Vietnam's 115 at a glance: the essentials
- What it is: the national medical emergency and ambulance number, run under the Ministry of Health framework by provincial emergency centres.
- The call: free, and it works from any mobile, including a foreign SIM on roaming.
- The answer: usually in Vietnamese. Basic English is possible in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but do not count on it.
- The bill: ambulance transport and on-board care are generally billed. Hospital treatment is separate.
- The destination: by default, the nearest suitable public hospital.
The single most useful shortcut: ask a hotel receptionist, a Grab driver or any Vietnamese bystander to make the call. A local voice on the line saves minutes that matter.
All emergency numbers in Vietnam
| Number | Service | When to use | Cost to call | English likely? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 115 | Medical emergency, ambulance | Injury, illness, unconsciousness, severe bleeding | Free | Sometimes in big cities |
| 113 | Police | Crime, public order, traffic crash report | Free | Limited |
| 114 | Fire and rescue | Fire, people trapped, drowning rescue, building collapse | Free | Limited |
| 112 | Search and rescue | Missing persons, disaster rescue at sea or in mountains | Free | Limited |
| 111 | Child protection hotline | Child abuse or a child in danger | Free | Limited |
| 1900 9095 | Ministry of Health hotline | Complaints and feedback about health services, not emergencies | Standard call rate | Vietnamese |
A plan to merge 113, 114 and 115 into a single 112 number has been under discussion for years. Check the current status before you travel, and assume 115 remains the medical number unless you are told otherwise on the ground.
Save your own country's embassy consular emergency line before arrival. Most run a 24/7 number for citizens arrested, hospitalized or caught in a disaster.
Who runs 115: the Ministry of Health and the provincial centres
The Ministry of Health sets the national framework for pre-hospital emergency care. In practice, 115 is operated by provincial emergency centres (Trung tâm Cấp cứu 115) under each provincial Department of Health. Fleet size, staffing and fees vary by location, which is why the same number produces very different service in Hanoi and in a mountain district.
The July 2025 administrative merger cut Vietnam to 34 provincial-level units. Hoi An now falls under Da Nang city, Ha Giang is part of Tuyen Quang, and Phu Quoc sits in An Giang. Centre names and catchments may have shifted with the redrawing of boundaries, so verify locally.
One naming trap catches travelers repeatedly. People's Hospital 115 (Bệnh viện Nhân dân 115) in Ho Chi Minh City is a hospital, not the dispatch centre. They share a number and nothing else.
Why service differs between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and rural districts
Big cities run satellite ambulance stations and can sometimes reach a scene in 15 to 30 minutes. Rural districts rely on the district health centre, which may have one vehicle covering a large area. Vietnamese press has reported chronic ambulance and staff shortages in Ho Chi Minh City's 115 system, particularly at night and during peak demand. Take that as context, not alarm: the system works, but it is stretched.
How to call 115 step by step
Before you dial
Check the scene is safe, especially at a road crash where traffic keeps moving. Get your exact location, ideally a map pin. Find a Vietnamese speaker if one is within reach.
What the dispatcher will ask
- The address or location, with a landmark.
- What happened and the patient's condition: conscious? breathing? bleeding?
- How many victims.
- A call-back number.
Keep the phone free afterwards. Crews often call back to find the exact spot, and a line that rings out costs time.
If you don't speak Vietnamese
Open with "người nước ngoài" (foreigner) and speak slowly in simple English. Some urban dispatchers have basic English. Do not build a plan around it. Better options, in order of speed: ask a local to call, use a translation app's conversation mode, or have hotel staff call. Most hotels will do this without hesitation.
Giving a Vietnamese address that an ambulance can find
Vietnamese addresses confuse visitors because they nest. A number like 12/34/5 means house 5, down alley 34, off street 12. In the south you will see hẻm (alley); in Hanoi, ngõ and ngách (lane and sub-lane); in central Vietnam, kiệt. Ward names changed after the 2025 administrative reforms, so an old name on your booking may not match the new signage.
- Share a Google Maps pin or GPS coordinates by SMS or Zalo.
- Name a visible landmark: a pagoda, a market, a bank branch.
- Send someone to the alley entrance to wave the ambulance in.
Calling without a local SIM or credit
Emergency numbers are free, and calls from roaming foreign SIMs connect. Whether a call connects with no SIM at all depends on the handset and the network. Buy a local SIM or eSIM anyway: the ambulance crew needs a Vietnamese number to call back, and that alone justifies the few dollars.
Vietnamese phrases for a medical emergency
| English | Vietnamese | Simple pronunciation | When to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency | Cấp cứu | gup cuu | Shout it, or open the call with it |
| Please call an ambulance for me | Gọi xe cấp cứu giúp tôi | goy se gup cuu zoop toy | Handing your phone to a bystander |
| Someone has had an accident | Có người bị tai nạn | gaw nguoy bee tie nan | Road crash, fall |
| Unconscious | Bất tỉnh | but tin | Describing the patient |
| Difficulty breathing | Khó thở | kaw tuh | Describing the patient |
| Heavy bleeding | Chảy máu nhiều | chai mow nyew | Describing the patient |
| Chest pain | Đau ngực | dow ngook | Describing the patient |
| I am allergic to... | Tôi bị dị ứng với... | toy bee zee ung voy | Before any medication |
| The address is... | Địa chỉ là... | dee-a chee la | Giving location |
| Where is the nearest hospital? | Bệnh viện gần nhất ở đâu? | ben vee-en gun nyut uh dow | Asking a driver or passer-by |
Screenshot this table before you leave the hotel wifi. In a crisis you will not be scrolling.
What happens after the call
Response times in cities and the countryside
In central Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, expect 15 to 30 minutes, and longer at rush hour (roughly 7:00 to 9:00 and 16:30 to 19:00) or in heavy rain. In rural and mountain areas, an hour or more is realistic. Treat all of these as indicative: no national response-time data is published, and the range reflects what Vietnamese press and provincial reports describe.
Who comes and what equipment to expect
Crew composition varies. Typically a doctor or nurse plus a driver. Equipment ranges from basic first aid and oxygen in smaller provinces to advanced life support in the big city centres. If the patient needs a ventilator or cardiac monitoring, the nearest capable public hospital is the right destination regardless of comfort.
Which hospital you will be taken to
The default is the nearest appropriate public hospital. For stable patients, crews may agree to a private or international hospital, sometimes at extra cost. In life-threatening cases they will go to the nearest capable facility, and asking for anything else wastes time.
For severe trauma, major public centres such as Viet Duc and Bach Mai in Hanoi, and Cho Ray in Ho Chi Minh City, are often the best place to be, even if they are crowded and less comfortable than a private clinic.
Alternatives to 115: hospital ambulances, private ambulances and taxis
| Option | Typical response in cities | Indicative cost | Where it takes you | Best for | Risks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 115 ambulance | 15 to 30 min | Provincial fee schedule, billed after | Nearest public hospital | Life-threatening cases | Language barrier, variable equipment |
| International hospital ambulance | 20 to 40 min | Higher, billed | That hospital | Stable patients with insurance | May refuse if far or overloaded |
| Licensed private ambulance | 20 to 45 min | VND 500,000 to 2,000,000 (USD 20 to 77) in-city | Your choice | Inter-city transfer, repatriation | Verify licence and branding |
| Grab or taxi | 5 to 15 min | VND 50,000 to 150,000 (USD 2 to 6) | Your choice | Stable minor cases | No medical care en route |
International hospitals' own ambulance lines
Many private hospitals run 24/7 ambulance numbers, including Vinmec, FV Hospital and Hanoi French Hospital. Save the number for the nearest one in each city on your itinerary, alongside 115. For a stable patient with insurance, this is often the smoother path.
Private ambulance services and the unlicensed ambulance problem
Licensed private operators exist and are useful for inter-provincial transfers and medical repatriation. Vietnamese media have also widely reported unlicensed "xe cấp cứu dù" vehicles. Documented problems include inflated prices, steering patients to specific clinics, and poorly equipped vehicles.
Look for hospital or company branding and a visible licence number. Where the situation allows, ask the price before departure.
When a Grab or taxi is the smarter choice
A Grab or taxi suits conscious, stable patients in cities: minor fractures, a deep cut, high fever, food poisoning. In Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City traffic it is often faster than waiting for an ambulance.
It is never the right choice for suspected spinal injury, unconsciousness, severe bleeding, chest pain or breathing difficulty.
What emergency care costs and how payment works
Foreigners are generally expected to pay, and many are surprised by this.
Ambulance fees
The 115 call is free. Transport and on-board care are billed according to provincial fee schedules, so the amount varies by province. Ask the crew or the hospital billing desk for the schedule. For private ambulances, an in-city trip typically runs VND 500,000 to 2,000,000 (USD 20 to 77). Long-distance inter-provincial transfers can reach several million VND.
Hospital deposits and upfront payment
Public hospitals commonly request an advance payment (tạm ứng) on admission, often a few million VND. International hospitals may require a deposit or a guarantee of payment from your insurer. An indicative international ER visit before tests runs VND 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 (USD 77 to 190). Verify current pricing with the hospital.
Travel insurance, direct billing and medical evacuation
Call your insurer's 24/7 assistance line early. Many policies require notification within 24 to 48 hours. Ask whether the hospital accepts direct billing, and keep every receipt and medical report. Medical evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore can cost USD 20,000 to 100,000 or more, so evacuation cover matters more than the daily hospital benefit.
Vietnamese health insurance (BHYT) for residents
Foreign residents on labour contracts are usually enrolled in BHYT. Tourists are not covered. If you hold a BHYT card and are admitted as an emergency, show the card plus photo ID before discharge to receive full benefits. This is the one topic the government pages actually explain, and it is worth knowing if you live in Vietnam rather than visit.
Hospitals that treat foreign patients, by destination
Names, addresses and ambulance numbers change. Verify before you rely on any of these.
Hanoi
Public: Bach Mai Hospital, Viet Duc University Hospital. Private or international: Hanoi French Hospital, Vinmec Times City, Family Medical Practice.
Ho Chi Minh City
Public: Cho Ray Hospital, People's Hospital 115. Private or international: FV Hospital, Vinmec Central Park, Family Medical Practice.
Da Nang and Hoi An
Public: Da Nang Hospital. Private or international: Vinmec Da Nang, Family Hospital, plus private clinics in Hoi An. Hoi An sits under Da Nang city since the 2025 merger, so transfers between the two are short.
Nha Trang and Phu Quoc
Nha Trang: the provincial general hospital and Vinmec Nha Trang. Phu Quoc: Vinmec Phu Quoc. Serious cases on islands may need transfer to the mainland, which is where evacuation cover earns its keep.
Sapa, Ha Giang and other mountain areas
District health centres handle first response, and provincial general hospitals handle more serious cases. Road transfer to Hanoi typically takes 5 to 7 hours. Ask your trek or tour operator about their evacuation procedure before booking.
Common emergencies travelers face in Vietnam
| Situation | First action | Call 115 or take a taxi? | Key warning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorbike crash | Secure the scene, check breathing | 115 if head injury, unconsciousness or heavy bleeding | Motorbike crashes are the leading cause of serious injury to tourists |
| Drowning or rip current | Get the patient out, start CPR if trained | 115, and 114 for water rescue | Rip currents are a real risk at Da Nang, Mui Ne and Nha Trang beaches |
| Heatstroke | Move to shade, cool the body | 115 if confused or unconscious | Dehydration escalates fast in the hot season |
| Suspected dengue | Fluids, paracetamol only | Taxi to hospital for blood tests | Avoid ibuprofen and aspirin if dengue is suspected |
| Methanol poisoning | Stop drinking, get to hospital now | 115 | Bootleg spirits have caused repeated cases in Vietnam |
| Food poisoning | Rehydrate | Taxi unless severe | Most cases resolve in 24 to 48 hours |
| Animal bite | Wash the wound thoroughly | Taxi to hospital immediately | Rabies is present in Vietnam; post-exposure vaccination is urgent |
| Allergic reaction | Antihistamine if mild | 115 if breathing is affected | Carry your own medication if you have known allergies |
Remote areas, islands and seasonal risks
Coverage thins sharply outside cities.
Ha Giang loop, Sapa treks, Phong Nha caves and islands
Distances to the nearest hospital are long, and mobile signal is patchy on mountain passes. Guided treks and cave tours usually have their own evacuation procedures. Ask about them before booking.
Typhoon and flood season in central Vietnam
The usual period runs roughly September to December, peaking October to November. Flooding can cut roads and delay ambulances in Hue, Da Nang, Quang Ngai and the central highlands. Build a buffer into any tight itinerary in those months.
Tet and public holidays
Tet, the Lunar New Year, brings reduced staffing at clinics and pharmacies, and a well-documented spike in road accidents and alcohol-related emergencies. Stock essential medication beforehand, and do not plan to refill a prescription on the first three days of the holiday.
Legal and insurance pitfalls after an accident
Motorbike licences and insurance exclusions
Vietnam accepts the 1968 Convention international driving permit (IDP) or a Vietnamese licence. IDPs issued under the 1949 Convention, including those from the United States, are not valid for riding here. Many insurers refuse claims for unlicensed riding or riding without a helmet. Check both the licence rule and your policy wording before you rent.
Alcohol
The rule for drivers and riders is zero alcohol. Fines under Decree 168/2024 reach up to VND 10,000,000 (USD 385) for motorbike riders at the highest alcohol levels, plus licence point deductions. Alcohol involvement can also void your insurance, which turns a crash into a financial problem as well as a medical one.
At the scene of a crash
On-the-spot compensation negotiations are common, and foreigners may be pressured to pay regardless of fault. Police may hold passports pending resolution. Do not leave the scene. Request a police report (biên bản), because insurers often require one. Contact your embassy if you are detained.
Nuisance and prank calls
Vietnam's 115 centres receive large volumes of prank calls, and fines apply for harassing emergency lines. Dispatchers may be cautious with unclear calls, so speak calmly and give precise facts.
Before you travel: an emergency preparation checklist
- Save 115, 113, 114, your embassy number and your insurer's assistance line in your phone.
- Save the nearest international hospital's ambulance number for each city on your itinerary.
- Buy a local SIM or eSIM so crews can call you back.
- Carry a card in Vietnamese with your blood type, allergies, medications and hotel address.
- Screenshot the phrase table above.
- Check that your policy covers motorbike riding and medical evacuation.
- Visit a travel clinic for rabies and other recommended vaccines.
- Keep some cash for hospital deposits.
FAQ
Q: Is 115 free to call in Vietnam? A: Yes, the call is free from any phone, including a foreign SIM on roaming. Ambulance transport and on-board treatment are usually billed afterwards under provincial fee schedules. Hospital care is paid separately, often with a deposit.
Q: Do 115 operators speak English? A: Not reliably. Some urban dispatchers have basic English, but the fastest approach is to have a Vietnamese speaker make the call: hotel staff, a driver, a bystander. If that is impossible, use simple words, say "người nước ngoài" and share a map pin.
Q: Can I choose which hospital the ambulance takes me to? A: For stable patients, crews may agree to a private or international hospital, sometimes at extra cost. In life-threatening cases they will take the patient to the nearest capable public hospital. For severe trauma, that is often the right choice anyway.
Q: Is it faster to take a taxi or Grab to hospital? A: For conscious, stable patients in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City traffic, often yes. For unconsciousness, chest pain, breathing problems, heavy bleeding or a possible spinal injury, always call an ambulance.
Q: What number do I call for a drowning or a road accident with trapped people? A: Call 115 for medical help and 114 for rescue, covering trapped victims and water rescue. For crashes, call 113 for police so that an official report exists for insurance.
Q: Will my travel insurance cover a motorbike accident in Vietnam? A: Only if the policy includes motorbike riding and you hold a valid licence, meaning a 1968 Convention IDP or a Vietnamese licence. Most policies also require a helmet and no alcohol. Many claims are refused on these grounds, so read the wording before riding.
Q: Is the Ministry of Health hotline 1900 9095 an emergency number? A: No. It handles complaints and feedback about health services. For emergencies, dial 115.
Q: Has Vietnam replaced 115 with 112? A: A consolidation of emergency numbers into 112 has been under discussion. Confirm the current status when you arrive. Unless you are told otherwise locally, 115 remains the medical number.
