Nz guide
New Zealand Patient Guide: Dental Treatment in Vietnam
The complete planning guide for New Zealand patients getting dental treatment in Vietnam: flights from AKL, WLG, CHC, e-visa rules, ACC limits, IRD position, travel insurance gaps, NZD payment, 10–14 day timeline, and GP fitness letters. Updated May 2026.
New Zealand patients planning dental treatment in Vietnam need nine things sorted before booking: a written NZD quote, return flights to Hanoi or Da Nang (Air New Zealand flies AKL–DAD direct), a 90-day Vietnam e-visa, a 10–14 day treatment window, a GP medical fitness letter for implant cases, travel insurance that explicitly covers complications (most NZ policies don't), a clear understanding that ACC and IRD do not fund elective cosmetic dentistry abroad, a payment plan in NZD/USD/VND, and a written follow-up plan for NZ aftercare and warranty registration.
You are about to spend somewhere between NZD 5,000 and NZD 30,000 on dental work in another country. The price gap to New Zealand is real, the clinical work at Picasso is well-documented, and most Kiwi patients save between NZD 8,000 and NZD 35,000 net of travel — but only when the trip is planned properly.
This is the page that gets the planning right.
It covers everything a New Zealand patient needs to sort before they book a flight: visa rules, fitness letters, ACC and IRD position, travel insurance gaps, payment in NZD versus VND, the realistic 10 to 14 day timeline, and a clear answer on what to do back home after the trip.
Every section links to a deeper guide. Read the one-paragraph summary, then go deep on the topics that apply to your case.
At a glance: what every NZ patient needs to organise
| # | What | Lead time | Cost | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Written NZD quote from Picasso | 24 hours | Free | Free quote |
| 2 | Vietnam e-visa | 3–5 working days | USD 25 | Visa for Kiwis |
| 3 | Return flights AKL/WLG/CHC | 4–8 weeks ahead | NZD 1,200–2,000 | Flights guide |
| 4 | Recovery-friendly accommodation | 4–8 weeks ahead | NZD 100–200/night | Stays |
| 5 | GP medical fitness letter (implant cases) | 2–3 weeks | NZD 60–150 | GP letter guide |
| 6 | Travel insurance (read fine print) | Before flying | NZD 80–200 | Insurance gaps |
| 7 | Notify NZ bank of overseas travel | 1 week before | Free | Currency & payment |
| 8 | NZ follow-up dentist booked | Before departure | NZD 150 visit | NZ follow-up care |
| 9 | Understand ACC and IRD limits | Before deposit | — | ACC · IRD position |
Total all-in travel cost (excluding treatment): typically NZD 2,300 to NZD 4,000 for one person on a 10-day trip.
The break-even point. If your Picasso treatment plan is under NZD 4,000, the flights and accommodation cost more than you save. Dental tourism makes financial sense at scale — multiple veneers, a full arch, several implants, or a smile makeover. Below that, stay home. Read the honest cost comparison before you book anything.
How the journey actually works, step by step
The Picasso patient journey for a New Zealander has six clean steps. Most of the work is front-loaded — by the time you are on the flight, the clinical plan and travel logistics are already locked in.
Step 1 — Send photos and your OPG X-ray. Email [email protected]. You get a written NZD treatment plan back within 24 hours, itemised by tooth, material brand, and warranty term.
Step 2 — Review the plan, ask questions, agree the trip length. Confirm whether your case is single-trip or two-trip. Decide your branch (Hanoi, Da Nang, HCMC, or Da Lat) based on what city suits your recovery and travel plans.
Step 3 — Book flights, accommodation, e-visa, and GP letter (if applicable). Lock these 4 to 8 weeks ahead for best fares.
Step 4 — Treatment week in Vietnam. Consultation and full diagnostic scans on Day 1; preparation, temporaries, lab work, try-in, and final fit across Days 2 to 9; comfort review and records handover at the end.
Step 5 — Fly home with full records. Treatment summary, OPG and CBCT files, implant passport, warranty card, aftercare instructions in English.
Step 6 — NZ follow-up and lifelong maintenance. Hygienist visit within 4 to 6 weeks, 6-monthly reviews ongoing, night guard if you grind, warranty kept valid through documented routine care.
Full step-by-step journey · Treatment timeline by procedure
Flights from New Zealand to Vietnam
There is one direct flight from New Zealand to Vietnam: Air New Zealand AKL to Da Nang (DAD), currently operated seasonally. For Hanoi (HAN) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), and for patients flying from Wellington or Christchurch, the usual routes go via Auckland, Sydney, Singapore, or Hong Kong.
| From | To | Direct? | Typical return fare (NZD) | Total transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland (AKL) | Da Nang (DAD) | Direct seasonal (Air NZ) | NZD 1,400–2,200 | ~11–12 hours |
| Auckland (AKL) | Hanoi (HAN) | 1 stop (SIN, HKG, BKK) | NZD 1,200–1,900 | ~14–17 hours |
| Auckland (AKL) | Ho Chi Minh (SGN) | 1 stop (SIN, SYD, HKG) | NZD 1,200–1,800 | ~14–17 hours |
| Wellington (WLG) | Vietnam | Via AKL or SYD | NZD 1,400–2,200 | ~16–19 hours |
| Christchurch (CHC) | Vietnam | Via AKL or SYD | NZD 1,400–2,200 | ~16–19 hours |
Booking 4 to 8 weeks ahead consistently gives the best fares. Avoid same-week bookings around school holidays and Tet (Vietnamese New Year, late January or early February) when fares spike and Picasso closes for around 7 days.
Detailed flights guide with routes and seasons
Vietnam e-visa for New Zealand passport holders
As of 24 May 2026, New Zealand passport holders need a valid visa to enter Vietnam. The standard option for a dental trip is Vietnam’s official e-visa, issued for up to 90 days, single-entry or multiple-entry, at USD 25 (single-entry).
Apply at: evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn — the only official Vietnamese government e-visa site. Avoid third-party agents charging USD 60 to USD 100 for the same document.
Requirements:
- Passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your planned exit date
- One passport-style colour photo (digital upload)
- One scan of your passport bio page
- A planned date of entry and exit
- An address in Vietnam (your hotel works)
- USD 25 paid by Visa or Mastercard
Processing time: 3 to 5 working days. Apply at least 7 to 10 days before flying to leave room for re-submission if anything is queried.
Two-trip implant patients should request the multiple-entry e-visa so you do not need to re-apply for your second visit within 90 days.
Step-by-step visa guide for Kiwis
What your travel insurance probably doesn’t cover
This is the most misunderstood part of dental tourism for New Zealand patients.
Most New Zealand travel insurance policies — including Southern Cross, AA Insurance, 1Cover, and Cover-More — explicitly exclude:
- Any planned dental treatment or treatment you have travelled for
- Complications arising from elective dental treatment
- Revision trips to fix or replace dental work
- Cancellation of the trip due to clinical reasons
Emergency dental cover, when present, usually only applies to accidents during the trip that are unrelated to planned dentistry — for example, a coconut falling on your unprepared tooth at the beach.
What to do instead:
- Read your policy’s Product Disclosure Statement, specifically the dental exclusion clause and the “treatment you travelled for” exclusion.
- Consider general travel insurance for the non-dental parts of the trip (lost baggage, trip cancellation, non-dental medical).
- Budget a personal contingency of NZD 2,000 to NZD 3,000 for unforeseen costs. This is more reliable than expecting an insurer to pay.
- Rely on Picasso’s written warranty for clinical issues — 7 years on Emax veneers, 10 years on Lava crowns, and brand warranties on implants. Read the warranty terms before signing.
Full travel insurance analysis for dental tourism
ACC, IRD, and what New Zealand will and won’t fund
Two government programmes come up repeatedly in patient questions. The short answer for both is no.
ACC does not cover elective dental tourism. ACC funds accident-related dental injuries within New Zealand’s scheme rules — for example, a tooth knocked out in a rugby match. It does not fund cosmetic veneers, elective implants, All-on-4, or routine crowns, in New Zealand or overseas. If you were injured in an accident in NZ and ACC accepted your dental claim, your entitlement is for treatment in New Zealand under ACC’s contracted providers, not for reimbursement of overseas treatment.
IRD does not allow elective cosmetic dentistry as a personal tax deduction. Veneers, implants, and smile makeovers are private expenses. Self-employed people occasionally ask about business deductibility — get specific written advice from a New Zealand chartered accountant before claiming anything. Most cases do not qualify.
ACC and dental treatment — what NZ patients should know · IRD position on dental tourism
Paying Picasso: NZD planning, VND payment
Picasso publishes its New Zealand patient price guide in NZD for planning, using 1 NZD = 15,000 VND (May 2026). On the ground in Vietnam, you have three payment options:
| Method | Where | Currency charged | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa / Mastercard POS | At the clinic | VND (your bank converts to NZD) | Most common. Notify your NZ bank of travel first. |
| Bank transfer | Local Vietnam transfer | VND | Suits Kiwi expats with a local VND account. |
| Cash | At the clinic | VND | For smaller balances. ATMs cap at ~5–10M VND per withdrawal. |
Three things to do before you fly:
- Tell your NZ bank about your travel dates. Without this, your card is often blocked on first use overseas.
- Check your foreign transaction fee. Wise debit card (zero FX fees) often beats a bank card on a NZD 8,000 to NZD 30,000 payment.
- Bring two cards from different banks, in case one is blocked.
Picasso does not accept Amex. Picasso does not quote in USD unless requested. There are no hidden currency surcharges — what is on your written NZD quote is what you pay, converted at the day’s interbank rate when you tap the POS.
GP medical fitness letter — when you need one
Not every patient needs a letter from their GP. You almost certainly do if any of the following apply:
- You are having implant surgery, All-on-4, All-on-6, or full-arch reconstruction
- You have heart disease, recent cardiac events, or a pacemaker
- You have diabetes (especially HbA1c above 7.5%)
- You take blood thinners — warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban
- You have a bisphosphonate history (oral or IV — for osteoporosis or cancer)
- You have a complex medical history Picasso flagged on intake
What the letter should include:
- Confirmation you are medically fit for elective dental surgery and 14+ hour international travel
- Current medication list with doses and last review date
- Any conditions Picasso should plan around
- GP contact details
- Letter dated within 30 days of your departure
Ask your GP 2 to 3 weeks before flying. Most NZ practices charge NZD 60 to NZD 150 for the letter. Send a scanned copy to Picasso before you fly — do not arrive in Vietnam without it.
GP medical fitness letter guide for NZ patients
Realistic treatment timelines by procedure
| Treatment | Days in Vietnam | One trip or two? | NZ leave needed (return flight included) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teeth whitening | 1–2 days | One | 5–7 days |
| Composite veneers | 3–5 days | One | 7–10 days |
| Porcelain veneers (Emax) | 7–10 days | One | 10–14 days |
| Smile makeover (10–16 veneers) | 10–14 days | One | 14–17 days |
| Single implant (standard) | Visit 1: 3 days · Visit 2: 5 days | Two (3–6 months apart) | 7 + 10 days |
| Single implant (Straumann BLX immediate-load) | 7–10 days | One | 10–14 days |
| All-on-4 (immediate loading) | 10–12 days | One (final prosthetic 3–6 months later if staged) | 14 days |
| All-on-6 | 10–14 days | One or two | 14–17 days |
| Full-mouth reconstruction | 14–21 days | Usually two | 17–21 days × 2 |
| Invisalign (records and fitting) | 5–7 days | One in Vietnam + remote reviews | 10 days |
Always leave 2 to 3 days of buffer after final treatment before flying home, in case minor adjustments are needed. Do not book a tight return.
Day-by-day treatment timeline guide
When this trip is not for you
An honest guide should be clear about who should not fly to Vietnam for dental work. The trip is the wrong call if:
- Your treatment plan is under NZD 4,000 — flights and accommodation cost more than you save.
- You cannot take 10 to 14 consecutive days off work including travel buffer.
- You have an active dental infection that needs treatment this week, not in 6 weeks.
- You have uncontrolled diabetes, recent heart surgery, or active cancer treatment — get a GP fitness letter first; many cases should not travel.
- You will not commit to NZ follow-up care and 6-monthly maintenance — without it your warranty is void.
- You expect ACC, IRD, or your travel insurance to pay any of it.
- You are looking for “Turkey teeth” style aggressive prep on healthy teeth — Picasso will not do that, and you should not want it. Read Turkey teeth explained.
If any of those describe you, the right next step is a conversation with your NZ dentist, not a flight.
Comparing the alternatives
Before you commit to Vietnam, it is worth seeing how it stacks up against the other common destinations for New Zealand dental tourists.
Vietnam vs New Zealand · Vietnam vs Thailand · Vietnam vs Turkey · Vietnam vs Bali · Vietnam vs Hungary · Vietnam vs Mexico · Vietnam vs India
Read next, based on what you still need to decide
If you are still on cost → Dental treatment costs in Vietnam vs NZ (NZD) · NZD pricing list · Savings calculator
If you are worried about safety → Is dental tourism safe? · Honest risks · Sterilisation standards · Implant brands
If you are deciding on a treatment → Veneers · Dental implants · All-on-4 · Smile makeover
If you are choosing a branch and city → Vietnam guide · Hanoi · Da Nang · Ho Chi Minh City · Recovery-friendly stays
If you want a warranty and aftercare plan in writing → SmileCare Global Warranty · Follow-up care in NZ · Aftercare
Get a written NZD plan before you book anything
The single most useful thing you can do today — before flights, before visa, before time off work — is get an itemised NZD treatment plan from Picasso. It is free, it takes 24 hours, and it tells you whether the trip is worth taking at all.
Send your panoramic X-ray (OPG) and a few photos of your smile to [email protected] or [email protected]. You will receive a written plan covering tooth-by-tooth lines, material brand options with warranty terms, trip length, branch recommendation, and any clinical questions Picasso needs to answer before you fly.
Request a free NZD quote · View the itemised price list
Every guide in this section
- ACC and dental treatment — what New Zealand patients need to know
- Flights from New Zealand to Vietnam for dental patients
- GP medical fitness letter for dental surgery abroad
- How dental tourism works — step by step for NZ patients
- IRD and dental tourism — tax deduction position for NZ patients
- NZD, Vietnamese dong, and paying for dental treatment — currency guide
- Travel insurance and dental tourism — NZ policy gaps explained
- Treatment timeline — how long do you need in Vietnam?
- Vietnam visa for New Zealand passport holders
About this page
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Emily Nguyen
Founding Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic
DDS · Founder and Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic group
Clinical focus: Cosmetic dentistry · Veneers · Smile design
Dr. Emily Nguyen founded Picasso Dental Clinic in 2013 (originally Serenity International Dental Clinic) and led its 2023 rebrand. She sets clinical standards across the group's six branches in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Lat, and personally reviews cosmetic protocols including the Portrait Sitting workflow for veneers and smile makeovers.
Frequently asked questions
Do New Zealand passport holders need a visa for dental treatment in Vietnam?
Yes. As of 24 May 2026, New Zealand passport holders need a valid visa to enter Vietnam. The standard option for a dental trip is Vietnam's official e-visa, which can be issued for up to 90 days as single-entry or multiple-entry. Apply at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn at least 7 days before flying — most approvals come through in 3 to 5 working days. Your passport must have at least 6 months validity beyond your planned exit date.
How long does a dental trip to Vietnam take from New Zealand?
Most cases take 10 to 14 days in Vietnam end to end. Single-trip veneers and smile makeovers fit in 7 to 10 working days plus weekend buffer. Single implants typically require two trips (placement, then crown 3 to 6 months later). All-on-4 immediate-loading and Straumann BLX cases can finish in one 10 to 12 day visit. Add 2 to 3 days for jet lag recovery and 2 days post-treatment buffer before flying — do not book a tight return.
How do I fly from New Zealand to Picasso Dental Clinic?
Air New Zealand operates a direct AKL to Da Nang (DAD) seasonal route — the simplest option for Da Nang branch patients, also useful for Da Lat patients via a short domestic hop. For Hanoi (HAN) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Wellington and Christchurch patients typically fly via Auckland, Sydney, Singapore, or Hong Kong on Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, or Vietnam Airlines. Return economy fares from Auckland typically run NZD 1,200 to NZD 2,000.
Will my New Zealand travel insurance cover dental work in Vietnam?
Almost certainly not. Most New Zealand travel insurance policies — including Southern Cross, AA Insurance, and 1Cover — explicitly exclude elective dental treatment and any costs arising from it. Emergency dental cover usually applies only to accidents during the trip that are unrelated to planned dentistry. Read your Product Disclosure Statement before buying. Picasso's written warranty plus a personal contingency budget of NZD 2,000 to NZD 3,000 is more reliable than expecting insurance to pay.
Does ACC cover dental treatment in Vietnam?
No. ACC funds accident-related dental injuries within New Zealand's scheme rules. It does not fund elective cosmetic or restorative treatment — veneers, implants, All-on-4, smile makeovers, or routine crowns — whether in New Zealand or overseas. ACC will not contribute to dental tourism, even if you can show your decision was financially motivated by cost. Plan as if you are paying the full amount yourself.
Can I claim dental tourism on my New Zealand tax return?
Generally no. IRD treats elective cosmetic dentistry as a private expense, which is not deductible on a personal tax return. Business travellers should not assume dental costs are deductible as part of a work trip — get specific advice from a New Zealand chartered accountant. If a portion of your treatment is medically necessary and you are self-employed, your accountant can review whether any narrow exception applies.
What does it cost to fly from New Zealand and stay in Vietnam for dental work?
Budget approximately NZD 1,200 to NZD 2,000 for return flights from Auckland, NZD 100 to NZD 200 per night for a recovery-friendly hotel in Da Nang or Hanoi (NZD 700 to NZD 1,400 for a 7-night stay), NZD 50 to NZD 80 per day for food and transport (NZD 350 to NZD 560 for the week), and NZD 25 for the Vietnam e-visa. All-in travel costs typically land between NZD 2,300 and NZD 4,000 for one person on a 10-day trip. Dental tourism makes financial sense when your treatment plan exceeds roughly NZD 4,000 to NZD 5,000.
Do I need a GP letter to get dental work in Vietnam?
Not for routine veneers, whitening, or single fillings. Picasso requires a written GP medical fitness letter for implant surgery, All-on-4, full-arch reconstructions, and any case where you have heart disease, diabetes, are on blood thinners (warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban), have a history of bisphosphonate use, or have a complex medical history. Ask your GP at least 2 to 3 weeks before flying — most practices charge NZD 60 to NZD 150 for the letter.
What currency do I pay in at Picasso Dental Clinic?
Picasso quotes New Zealand patients in NZD for planning purposes (using 1 NZD = 15,000 VND, updated May 2026). On the ground, you can pay by Visa or Mastercard via POS terminal, Vietnam bank transfer in VND, or VND cash. Card payments are charged in Vietnamese dong at the day's exchange rate — your NZ bank will then convert that to NZD on your statement. Notify your bank of overseas travel before flying or your card may be blocked on first use.
What follow-up care do I need back in New Zealand?
Within 4 to 6 weeks of returning home, book a hygienist visit and a check with your regular New Zealand dentist. Bring your written treatment summary, X-rays, implant brand passport, and warranty card from Picasso so your NZ dentist has full records. Schedule 6-monthly maintenance visits ongoing. Picasso's SmileCare Global Warranty stays valid only when you maintain documented routine care — keep receipts.