Getting into an accident while traveling is a stressful experience. If this happens in Vietnam, it’s important to act calmly and follow a clear set of steps.
Here is a guide on what to do, from immediate actions to dealing with insurance and authorities.
Key Emergency Numbers in Vietnam
Save these numbers to your phone right away.
- Police: 113
- Fire/Emergency Help: 114
- Ambulance / Medical Emergency: 115
Note: Operators on these lines will likely speak Vietnamese. If you don’t speak the language, use an app like Google Translate to communicate, or ask a local person or your hotel staff to help you make the call.
Step 1: Immediate Actions at the Scene
- Prioritize Safety: Your first priority is safety. If you are in a traffic accident, move to a safe location off the road, if possible, to avoid further incidents.
- Check for Injuries: Assess yourself and others involved.
- Call for Help:
- If anyone is injured, call $115$ (Ambulance) immediately.
- For any traffic accident, theft, or assault, you must call the $113$ (Police).
Step 2: Get Medical Attention
- Choose the Right Facility:
- Minor Injuries: For scrapes, minor cuts, or small bruises, it is fine to visit a local health station (trạm y tế).
- Serious Injuries: For anything serious (broken bones, deep wounds, head injuries, etc.), you must go to a hospital (bệnh viện). Do not mistake a local health station for a hospital, as they are not equipped for emergencies.
- Know Your Hospital Options:
- Public/Normal Hospitals: These are widely available. However, they are often very crowded, and you will likely encounter few English-speaking staff.
- International/Private Hospitals: Found in major cities (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang), these are the recommended choice for travelers. You can expect English-speaking doctors and staff, less crowding, and modern facilities, but the cost is significantly higher.
- Seek Treatment: Go to the hospital or clinic. If you are alone and need help, don’t hesitate to ask locals. Many are willing to help, and you can use Google Translate to explain your situation.
- Expect Upfront Payment: Be prepared to pay for medical services in cash or by card upfront. Public hospitals and most clinics do not bill insurance companies directly.
- Keep All Documents: This is critical. You must get and keep copies of everything:
- The official medical report (ask for an English translation if possible).
- All itemized bills and receipts for treatment, medication, and hospital stays.
- Prescriptions for any medication.Your insurance company will require this documentation to process your claim.
- Note on Hospital Stays: Hospitals in Vietnam generally do not provide food for patients. You will need to buy it yourself from the hospital cafeteria (if one exists) or from nearby restaurants and food stalls. If you are alone and unable to move, you can often ask staff or even other patients’ family members for help, and they may assist you in buying food.
Step 3: Call Your Travel Insurance Provider
This is one of the most important steps.
- Call Immediately: Contact your travel insurance provider’s 24/7 emergency assistance hotline as soon as possible. Your policy may require you to notify them within 24 hours of an incident.
- Ask for Guidance: Explain your situation. They will tell you what your policy covers and what steps to take next.
- Ask About “Direct Billing”: Ask your insurer if they have any “direct billing” agreements with hospitals in your location (usually the international/private ones). This would allow the hospital to bill the insurance company directly, so you don’t have to pay thousands of dollars upfront.
Step 4: Report to the Police (113)
For insurance purposes and for any legal issues, a police report is essential.
- File a Report: If you haven’t already, go to the nearest police station to file an official report, especially in cases of traffic accidents, theft, or assault.
- Document Everything:
- Photos: Take photos of the accident scene, any vehicle damage (including license plates), and your injuries.
- Information: Get the names, phone numbers, addresses, and license plate numbers of anyone else involved.
- Witnesses: If there are witnesses, try to get their contact information.
- Get a Copy: Get a copy of the official, written police report. Your insurance provider will almost certainly require this to process your claim.
Step 5: Contact Your Embassy or Consulate
You don’t need to call your embassy for a minor incident, but you should contact them in serious situations:
- You are seriously injured and hospitalized.
- You are arrested or detained.
- You are a victim of a serious crime.
- Your passport is lost or stolen during the incident.
Your embassy cannot pay your medical bills or give you legal advice, but they can provide a list of local English-speaking doctors and lawyers, help you contact your family back home, and assist with an emergency passport.
Important Considerations for Traffic Accidents
Traffic accidents, especially with motorbikes, are common in Vietnam. The situation can be complex for foreigners.
- On-the-Spot Settlements: For minor motorbike accidents, it is very common to negotiate and pay for damages in cash on the spot. While this is often the fastest way to resolve a minor issue, it can be risky as you may be overcharged, and you will have no official report for insurance.
- Police Involvement: In a more serious accident, the police will come to the scene. They may confiscate the passports and vehicles of everyone involved (including yours) until fault is determined and an agreement on compensation is reached.
- Rental Vehicle Insurance: Be aware that most local motorbike rental shops provide no insurance for the bike or for third-party liability. You are typically responsible for all damages.
- Legal Process: The Vietnamese legal system heavily focuses on compensating for actual, documented damages (like medical bills and repair costs) rather than “pain and suffering.”