Travel & Arrival FAQs for Dr. Koko Vietnam
Planning treatment abroad involves more than booking a flight. Start with a consultation, then discuss your appointment schedule, recovery needs and follow-up arrangements before organising your trip to Ho Chi Minh City.
Our international patient team assists with communication and coordination. Your surgeon determines medical suitability and provides individual recovery and travel guidance.
When should I book my flights?
Begin with your online consultation and initial assessment. Before purchasing tickets, discuss your proposed treatment, appointment availability and anticipated stay with the team.
Choose flexible travel arrangements where possible. Your treatment plan may change after in-person assessment or pre-operative checks, and your recovery may require a longer stay than expected.
Which airport should I fly into?
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) serves Ho Chi Minh City.
Confirm your appointment schedule and destination before booking. Check your arrival terminal with the airline and arrange transport to your accommodation in advance. Journey times vary with traffic and location.
Do you provide airport pickup?
Ask our international patient team whether an airport transfer is available for your dates and whether any charges apply. Transfers are not automatically included in every treatment plan.
If a transfer is arranged, confirm your flight number, arrival terminal, meeting point and contact person. Keep the contact details available and tell the team if your flight changes or is delayed.
Do I need a visa to visit Vietnam?
Entry requirements depend on your passport, nationality, purpose of visit and length of stay. Check the official Vietnam e-Visa portal or the Vietnamese embassy or consulate serving your country for current requirements.
Before travelling, check that your passport and any entry approval meet the requirements for your visit. Ensure the personal details, permitted entry point and dates are correct, and allow enough time for treatment and recovery.
Our international patient team cannot determine visa eligibility or guarantee approval or processing times.
How long should I stay in Vietnam?
Your recommended stay depends on your procedure, medical assessment, follow-up appointments and recovery.
Ask your surgeon about the anticipated schedule before booking accommodation and return flights. Allow flexibility if further monitoring or treatment is needed. There is no single recovery period suitable for every patient or procedure.
When can I fly home after surgery?
Your surgeon should assess your recovery and advise when you are medically fit to fly. Surgery and prolonged travel can increase blood-clot risk, so discuss your flight duration and individual risk factors.
Check whether your airline requires medical clearance or assistance arrangements. A planned departure date does not replace medical assessment.
Before leaving Vietnam, understand your follow-up plan and how to obtain care if a concern develops after you return home.
Can the team help me find accommodation?
Ask our international patient team what accommodation guidance or booking assistance is available for your dates.
Consider travel distance to appointments, accessibility, lift access and whether the room is suitable for your recovery needs. Before booking, check the total cost, cancellation terms and options for extending your stay.
Accommodation is not automatically included. Your individual quotation should explain any arrangements included in your treatment plan. A hotel does not replace medical monitoring or nursing care when these are required.
Should someone accompany me?
Discuss your support needs with your surgeon before travelling. Depending on your procedure and anaesthesia, you may need a responsible adult to accompany you after discharge and assist during recovery.
If a companion is coming, check accommodation, transport and facility visiting arrangements in advance. Any additional charges should be clarified before booking.
Can I travel alone?
Tell the team during consultation if you plan to travel alone. Your surgeon can assess whether this is appropriate for your treatment and explain the support you may need.
Arrange practical help before surgery, including transport after discharge and assistance at your accommodation where required. Our international patient team assists with coordination, but this does not automatically include a personal carer or continuous bedside support.
What should I pack?
Bring the essentials for your trip and follow any procedure-specific instructions from the team:
Your passport, entry documents and appointment details.
Relevant medical reports and an up-to-date medication list.
Prescribed medicines in their original packaging, subject to entry rules.
Comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for recovery.
Your phone, charger and important contact details.
Insurance documents, if applicable.
Check the rules for bringing medication into Vietnam and through any transit country. Ask whether you need specific garments or supplies and whether these are included in your quotation.
Do I need travel or medical insurance?
Check the policy terms carefully before booking. Standard travel insurance may exclude planned cosmetic surgery, related complications or changes to travel caused by treatment.
Ask the insurer directly about the cover you need and obtain written clarification. Plan how you would pay for unexpected medical care, additional accommodation or a changed flight if these are not covered.
What should I do when I arrive?
Let the international patient team know you have arrived and confirm your next appointment, location and any preparation instructions.
Report any new illness, symptoms or medication changes before treatment. Allow time for your in-person assessment and required checks rather than assuming surgery will take place immediately after arrival.
How should I plan my time in Ho Chi Minh City?
Keep your schedule focused on appointments and recovery. Ask your surgeon which activities are appropriate and when you can resume them.
Check current official travel advice, use reputable transport and keep important documents and valuables secure. Avoid committing to sightseeing or onward travel that could interfere with recovery or follow-up.
How do I start planning my visit?
Contact the Dr. Koko Vietnam international patient team through WhatsApp for a free online consultation. Share the procedure you are considering, your goals and any preferred travel dates.
The team will guide you through sending clear photos and relevant medical information for initial assessment. Procedure suitability, technique, treatment planning and an individual quotation are determined after consultation and assessment.