From street eats in Hanoi to sailing around Halong Bay, learn how travel insurance can help Americans traveling to Vietnam.
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Slurping down bowls of steaming Pho on a corner in Ho Chi Minh City, cruising along the coast from Hanoi to the Mekong Delta, and hiking through terraced rice fields in Sapa are probably a few of the visions you have of exploring vibrant Vietnam. This Southeast Asian country draws thousands of American visitors each year to adventure through storied landscapes, buzzing cities, and, of course, to sample its famed cuisine.
You can get lost in a sea of motorcycles in busy Ho Chi Minh, check out the evolving underground scene in Hanoi, get a history lesson at war memorials such as the Cu Chi Tunnels and at ancient Confucius sites like the Temple of Literature, and unwind on a boat trip down the Mekong River. Nature travelers might want to explore Northern Vietnam, where lush hills, waterfalls, and tiny mountain villages like Mai Chau are in abundance.
While a trip to Vietnam is an incredible experience, there are some things to be aware of when you’re visiting from the US. We’ve learned quite a bit in our travels and encourage you to explore travel insurance* plans for Vietnam.
International travel can bring all kinds of unexpected surprises - like tasting the banh mi from a legendary sandwich shop in Hoi An.
Some surprises are not as great though. Nobody wants to think about canceled trips, delayed baggage, and medical emergencies, but these things can happen unexpectedly. If crash your bicycle while cycling through the mountains around Dalat, you may then wish that you had travel insurance for Vietnam.
World Nomads has four plans to choose from, and when you get a quote you can compare the options to choose the best international travel insurance for your needs.
From cruising in Halong Bay to exploring the caves in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, Vietnam is brimming with adventures for the adrenaline seekers and outdoor travelers. World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Americans traveling to Vietnam and includes things camping on Cat Ba Island, canyoning in Dalat, and swimming in the ocean.
When you get a quote for your travel insurance for Vietnam, it’s helpful to have a general itinerary in mind. Different plans cover different activities. Knowing which activities you’ll do in advance will help you choose the best insurance for your trip.
Things like kayaking in beautiful Tu San Gorge and rock climbing in Hữu Lũng are covered under all plans, including the Standard Plan. However, if you’re hoping to go cliff jumping in Nha Trang, you’ll need to purchase the Explorer or the Epic Plan for coverage.
Motorbiking is common in Vietnam, and in some instances, it could be covered by your travel insurance plan - but it’s not guaranteed. Just because it’s easy to rent a motorbike there doesn’t mean you should, and it doesn’t mean you’ll be covered.
We get a lot of accident claims from nomads who hop on a motorized bike for the first time in Vietnam because it’s cheap and easy to rent. However, safety is not always top priority for other drivers – speed and convenience are. The roads are often narrow and windy, and in the cities are clogged with traffic. The rules of the road can be very different from back home in the United States. Motorbike accidents are quite common and it’s very important to know that if you don’t have the proper license for motorbiking, your travel insurance for Vietnam won’t cover you.
If motorbiking is something you insist on doing, you’ll need to look at getting the proper license for motorbiking in Vietnam before you leave the US. You can get specific license requirements for Vietnam on the U.S. government’s website. You’ll also want to review your plan wording carefully when you get a quote for travel insurance for Vietnam.
Before you take off on your adventure to Vietnam, we recommend that you make an appointment with Runway Health-- an online travel clinic and our non-insurance service partner. The telehealth service offers online consultations 24/7 and can help you obtain necessary vaccinations or medications, such as medication to help with traveler’s diarrhea. Depending on which region of Vietnam you’ll be visiting, they can also recommend whether you should take an anti-malarial medication.
Let’s face it—eating street food is practically synonymous with a vacation in Vietnam. We certainly can’t blame you for wanting to try bun cha, bot chien, and banh xeo, but street food can be a gamble and you should choose your vendors carefully. Food poisoning is no fun when traveling. Also remember to drink filtered or bottled water, as tap water is generally not recommended to drink.
Your travel insurance may also come into handy if you fall and injure yourself while hiking one of the many beautiful trails in Vietnam. If you have a medical emergency while traveling in Vietnam, you can call the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team and they can help refer you to a place that offers the level of care that you need. If you’re traveling in a remote area, they may be able to help transfer you to a suitable facility for care and can also help communicate with your local medical team if there are language barriers.
In the event that your attending physician (and the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team) determines that it’s best for you to go home to the US to get medical care, the repatriation coverage that is included in your travel insurance for South America may cover the costs to get you there.
What happens if you land in Ho Chi Minh City to find that your bags didn’t arrive at the same time you did? If you’re lucky, your bags just took a detour and will eventually make their way to you. Even a delayed bag can be stressful though. If your bags are delayed for at least 12 hours, you may still be reimbursed for a change of clothes and toiletries until you and your bag are reunited.
The first step is to contact the airline. If the airline isn’t able to help you locate your lost bag, the second step is to contact Blue Ribbon Bags, a non-insurance service that will track and expedite the return of your undelivered baggage by the airline. Make sure to have the file reference or record locator number and Property Irregularity Report on hand when you call Blue Ribbon Bags so you can file a lost luggage claim.
Petty theft and pickpockets can happen in Vietnam’s urban centers. Pay attention if you’re in a crowded market or walking along the streets. Motorcyclists have been known to grab bags as they drive by people on the street. Keeping your bag in front of you, keeping an eye on your belongings, and leaving your valuables locked in a safe at your hotel minimize the risk of theft. If anything does happen, make sure you make a police report. You’ll need to make a claim and get reimbursed for stolen goods with your travel insurance for Vietnam.
Even if you’ve booked all your hotels and excursions for Vietnam, unexcepted things could happen that might disrupt your trip. When looking for travel insurance plans for Vietnam, consider getting one that covers trip cancelation, delays, and interruptions.
Vietnam is prone to natural disasters, particularly flooding and landslides during monsoon season, which runs from June through November. If a flood closes roads and makes it impossible to get to your destination, your travel insurance for Vietnam may help you be reimbursed for non-refundable tours and hotel accommodations that you paid for in advance. Or, if a landslide destroys your accommodation and makes it uninhabitable, World Nomads travel insurance may also be able to help.
What happens if your travel companion gets in a motorcycle accident and needs to stay in the hospital for at least 24 hours? Your expenses (up to plan limits) could be covered, too, under the Trip Interruption benefit. Make sure to keep all documentation and receipts for things you paid for in advance- you’ll need those if you make a claim.
Before you head out on your epic adventure, we encourage you to check out the US government’s travel warnings for Vietnam. Weather, safety, and political situations can change at any time, and this is where they list any current advisories. You also may want to read up on our tips for traveling to Vietnam.
If you purchase travel insurance for Vietnam, it is a good idea to save the 24/7 Emergency Assistance phone number and your plan number in your cell phone, so you don’t have to search for that if an emergency happens.
Learn a few Vietnamese phrases before you take off—these can help you bargain and order the best food! Read up on Vietnam’s complex history, both ancient and contemporary, to give you some context for your trip. And don’t be afraid to venture into the unknown. Vietnam has plenty of lesser-visited spots beyond its most popular destinations. Check out our recommendations for getting off the beaten track in Central Vietnam for some inspiration!
*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.Before you pack your bags to explore Vietnam’s wonders get a quote for travel insurance. It may come in handy if you need it in an overseas emergency.
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Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.