Vietnam emergency checklist (printable)

Print this page before you travel. Keep one copy in your bag and leave one with someone at home. The goal is to have every critical number and document reference in one place so that in a stressful moment you are not searching your phone.

Before you fly — embassy registration

Most countries operate a free online registration service for citizens travelling abroad. Registering takes five minutes and means your government knows you are in Vietnam if a natural disaster, civil emergency, or family crisis occurs.

• Register with your government travel portal (UK: FCDO; US: STEP; AU: Smartraveller; CA: Registration of Canadians Abroad)
• Note your registration confirmation number here: _______________
• Read your government's current Vietnam travel advisory
• Check the safety overview for a local risk summary

Insurance — what to print

Do not rely on a digital copy alone. Phones die, get stolen, or lose signal.

• Print the one-page policy summary showing policy number, coverage limits, and the 24-hour emergency assistance number
• Write the emergency assistance number here: _______________
• Confirm your policy covers medical evacuation — this is the expensive item if you need it
• Confirm your policy covers motorbike riding if you plan to ride (many standard policies exclude it)
• Note the claim submission email or portal URL here: _______________
• If your insurer requires pre-authorisation for hospital admission, note that process here: _______________

Medical information to carry

A simple card in your wallet, written in both English and Vietnamese, can help hospital staff treat you faster.

• Blood type: _______________
• Known allergies (especially medication): _______________
• Current prescription medications (generic names, not just brand names): _______________
• Any chronic conditions relevant to emergency care: _______________
• Name and phone number of a person to contact in an emergency: _______________
• Your travel insurance policy number (repeat from above): _______________

You can ask a pharmacist or a translation app to render the Vietnamese version — accuracy matters here, so verify with a second source before printing.

Key Vietnamese numbers

See the full emergency numbers page for detail on each service. The core numbers to carry are below.

• Police: 113
• Fire: 114
• Ambulance: 115
• Tourist police hotline (Hanoi): 1800 599 920 (toll-free, reportedly English-speaking)
• Tourist police hotline (Ho Chi Minh City): 08 38 27 79 31

Write any local numbers for your specific destination here: _______________

Embassy and consulate numbers

Find your embassy's after-hours emergency line before you need it. Most embassies have a duty officer available 24 hours for genuine emergencies involving citizens.

• Your country's embassy in Hanoi — name and 24-hour number: _______________
• Your country's consulate in Ho Chi Minh City (if different): _______________
• US Embassy Hanoi: +84 24 3850 5000
• British Embassy Hanoi: +84 24 3936 0500
• Australian Embassy Hanoi: +84 24 3774 0100
• Canadian Embassy Hanoi: +84 24 3734 5000

If you are not from one of the above countries, look up your embassy at your government website and write the number in the blank fields above.

Bank emergency lines

• Card 1 — bank name and international lost/stolen number: _______________
• Card 2 — bank name and international lost/stolen number: _______________
• Note how much emergency cash (USD or EUR) you carry as backup: _______________
• Confirm whether your bank allows international transfers via app in case you need funds from home: _______________

ATMs in Vietnam dispense Vietnamese dong. Most international cards work, but daily limits vary. Having a second card from a different network is a reasonable precaution.

Document copies

Keep digital copies in cloud storage and physical copies in a separate bag or money belt.

• Passport photo page (copy)
• Vietnam visa or e-visa approval letter (copy)
• Travel insurance certificate (copy)
• International driving permit if applicable (copy)
• Yellow fever certificate if applicable (copy)
• Hotel booking confirmation for your first night — police may ask for this at check-in
• Return flight confirmation

What to do if you lose your passport

The lost passport procedure page covers this in detail. In brief:

1. File a police report at the nearest police station — you will need this for the replacement application.
2. Contact your embassy immediately. Most can issue an emergency travel document within one to three working days for a fee, typically USD 50-150 depending on your country.
3. Do not book onward travel until you have confirmation of your new document timeline.
4. Keep your insurance insurer informed — some policies cover emergency document costs.

• I have read the full lost passport procedure and know my embassy location

What to do in a medical emergency

1. Call 115 for an ambulance or ask someone nearby to help you flag one down — response times outside major cities vary and are not guaranteed.
2. In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, international hospitals (Vinmec, FV Hospital, Hong Ngoc) generally have English-speaking staff and accept insurer direct billing. Most cases are handled at these facilities for foreigners; government hospitals are cheaper but language barriers are common.
3. Call your insurer's emergency assistance line before or shortly after hospital admission.
4. Keep all receipts and reports — you will need them for the claim.

• I know the name of the nearest international hospital to my accommodation: _______________

What to do in a crime emergency

1. Move to a safe location first.
2. Call 113 for police or go to the nearest police station.
3. Ask for an interpreter if needed — tourist police in major cities are more likely to have English speakers.
4. File a written report. Get a stamped copy — insurers require it.
5. Call your embassy if the situation involves serious harm, detention, or if you feel local authorities are not helping.
6. Call your insurer if property was stolen.

• I know the address of the nearest police station to my accommodation: _______________

Related

• Full emergency numbers reference
• Lost passport procedure step by step
• Vietnam safety overview
• Vietnam visa and entry requirements
• Health and vaccinations for Vietnam