While recently traveling in Hanoi, Vietnam, our son became very ill and wasn’t recovering as he usually would. It’s every parent’s worst nightmare and compound it by being in a foreign country even more foreign than the one you already live in. It can be difficult without diagnostic tests to understand what ailment you are suffering with and how to proceed, so we took the better safe than sorry approach. It had me wishing I was more prepared for a medical emergency when traveling. So I put together a thorough guide to understanding travel medical safety and how to prepare for the unexpected medical emergency before you ever leave.
Once we knew my son needed medical help, we discussed our options and decided to proceed to a local foreigner friendly medical clinic. At first, I asked the concierge of our hotel which clinic they recommended (they were so helpful and called ahead to get us an appointment as well) and then we confirmed with the state department on the way to the clinic that it was one of the locations they recommend as well.
Spoiler: He’s fine! Here he is before and after, feeling much better with the help of some very kind nurses in Hanoi and a very delicious milkshake!
Before You Go: Preparation is Key
The best way to handle a medical situation abroad is to plan ahead. Here’s what you should do before your trip:
✅ 1. Schedule a Pre-Travel Health Check
If necessary, visit your doctor or a travel health clinic at least 4–6 weeks before departure. Discuss any needed vaccinations based on your destination, and refill prescriptions to take with you. Read up on what medical issues are circulating in your destination. The nurses at the hospital asked me where we had come from and then told me what was circulating in the area.
✅ 2. Pack a Travel Health Kit in your Carry-On Baggage
Include all the main essentials: I like this pre-packed version from Roam Well.
- Pain relievers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
- Prescription medications (in original packaging)
- Basic first aid (bandages, antiseptic, tweezers)
- Anti-diarrhea and motion sickness meds
- Copies of your prescriptions and health insurance information
✅ 3. Register with the State Department
If you’re a U.S. citizen, sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). It provides important safety updates and helps the embassy contact you in an emergency. Knowing the political climate, any circulating medical issues or any on-going travel advisories helps you make educated decisions both before you go and once you are in country.
🔗 Enroll in STEP
You can also check health and safety advisories by country at the official U.S. Department of State – Travel Site.
What to Do If You Get Sick While Abroad
This is something everyone wants to avoid, but unfortunately, it happens to many of us at some point. We were able to ask our hotel front desk for a medical clinic recommendation and then confirm it was a state department recommended clinic when we were on the way via taxi. (shoutout to that poor cabi, he didn’t see us at our best). It was a quick realization that I should have had quick access to this information before I actually needed it. For those that find themselves in a similar situation, here are some ways to handle it:
🏥 1. Find Trusted Medical Facilities
Start by contacting your hotel concierge, local embassy, or a reliable expat group online (like in Facebook communities). You can also use the Smart Traveler app or contact your travel insurance provider for recommendations.
Smart Traveler App: Includes Travel Medical Safety Information
Description:
Official app from the U.S. Department of State providing information on travel advisories, embassies, and local laws. You can call your consular services and receive information on medical clinics in your area. Tip: Enable notifications for real-time travel alerts specific to your destination.
Download Links:
📱 Android: Smart Traveler on Google Play
🍎 iOS: Smart Traveler on the App Store
Always Look for medical facilities that:
- Speak your language (or offer interpreters)
- Are internationally accredited
- Have good online reviews or come recommended by official tourism sites
📞 2. Contact Your Embassy
Your local embassy or consulate can help you locate doctors, hospitals, or arrange medical evacuations if needed.
🔗 Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates
🩺 3. Keep Records
Request written records of your diagnosis and treatment. These are essential for follow-up care and insurance claims. Ask to get your records in English is possible, and make sure you get a fully itemized receipt.
Travel Insurance. The Pros, Cons and When It Is Necessary for Travel Medical Safety
This incident cost a pretty penny out of pocket (which we were happy to pay for emergency care), with no real idea if we would be reimbursed from our regular insurance. It got me really considering travel insurance, something I have long not bothered with. I went on a deep dive of the pros/cons and costs. Do I really need travel insurance? The answer is ‘It depends’.
✅ The Pros of Travel Insurance
- Medical Emergencies Abroad
- One of the biggest reasons to buy travel insurance is coverage for medical issues. If you get sick or injured while abroad, your regular health insurance may not cover you.
- Travel insurance can cover hospital stays, doctor visits, emergency evacuations, and even repatriation.
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption
- If you have to cancel your trip due to illness, a family emergency, or unforeseen events like natural disasters, travel insurance can reimburse non-refundable costs like flights, hotels, and tours.
- Lost, Delayed, or Damaged Baggage
- Airlines are not always responsible for lost or damaged luggage. Travel insurance can help cover the costs of replacing essential items or even reimburse you for lost valuables.
- Travel Assistance Services
- Many policies include 24/7 emergency support, legal aid, translation services, and help locating medical care.
⚠️ The Cons of Travel Insurance
- It Can Be Expensive
- For budget travelers, travel insurance can feel like an extra cost that cuts into the fun money. The cost typically ranges from 4–10% of your total trip cost, depending on your age, destination, length of trip, and coverage level.
- Exclusions and Fine Print
- Not all policies cover pre-existing conditions, certain adventure sports, or pandemics unless specified. Always read the fine print.
- Claim Denials
- Claims can be denied for vague or poorly documented reasons. Filing a successful claim often requires thorough paperwork and follow-ups.
- May Overlap with Existing Coverage
- You might already have some travel benefits through your credit card, health insurance, or airline. In that case, buying extra coverage may not be necessary.
🧭 When Should You Consider Buying Travel Insurance?
You should seriously consider travel insurance if:
- You’re traveling internationally, especially to a country where healthcare is expensive or not easily accessible.
- You’ve pre-paid for expensive tours, flights, or accommodations.
- You’re traveling during a volatile time (e.g., hurricane season, political unrest).
- You’re going on a long or multi-country trip.
- You or your travel companions have existing health conditions.
- You plan on doing high-risk activities like skiing, diving, or trekking.
🧳 When Might You Skip Travel Insurance?
It may not be necessary if:
- You’re taking a short, domestic trip with flexible bookings.
- You already have strong credit card travel protections.
- You’re traveling light with no expensive pre-booked items.
- Your destination offers free or affordable healthcare for tourists.
💰 What Does Travel Insurance Typically Cost?
Travel insurance is usually priced based on the trip cost, traveler’s age, and destination. On average:
- Basic coverage: $40–$80 for a $1,000–$2,000 trip.
- Comprehensive coverage: $100–$200 or more for trips with higher costs or longer durations.
🌍 Trusted Travel Insurance Providers
Here are a few travel insurance companies well-known for their reliability and coverage options:
- World Nomads
Ideal for adventurous travelers with customizable coverage for over 200 activities.
https://www.worldnomads.com - EKTA
For everyone ages 3-85. You will receive your insurance policy by email within 2-3 minutes. There is a multilingual technical support chat 24/7.
https://ektatraveling.com - Allianz Travel Insurance
Reputable and widely accepted. Offers annual multi-trip plans for frequent travelers.
https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com - IMG Global
Known for international health insurance and emergency services.
https://www.imglobal.com
✈️ Final Thoughts on Travel Insurance and the Whole Experience
Travel insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. For some travelers, it’s a must-have; for others, it’s an extra they can afford to skip. The key is to assess your trip type, risk tolerance, and what’s already covered through your credit cards or health insurance.
If the cost of an unexpected emergency would ruin your trip—or your finances—then travel insurance is definitely worth considering. Our son’s illness almost had us bagging the rest of our trip, with the majority still to come. We would have lost all our money for tours, hotels and changed flights. Fortunately, he had a quick turnaround and we were able to continue on and have some much needed fun. However, I will be considering insurance for our next adventure. Travel medical safety isn’t something I spent a lot of time thinking about, but after this experience, I realize the value in being prepared, sometimes it comes up when you least expect it.
