospitalisation, and evacuation—ideal for stays under 1–2 years. International health insurance (Cigna Global) adds outpatient care, dental, vision, and routine checkups—better for nomads settling semi-permanently. For most nomads doing 3–12 month stints, travel health insurance offers the best value. See our health insurance guide for a deeper comparison.