Travel insurance for Vietnam
You need travel insurance for Vietnam, and the single most important thing to know is that you cannot legally ride a motorbike there on an Australian licence or an Australian-issued International Driving Permit. Smartraveller says your insurer will likely deny any claims if you are unlicensed, so the motorbike tours and scooter hire that feature in so many Vietnam trips are, for most Australians, uninsured.
Beyond the roads, the case for insurance is medical. Care outside Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is limited, payment is expected before treatment, and serious cases are evacuated to Bangkok or Singapore at great expense. Our guide to compare travel insurance covers the rest of the policy.
By Better Rate Mate Editorial Team ยท Last reviewed
General advice only. It doesn't consider your circumstances. Read the PDS and TMD before you decide.
Smartraveller's current advice for Vietnam
As at 2 October 2026, Smartraveller's advice for Vietnam (page updated 24 September 2026) is to exercise normal safety precautions. The level reflects security, not road safety or medical care, both of which are where Vietnam trips most often go wrong for Australians.
Motorbikes: why Australian licences don't work
Smartraveller is unambiguous: you are not allowed to drive or ride in Vietnam on an Australian licence or an IDP issued in Australia. A Vietnamese licence is required, including for motorcycles of 50cc or more, and a temporary Vietnamese licence requires a residence permit of at least three months, which short-term visitors do not have.
The insurance consequence follows directly. Travel policies generally require you to be licensed for the vehicle under local law, and Smartraveller warns the insurer will likely deny any claims if you are unlicensed. If you are in an accident, you could also face criminal charges whoever was at fault. Taking a motorbike tour as a passenger with a licensed local rider is the usual way around it, but check that the policy covers pillion riding and the tour operator is properly licensed. Our Bali scooter insurance rules set out how selected policies treat riders and pillion passengers.
| How you travel | Licensing position | Insurance position |
|---|---|---|
| Riding a motorbike yourself (50cc or more) on an Australian licence or IDP | Not permitted | Claims likely denied |
| Driving a hire car yourself | Not permitted on an Australian licence or Australian-issued IDP | Claims likely denied |
| Pillion passenger with a licensed local rider | Rider is licensed | Check the policy covers pillion riding and a helmet is worn |
| Car with a driver, taxi or ride-share | Driver is licensed | Normal cover applies |
Hospitals, payment and evacuation
Smartraveller describes medical care in Vietnam as generally below Australian standards, with poor public hospitals outside Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Payment is expected before treatment, even in emergencies, and serious cases may be evacuated to Bangkok or Singapore, which is very expensive. That makes evacuation cover and the insurer's emergency assistance service the most important parts of a Vietnam policy.
Ha Long Bay cruises and boat trips
Overnight cruises on Ha Long Bay are on most Vietnam itineraries, and Smartraveller's warning is blunt: accidents happen, vessels have sunk and people have died, including in Ha Long Bay. Check that your policy covers the boat trip as an activity, and how your insurer defines a cruise, because definitions differ: InsureandGo's cruise PDS, for example, counts only a passenger vessel at sea, beyond the 3-nautical-mile coastal limit, for more than one night. Choose operators with life jackets on board, and avoid boats in bad weather.
Storm season and disruption
Vietnam's storm season usually runs from June to November, and Smartraveller advises making sure your travel insurance covers bad weather. As everywhere, once a typhoon is forecast it becomes a known event for policies bought afterwards, so buy cover when you book.
Travelling around South-East Asia
Many Vietnam trips continue to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand or Bali, so set your policy's region to cover every country on the route. The licence rules for scooters differ by country: compare our Thailand and Bali pages, where riding can be covered with the right licence, IDP and policy option.
Entry rules for Australians
Australians need a visa or visa exemption certificate to enter Vietnam and cannot get a visa on arrival. Australia is not on Vietnam's visa-exempt list. The electronic visa allows stays of up to 90 days, single or multiple entry; apply only through the official government portal, print the approval and check its details match your passport exactly.
Smartraveller also notes a digital pre-arrival form is encouraged for arrivals at Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Phu Quoc airports, a health declaration may be required, and your accommodation must register your stay within 24 hours.
Health risks to plan for
Smartraveller lists dengue, Zika, Japanese encephalitis, malaria, rabies and avian influenza, air pollution from January to March, and methanol poisoning from contaminated drinks. See a doctor about vaccinations well before you travel, and declare any pre-existing conditions so your medical cover applies in full.
General advice only. This information doesn't take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether the product is right for you and read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) before you decide. We don't compare every product in the market, and we may earn a commission if you take up a product through our links.
What to watch for
- Riding a motorbike yourself on an Australian licence or IDP is not permitted, and claims will likely be denied.
- If you take a motorbike tour, ride pillion with a licensed rider and check the policy covers it.
- Evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore is expensive; make sure it is covered.
- Check your policy covers Ha Long Bay boat trips and how it defines a cruise.
- Get your e-visa before you fly; there is no visa on arrival for Australians.
Common questions
Do I need travel insurance for Vietnam?
You should, even though it isn't an entry requirement. Care outside the main cities is limited, payment is expected before treatment, and serious cases are evacuated to Bangkok or Singapore at great expense.
Can I ride a motorbike in Vietnam with an Australian licence?
No. Smartraveller says you are not allowed to drive or ride on an Australian licence or an Australian-issued IDP. A Vietnamese licence is required for motorcycles of 50cc or more, and your insurer will likely deny claims if you are unlicensed.
Is credit card travel insurance enough for Vietnam?
Check before you rely on it. Smartraveller warned in October 2026 that several Australian banks are reducing or removing the travel insurance on their credit cards, and that you may have lost cover for medical expenses, cancellations, luggage or rental car excess. Read your card's current PDS for activation rules, trip length and medical limits, and compare it with a comprehensive policy for Vietnam.
Who is the best company to buy travel insurance from?
No company is best for every trip. Compare comprehensive policies on the overseas medical and evacuation limits, how they treat your pre-existing conditions, the motorcycle and activity terms, and cancellation cover that matches what you have prepaid, then compare price.
Does travel insurance cover motorbike tours in Vietnam?
Riding yourself is unlikely to be covered because you cannot be licensed. Riding as a pillion passenger with a licensed local rider may be covered; check the policy's motorcycle conditions, including helmets.
Do Australians need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. Australians need a visa, usually the e-visa, which allows stays of up to 90 days with single or multiple entry. There is no visa on arrival for Australians.