Guide to travel insurance for your Vietnam trip

In many countries, purchasing and showing proof of a purchase for travel insurance is a must as you apply for your travel documents. As you get a visa for Vietnam, you are not required to present one. But do you need one? The answer is YES, you will greatly benefit from a wisely picked travel insurance.

1. Why would I need insurance?

There are a lot of things that could happen on the road, or even before you hit the road, to any one, in any country or territory and at any time. Following are some of the most popular scenarios: someone from your family gets sick and you need to cancel your non-refundable packaged tour; a sudden typhoon swept through the tropical island, making your flight and hotels cancel; get caught in the hospital for an injury (and in Vietnam, hospitals for foreigners usually charge an outrageous amount of money) and have to pour all of your previous savings into one treatment.

This is not to say Vietnam is an unsafe place to visit, but that anything can happen and it is better you get yourself prepared. Getting insurance sometimes will save you thousands of dollars, but in the least it gives you peace of mind. You know you are protected to a certain extent.

2. What types of insurance are there?

Thanks to Vietnam’s readily available tourism activities, you will find yourself anywhere from flying, taking cruise trips, staying at a high end resort, going kayaking on the bay or even simply crossing the streets. Fun as they may sound, some may be more prone to risk than others.

Currently in the insurance market, there are both individual and comprehensive plans for you to choose from: flight and trip cancellation insurance, travel health insurance, medical evacuation insurance, baggage coverage insurance, excess valuation, to name a few. Depending on your particular trip and preference, you may find one that best suits your interest.

How much your insurance will cost you will depend on the number of days you travel, the destination you will travel (Vietnam is generally listed as a safer place, and costing less money for insurance), and the types that you choose.

Below is a closer look at the different types of insurance:

Trip Cancellation

When you book your flight, you will be asked whether you want to purchase a flight or trip cancellation insurance. Unless you are 100% sure that you will make it for the trip, it may be wise to purchase one. This flight cancellation insurance starts from $13 and will be an excellent deal in case your flight or trip gets cancelled.

Flight Insurance

Flight insurance will help only in the case the plane crashed which is unheard of the history of flights to Vietnam. Plus you can always combine this insurance type with the comprehensive plan mentioned below.

Baggage Insurance

You won’t be a happy traveler as you land and find out that you lost your baggage or your 2 trolleys were totally damaged. Most airlines will provide only hefty reimbursement in case of lost luggage. Baggage insurance will be necessary if you travel long distances.

Travel Health Insurance 

Your national health care insurance will not cover your trip to Vietnam in particular, so you should buy travel health insurance when travelling to Vietnam.

Other insurances available for your consideration are: Adventure travel, Credit card coverage, extreme sports insurance, to name a few.

3. Insurance plan

Instead of going with individual coverage you may also purchase insurance plan:

Vacation plan

This is the most popular type of all travel insurance. Vacation plan includes trip cancellation or interruption, medical emergencies, loss or delays of luggage, and some over coverage depending on the insurance providers.

Specialty plan

This includes evacuation plans, accident plans, which cover the emergency evacuation and often-sold on an annual basis. The insurance will cover transport and any emergency medical costs associated with the occurrence while you are abroad.

Travel medical plan 

Travel medical insurance will focus on your health only so do not expect them to cover your baggage loss or trip cancellation. The coverage under this plan will include your medical expenses while abroad and emergency evacuations.

4. When to get your insurance

It is best to get your travel insurance as you start your booking process: reserving a flight ticket, making a deposit for a package tour to Vietnam or paying for your cruise trips.

Vietnam is a safe country to visit, but it is also advisable to buy a travel insurance package. For one the price is reasonable. For another the peace of mind and the extra assistance such a move brings is invaluable. Whatever plan you choose, always remember to read all the details and exclusions of a plan before taking a leaf.