Air ambulance from Vietnam

Reviewed by the AirAmbulance.org editorial team · Updated 13 November 2026 · Editorial policy

How patients are flown home or to specialist care from Vietnam: the options, typical distances and flight times, and what to do first.

Medical flights from Vietnam

• Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have international hospitals, but complex cases are often moved to Singapore, Bangkok or home.
• Motorbike accidents are a common reason travellers need medical evacuation in Vietnam.

In an emergency

• Local emergency number in Vietnam: 115. Call it first for an ambulance; medical flights are arranged once the patient is in hospital.

Distances and flight times

• Ho Chi Minh City → Singapore (Singapore): about 1,090 km, 1 h 50 min flying. Usually non-stop for most medical jets.
• Ho Chi Minh City → Bangkok (Thailand): about 720 km, 1 h 25 min flying. Usually non-stop for most medical jets.
• Ho Chi Minh City → Sydney (Australia): about 6,850 km, 9 h 05 min flying. Usually one fuel stop, or non-stop in a long-range jet.
• Ho Chi Minh City → Los Angeles (USA): about 13,130 km, 16 h 55 min flying. Expect one or more fuel stops and possibly a crew change on a route this long.
• Ho Chi Minh City → London (UK): about 10,220 km, 13 h 15 min flying. Expect one or more fuel stops and possibly a crew change on a route this long.
• Times are direct-flight estimates for a medical jet; ground ambulance transfers and permits add time.

How a medical flight is arranged

• The treating doctor confirms the patient is stable enough to fly and writes a medical report.
• If there is travel insurance, call the insurer's 24-hour assistance number first: they usually decide between a commercial flight with an escort and an air ambulance, and arrange it.
• Without insurance, the family requests quotes; a bed at the receiving hospital must be confirmed before take-off.
• Bring passports for the patient and anyone travelling with them; some flights need landing permits, which take time to arrange.

Options from cheapest to most intensive

• Commercial flight with wheelchair assistance, if the patient can sit and needs no care on board.
• A nurse or doctor escort on a commercial flight, seated or on a stretcher.
• An air ambulance with an intensive-care team, for unstable or critically ill patients.
• See air ambulance costs or price the route with our cost calculator.

Route pages

• Air ambulance Ho Chi Minh City to Los Angeles

General information only, not medical, legal or insurance advice. Rules, coverage and prices change; confirm with your provider and insurer.