Further, many of the high tech and even sometimes basic procedures practiced in the U.S., Canada and Europe in the event of a heart attack or other medical emergency are not as readily available in Asia.  Therefore, medically before you travel, especially to some of the lesser developed areas of Asia, the most important thing you can do is to get medical insurance that will pay for a medical evacuation in the unlikely event that your require this service.  Every year thousands of Americans fall sick overseas only to find out that the local foreign hospital often requires payment upfront for medical services and that their medical insurance will not cover the cost of medical evacuation to the nearest western quality medical facility specializing in dealing with the medical condition that ails them.  The time to check your medical insurance and to correct this problem is NOW, before you travel.  Get additional insurance if necessary but ensure you have medical coverage that will protect you on your trip.

Medical Emergencies in SE Asia
insight on medical care, preparation and emergency

When traveling in Asia, have an adequate supply of any regular medications you take.  Also take headache medications, Band-Aids, ointment, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent if you are traveling to the tropics.  Chances are you will have a great trip and won’t have a problem but it is always better to be prepared so that your relatives aren’t required to try to assist you from around the world and you don’t have to deal with a medical emergency in a new and difficult environment. 
 

Make sure you review your vaccination record and get any necessary shots.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control determines recommended inoculations or shots for all countries visited.  Information on required inoculations for Asian countries can be secured at the websites below:

Website: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/eastasia.htm or 
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/seasia.htm

• Visa for Vietnam

• Hospitals in Hanoi
• Hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City

Website: http://travel.state.gov/lost_stolen.html

If you have read the security tips and other considerations of this page, you will have listed the numbers separately and be in a better position to quickly cancel your cards.  First steps should be to call the hotel operator and get the phone number of the local number for American Express, Diners, Mastercard and Visa.  If the hotel cannot provide this information, please call the U.S. Embassy Consular Section and they should be able to help you.  If your credit card company does not have an office in the country you are visiting, the best alternative is to call your family and have them call the U.S. number and cancel the card.  They can also inquire how and where you can get a new card reissued either in the country you are visiting or in a following stop.