Pre-departure preparation for Vietnam · Practical steps and risk assessment
Emergency Response for Travel in Vietnam: Lost Passport, Credit Card Fraud, Illness, Accidents, and Emergency Contacts
What to do in Vietnam if you lose your passport, fall victim to credit card fraud, get sick, are involved in a traffic accident, or go missing? A guide to emergency numbers 112, 113, 114, 115, and the order of contact for the police, insurance providers, embassies/consulates, and travel agencies.
When a travel incident happens, knowing whom to call first and what to keep offline is more useful than memorizing every procedure. Emergency services in Vietnam may mainly use Vietnamese. Prepare your hotel's Vietnamese address, companions' phone numbers, insurance case number and local Chinese-language support to reduce communication time.
Quick Comparison: What to do first?
| Item / Situation | How to handle | When to confirm | Frequently asked questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Danger / Major Accident | 112 or relevant emergency service | Location, status of the injured, contact person, landmarks in Vietnamese | |
| Lost Passport | Police / Relevant authorities + Embassy/Consulate | Passport copy, photos, ID, report and itinerary | |
| Lost Card / Unauthorized Charges | Lock via issuing bank + police or merchant report | Transaction screenshots, last four digits of card, time and location | |
| Illness / Hospitalization | Medical facility + Insurance emergency center | Policy number, allergies, medication, diagnosis, and receipts | |
| Lost Phone | Telecom carrier, banking, email, and device management | Deactivate SIM, remote lock, update critical passwords | |
| Itinerary Disruption | Airline / Hotel / Travel agency + Insurance | Proof of new travel arrangements and non-refundable costs |
Follow this sequence to avoid missing anything
Contact the hotel, transport service, restaurant, or airport lost and found. Retrieve your passport number and a digital copy.
Report the loss to the police or relevant authorities as required by local regulations. Keep the case number and documentation; embassies/consulates usually require proof of identity and the loss report.
Requirements for emergency travel documents vary by country, including photos, fees, and processing time. After receiving new documents, confirm how to update your Vietnamese visa/departure records.
Use bank apps, customer service, or online banking to freeze cards. Take screenshots of unauthorized transactions and record the time of reporting.
Deactivate or reissue SIM, sign out of the lost device, and change passwords for email, banking, social media, and cloud accounts. Keep 2FA backup codes stored offline beforehand.
Apps like Grab, airline accounts, booking sites, and e-wallets may store your card and personal details; sign out or remove payment methods from other devices.
Keep information on chronic conditions, allergies, blood type, medications, and emergency contacts written in Chinese and English on your phone’s medical ID or a physical card.
For non-life-threatening situations involving hospitalization, transfer, or evacuation, contact your insurance emergency center promptly to secure hospital admissions and payment arrangements.
Diagnoses, prescriptions, test results, receipts, payment proofs, police reports, and records of travel/accommodation changes may all affect your insurance claim.
Pre-departure Checklist
- 112, 113, 114, 115 saved in your phone
- Hotel address in Vietnamese accessible offline
- Encrypted backups of passport and visa
- Embassy/Consulate phone numbers and addresses saved
- Bank and telecom customer service numbers reachable from abroad
- Insurance emergency contact, policy number, and coverage dates saved
- Companions and family informed of itinerary and accommodation
- Chronic condition, allergy, and medication information readily available
- Important accounts enabled with 2FA and backup codes saved
- System for syncing incident documentation, receipts, and communication logs
Useful portals to open before you go
Complete other pre-trip preparations
Related Travel Guides
Frequently asked questions
What are the emergency numbers in Vietnam?
Starting in 2025, Vietnam uses 112 as the national emergency line for incidents and disasters; 113 for police, 114 for fire, and 115 for medical emergencies. Language support may be limited; consider asking your hotel or a local resident to help explain your location.
Can I fly home with a lost passport?
Generally, you cannot board a flight with only a photocopy. You must contact your embassy or consulate to apply for emergency travel documents and confirm procedures with Vietnamese immigration regarding visa or departure records.
If my credit card is stolen, should I report to the police or lock the card first?
Lock the card immediately using the fastest available method to prevent further transactions, then obtain the necessary police, merchant, or transaction documentation required by your bank and insurance. The two actions are not mutually exclusive.
Can I use insurance directly when seeing a doctor in Vietnam?
This depends on the cooperation between the hospital and the insurance company, as well as pre-authorization. For general outpatient visits, you may need to pay upfront and claim later; for hospitalization or evacuation, contact the emergency assistance center as soon as possible.
Can a travel agency handle passport issues or medical claims?
Travel agencies can assist with translation, transportation, accommodation, and local coordination, but they cannot represent the police, embassies, medical institutions, or insurance companies in making formal decisions.