Travel Insurance Vietnam
>> Travel Insurance Vietnam.
Heading to South East Asia or Vietnam in particular? It's an absolute that you don't leave Australia without travel insurance. Vietnam culture, the people, cities and country regions are exotic and hypnotic but it's still an emerging nation with challenged medical facilities.
Both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have international standard hospitals and medical and dental clinics, though there are some medical conditions that will still require evacuation. Outside these major cities health care for even comparatively minor accidents and general sickness is poor. Even a simple broken bone could require evacuation. Needless to say, if you don't have travel insurance to Vietnam, you will be footing the bill for what is a staggeringly expensive exercise.
Though you can pick up the basic emergency medical travel insurance, backpackers are still advised to consider more comprehensive cover. Districts such as the totally irresistible, must visit, markets are high risk areas for packs and bum bags etcetera, making cover for personal possessions, traveller's cheques, credit cards and cash a necessity.
iTrek specialise in cheap insurance options for travellers, 18 to 24, and backpackers, and offer four tailored levels of cover. iTrek ranges from the basic, but critical, emergency medical cover including emergency cash and personal liability plus essentials such as hospital case management, through to the highly recommended Platinum cover which includes unlimited trip cancellation and lost deposits, delayed travel and alternative transport, lost and stolen belongings and documents, delayed travel and more.
It's a top idea to read up on Vietnam in general, the customs and laws, health issues and warnings. Health warnings can change in Vietnam so keep up to date, check in with your local medical travel centre at least six weeks before you go.
For the latest information on destinations, customs and the local low down, check out the Lonely Planet Shoestring Guide for South East Asia... iTrek give you the opportunity to pick one up for FREE. With every 12-18 month policy, customers can pick their favourite guide from a choice of 11 destinations.
It's so simple and quick to go online to browse for your best travel insurance, compare policies and pick up quotes for travel insurance. Vietnam, while being a beautiful country that totally gets under your skin, does have numerous hazards any traveller needs to insure against, so don't skimp on this one and you'll enjoy yourself far more.
>> Times to Remember
- Don't forget the middle of the day is 'siesta' time in Vietnam and businesses such as banks close for around one and a half hours - usually from 11.30am to 1pm.
- Tet, the Vietnamese/China New Year is when the entire country shuts down in some form or another for three days. Either avoid this period in late January/early February or be prepared to work within its limits and enjoy the celebrations.
- The biennial SEA (South East Asian) Games is the event of the region and a great time to be in town if a Vietnamese team is in a semi final or final. In some districts and towns it's possible to walk down the street and not miss a moment of the games as every TV in every open-fronted house is tuned to the event.
