Expatriate insurance in Vietnam
With economic growth in excess of 6% over the past four years and a young population, the country is attracting more and more entrepreneurs and expatriates. But before you leave for Vietnam, find out what life is like there.
Vietnam is a destination that has always been described as an enriching and enjoyable experience by our policyholders. Take the time to take out suitable international health insurance before you leave to cover your healthcare costs abroad. Mondassur offers a range of contracts to suit your health coverage needs and budget.
Expatriate insurance Vietnam Gold Nomad Expat
Our policy with good levels of cover, suitable for your expatriation to Vietnam.
From
74€
- Worldwide coverage
- Maximum age: 65
- Covers up to 100% of routine medical care
- 100% hospitalization coverage
- Up to €500,000 per year
- Maternity coverage up to €4,500
- Covers pre-existing conditions
- Coverage of pharmaceutical costs
- Repatriation assistance
- Civil liability
- Individual protection
Expatriate Insurance Vietnam Gold Expat Access
Economical international health insurance tailored to your expatriation plans.
From
93€
- Worldwide coverage
- Minimum age: 14
- Maximum age: 65
- Covers 80% of routine medical care
- 100% hospitalization coverage
- Up to €750,000 per year
- Maternity coverage up to €4,500
- Coverage of assisted reproduction up to €500
- Covers pre-existing conditions
- Coverage of pharmaceutical costs
- Free choice of practitioners and hospitals abroad
- Optional dental and optical care
- Optional repatriation assistance
- Optional third-party liability
Expatriate insurance Vietnam Gold Expat Safe
Health insurance with a good cover/price ratio. It offers effective cover against accident and illness.
From
107€
- Worldwide coverage
- Minimum age: 14
- Maximum age: 65
- Covers 90% of common medicine
- 100% hospitalization coverage
- Up to €1,000,000 per year
- Maternity coverage up to €4,500
- Coverage of assisted reproduction up to €1,000
- Covers pre-existing conditions
- Coverage of pharmaceutical costs
- Optional dental and optical care
- Maternity plus option
- Prevention and well-being as an option
- Optional repatriation assistance
- Optional third-party liability
Expatriate insurance Vietnam Gold Expat Premium
Our most comprehensive expatriate health insurance plan in Vietnam.
From
138€
- Worldwide coverage
- Minimum age: 14
- Maximum age: 65
- Covers up to 100% of routine medical care
- 100% hospitalization coverage
- Up to €1,500,000 per year
- Maternity coverage up to €6,000
- Coverage of assisted reproduction up to €1,500
- Covers pre-existing conditions
- Coverage of pharmaceutical costs
- Optional dental and optical care
- Maternity plus option
- Prevention and well-being as an option
- Optional repatriation assistance
- Optional third-party liability
Any questions? Need advice?
Working in Vietnam
You can go to Vietnam for a short stay or a business expatriation if you have a professional partnership. You can also come as a tourist and convert your visa to a business visa once you’ve found a job. Your employer will take care of the administrative side once you have provided him with your personal details.
Don’t hesitate to contact the CCI France Vietnam, based in Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon). Also check out the online ads on forums, blogs or Facebook groups. Alternatively, you can seek help from recruitment agencies, either online or on site.
Schooling in Vietnam
The Vietnamese school system is quite similar to the French system. Children spend 5 years in primary school, 4 years in junior high school and 3 years in high school. Schooling ends with the baccalaureate.
Vietnamese universities are highly selective and require an entrance exam before admission.
The school year runs from September to June.
There are two French schools in Vietnam, listed on the France Diplomatie website.
- Lycée Alexandre Yersin in Hanoi
- Marguerite Duras high school in Ho Chi Minh City
To give you an idea, the French lycée in Hanoi charges between €3,500 and €5,400 per year. Then there are the registration and examination fees.
Accommodation in Vietnam
The most popular cities for expatriates are Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the most “Western” city in Vietnam. It is home to the largest expatriate community and the largest number of foreign companies. It’s a modern, dynamic city with a host of amenities that expatriates appreciate. The climate is always warm, but there is a rainy season in summer.
Its weak points are traffic density, pollution and noise.
Hanoi is the country’s administrative and political capital. The population is more traditional, and expatriates appreciate its historic architecture. Located in the north of the country, Hanoi’s climate is organized into four seasons.
It’s a dynamic city, but smaller than Ho Chi Minh City, so traffic is even more difficult.
Other cities may also attract your attention, with Ha Long, Hué, Da Nang and Nha Trang being the most popular.
Once you’ve chosen your destination, turn to real estate agencies or social networks to find your accommodation.
The cost of living is lower than in France. The same applies to rents. Apartments are relatively inexpensive: from around €250 for a studio to €800 for a larger apartment. But rents are rising in city centers.
Leases are signed for one to five years, and units are generally furnished. You will certainly be asked to pay one to three months’ rent in advance.
Utilities (water and electricity) are paid by the tenant. Electricity bills can quickly rise if you use air conditioning to escape the heat and humidity.
When choosing your home, make sure you have an air-conditioning unit. Buying an air dehumidifier can also improve your daily life at home.
How much does it cost to live in Vietnam?
The average salary in Vietnam’s major cities in 2019 is around €320/month, while in the countryside it’s well under €100/month.
The relatively low cost of living is a big plus for expatriates. For expatriate retirees, retirement is enough to live comfortably.
The cost of food is very cheap, and going to the market saves you 2 to 3 times the price of a restaurant.
In supermarkets, prices of imported products are rising fast, up to 2 to 3 times the French price.
Driving in Vietnam
The Vietnamese authorities do not accept international driving licenses. If you have a visa longer than 3 months, you can apply for a valid Vietnamese driver’s license from the traffic department of the licensing office in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh.
The most popular form of transport is the scooter, which is much cheaper than cars (which are subject to a special consumption tax). They invade cities and countryside alike, and you’ll come across them on every street corner and at every st. For 90 million inhabitants, no less than 40 million scooters! These scooters create monstrous traffic jams, honking horns all day long and alarming levels of pollution. Drivers won’t hesitate to use sidewalks without the slightest respect for traffic regulations.
Road accidents kill thousands of people every year in Vietnam. Be extremely careful, especially when trying to cross the street.
Hygiene and eating habits in Vietnam
Pay attention to hygiene in street corner stalls. Conditions are quite good in restaurants, markets and stores. Tap water is not drinkable. Prefer brand-name bottled water: Lavie, Aquafina and Joy.
The Vietnamese are accustomed to having a bowl of Phò (a beef soup with rice noodles and aromatic herbs) for breakfast, the emblematic dish that makes the Vietnamese proud. French colonization has left its mark, and baguettes are readily available in street stalls.
Thanks to French coffee imports since the colonial era, Vietnam has become the world’s second-largest coffee producer, and the biggest producer of Robusta coffee.
