Health and safety

Don't forget your travel insurance (2008, updated 2026)

In August 2008 we warned readers that a motorbike crash in Saigon with no insurance can mean a bill of thousands of pounds. That is still true in 2026, and many policies refuse motorbike claims if you were not properly licensed.

What we wrote in 2008

In August 2008 this page told the story of a friend who visited Saigon after a job on a yacht that had covered his insurance. One night he came off a motorbike and broke his jaw in five places. It meant six weeks with the jaw wired shut, metal plates and a medical bill of thousands of pounds, because he had no cover for the rest of his trip. The page also pointed to a newspaper report of a family left with a £25,000 bill after their son’s motorbike accident, because the insurer would not pay: he had no full motorcycle licence at home.

How things stand in 2026

The advice has not changed. Take insurance that covers medical treatment and evacuation, and keep the policy number and 24-hour assistance line on your phone. The licence question we asked in 2008 now has a clearer answer. Vietnam recognises only international driving permits issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention, the permit has to cover motorbikes, and a car-only licence does not (DayTrips Vietnam, 2026 guide). Fines for riding unlicensed rose sharply when new traffic penalties took effect on 1 January 2025, and many policies refuse a motorbike claim if you were unlicensed.

So read the wording, then decide. If you can’t ride legally and insured, take a taxi, a booked car or a train instead. Our health and safety guide covers hospitals, road safety and vaccines, and getting around Vietnam compares the options.

FAQ

Questions travellers ask us

Do I need travel insurance for Vietnam?

Vietnam does not require it for entry, but you should have it. Private hospitals are good in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi and are paid for upfront, and a serious injury or an evacuation to Singapore or Bangkok can cost thousands of dollars.

Does travel insurance cover motorbikes in Vietnam?

Only if the policy allows riding and you are licensed to ride. Many insurers refuse claims if you did not hold a valid motorcycle licence, so read the policy wording before you rent a bike.

Is an international driving permit enough to ride a motorbike?

Vietnam recognises only permits issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention, and the permit must cover motorbikes. Permits from countries that issue the older 1949 type, such as the US, Canada and Australia, are reported not to be valid. Check with your insurer and the rental shop.