How to go to a Hospital in Vietnam

Going to a hospital in Vietnam is not quite the same as going to a hospital in the US. Here, you simply show up with your insurance card and the doctors take care of the rest. This is not always the case in Vietnam. Be prepared.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sterile needles
• Cash, credit card, or debit card
• List of allergies, medications, and immunizations
• Clean sheets
• A Translator
• Bottled water and snacks

1. Before you go to the hospital, pack your list of immunizations, allergies, and medications.

2. Stop by a pharmacy on your way to the hospital and buy sterile needles.

3. If you can, bring a translator. Do not rely on the hospital to provide English translations.

4. You will likely need to pay for the services up-front. Bring a combination of cash, a credit card, and/or a debit card. Get a receipt of payment to send to your health insurance company.

5. If you will be at the hospital overnight, take a close look at the sheets. You may want to have your own.

6. If you will be getting any shots-- or anything requiring needles, use your own. If this is not possible, ask the doctor to open a new package of needles in front of you.

7. Eat the snacks that you packed. The hospital food may actually make you even sicker as you are probably not accustomed to the bacterias that lurk around a local Vietnamese hospital.