Heath Insurance in Vietnam for Foreigners – 2025 Update

It is important for foreign workers to know the basics of health insurance in Vietnam​. Follow this article by Thao & Co. for more information on this topic.

Types of health insurance in Vietnam for foreigners

There are currently 3 types of health insurance for foreign workers in Vietnam.

Compulsory health insurance

This health insurance type applies to expatriates who already signed an employment contract lasting for more than 3 months in Vietnam.

The foreign employees shall enjoy the same benefits as Vietnamese employees, such as getting medical treatment at public hospitals, hospitalization, outpatient treatments, surgeries, emergencies, etc.

Voluntary health insurance

Foreigners can register for voluntary health insurance in Vietnam if they are legal residents ineligible for compulsory health insurance.

As both health insurance schemes are the same, this type is suitable for freelancers who want to register for health insurance in Vietnam​.

Private health insurance

Instead of social health insurance, foreigners can also buy private health insurance plans from reputable companies. Private insurance often provides more extensive coverage.

Here are some well-known private health insurance providers in Vietnam:

1.  • Bảo Việt: Benefits include medical checkups and treatments, prenatal care, dental services, surgeries, etc. within a specific area or globally.

1.  • Manulife Vietnam: Benefits include hospitalization and outpatient treatments, emergencies, treatments for critical illness, prenatal care, etc. within Asian regions or globally.

1.  • AIA Vietnam: Benefits include hospitalization and outpatient treatments, prenatal care, and emergencies within Vietnam and other countries as requested.

Health insurance law in Vietnam

Here are some key points in the health insurance law in Vietnam regarding foreigners:

1. • The compulsory health insurance in Vietnam​ applies to foreign workers on permanent employment contracts or contracts lasting more than three months.

1. • If foreigners are ineligible for compulsory health insurance, they may register for volunteer health insurance instead. For this type, foreigners can only register as members or temporary residents of a Vietnamese household.

1. • When applying for health insurance in Vietnam, foreigners can select their primary healthcare service establishment from the list provided by the Social Security agency.

1. • Employers of foreign workers must register and contribute to compulsory health insurance as regulated.

1. • Employers are responsible for providing the necessary information and paperwork for their foreign workers to register for health insurance in Vietnam.

1. • Individual or organization employers will face administrative penalties and overdue payment fees if they don’t fulfill their health insurance contribution.

How do foreigners register for health insurance in Vietnam?

Foreigners can apply for health insurance in Vietnam by following one of the processes below.

• Compulsory health insurance: The employer is responsible for registration and making payments. Foreign workers only need to provide the requested documents.

 • Voluntary health insurance:

1. + Condition: Foreigners must provide confirmation of their residence or Vietnamese household register. The household register provided must be under the name of a Vietnamese citizen or a permanent resident.
2. + Place: The social security agency in your commune/ward/town.
3. + Documents:
   • ○ Passport or Temporary residence card
   • ○ A declaration on provision and change of information on the social insurance and health insurance buyer (Form TK1-TS)
   • ○ List of household members registering health insurance (Form DK01)
   • ○ A copy of household register/temporary residence registration or confirmation of residence.
   • ○ The original copy of other household member’s health insurance card (if applicable)

• Private health insurance: Foreigners can directly contact private health insurance providers such as Bảo Việt, Manulife, AIA, Prudential, etc. for consultations and instructions on buying.

Vietnam health insurance coverage for foreigners

Having compulsory or voluntary health insurance in Vietnam grants foreigners benefits for medical checkups and treatments.

1. + At the selected primary healthcare service establishment:
   • ○ 100% coverage for critical illnesses, major surgeries, and for priority individuals
   • ○ 95% coverage for individuals in difficult circumstances as regulated in Clause 4, Article 12 of the Law on Health Insurance.
   • ○ 80% coverage for standard medical checkups and treatments.

1. + At non-selected healthcare service establishments:
   • ○ 40% coverage for hospitalization at municipal hospitals.
   • ○ 80% coverage for hospitalization at provincial and district hospitals.

Health insurance contribution rate for foreigners – latest update

Here is the health insurance contribution rate for foreigners:

+ Compulsory health insurance: 4.5% of monthly salary. In which:

1. ○ The employer contributes 3%
2. ○ The employee contributes 1.5%

1. Example: If the monthly salary of a foreign employee is 20 million VND, the contribution amount is:
   • ● Employer: 600,000 VND per month
   • ● Employee: 300,000 VND per month
   • ● Total: 900,000 VND per month

+ Voluntary health insurance, or household insurance:

1. ○ First member: 4.5% of the regulated base salary
2. ○ Second member: 70% of the first member’s rate
3. ○ Third member: 60% of the first member’s rate
4. ○ Fourth member: 50% of the first member’s rate
5. ○ Fifth member onward: 40% of the first member’s rate

1. 2025’s base salary: 2,340,000 VND per month

1. Example: If a 2-member family participates in voluntary health insurance, the contribution amount is:
   • ● First member: 1,263,600 VND per year
   • ● Second member: 884,520 VND per year
   • ● Total: 2,148,120đ per year

+ Private health insurance: The fees depend on the chosen plan, ranging from a few million to tens of millions per year.

Reputable health insurance documents translation and consultation services

Are you looking for a reliable translation and consultation agency for health insurance in Vietnam? Look no further than Thao & Co.!

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Takeaways

This article has compiled the key information on health insurance in Vietnam for foreigners. Health insurance is an employee’s right and the employer’s obligation.

Hence, it is important that both parties stay updated on the latest information regarding this matter to avoid legal complications.