One of the great pleasures of visiting Vietnam is choosing where to go. Destinations here can be dramatically diverse, allowing the opportunity to mix and match and create the holiday you desire. ...
27Mar
Health and Safety
Vietnam has been ranked one of the safest countries in the world for travellers, however it always pays to be prepared. These health and safety tips will help you travel Vietnam with greater peace of mind. Also below is a list of public and private hospitals for easy reference.
CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS
Health services and prevention measures
Vietnam has closely monitored the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak since its start, and has installed a series of proactive, comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of its citizens and travellers.
Travellers experiencing symptoms of the virus — fever, cough and difficulty breathing — should immediately call Vietnam’s health hotline: 19003228.
To combat the spread of the virus, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has ordered all Vietnamese and foreigners in the country to wear face masks on flights, in airport terminals, and in crowded public places such as supermarkets, bus stations, and public transport vehicles.
HEALTH TIPS FOR TRAVELLING VIETNAM
Before you go
Before traveling to Vietnam, be sure to purchase insurance for your trip. Two months before you leave, you should also consult your doctor or local travel clinic for the latest information on health risks in Vietnam and to receive any vaccinations you may need.
Pregnant women should consult their doctors for specialised advice. Anti-malarial drugs and many diarrhoea treatments are not completely safe during pregnancy.
If you have a medical condition or allergy of which requires particular attention, carry a doctor’s letter with you that describes the nature of the condition and treatment needed. We also recommend you pack a medical kit with:
- DEET-based insect repellent
- Paracetemol or ibuprofen for pain relief
- Anti-itch ointment, such as hydrocortison
- Sunscreen
- Antihistamine for allergy treatment, such as zertec, benadryl
- Bacitracin for wound care, such as neosporin
- Diarrhoea treatment, such as imodium
Some medications can be difficult to find in Vietnam: be sure you travel with a full supply of any prescribed medicine you need.
Hospitals in Vietnam
Major cities such as Hanoi, Danang, and Ho Chi Minh City have a number of state-owned and private hospitals with English-speaking staff. While small pharmacies are common in almost any Vietnamese city, in the rural areas you may be far from the nearest pharmacy or hospital.
COMMON HEALTH ISSUES IN VIETNAM
Pollution in Vietnam
Air pollutants may aggravate asthma and allergy symptoms. Symptoms include scratchy throat and nasal drip. For anyone with respiratory ailments, invest in a small mask while travelling around metropolitan areas, or plan to spend more time in the countryside if possible.
Mosquito-borne diseases
The risk of contracting malaria is heightened in the rural highlands. Consider taking anti-malarial medication if you plan to travel to any remote destinations in Vietnam. Dengue fever has become increasingly problematic in Southeast Asia and occurs mostly in the Mekong Delta, including Ho Chi Minh City. With no vaccines available, the best preventive measure is to wear bug spray during the hours of sunrise and sunset.
Heat concerns
Vietnam tends to be hot and humid year round. Don’t underestimate the strength of the sun. Sunburn can happen quickly: it’s best to wear sunscreen throughout the day. Be vigilant with reapplication, especially at beachside destinations. Dehydration is another concerns, as well as heat exhaustion, which may show up in symptoms such as headaches and irritability. Drink plenty of water. Heatstroke is a more serious consequence of overexposure to sun and may require hospital treatment. If you’re feeling weak, dizzy, nauseous, and have a temperature of over 41°C, get medical help immediately.
Food-related illnesses
Traveller’s diarrhoea is a common concern when in new countries. Stick to bottled water and avoid ice in rural areas. To avoid contracting bacteria, look for restaurants with a high turnover of customers and those that prepare freshly cooked food. Generally street food in Vietnam is quite safe, but always use your own judgement when choosing from vendors. If you experience stomach upsets or diarrhoea, take rehydration salts and stay hydrated. If the problems persist, seek medical attention.
Critter bites
These are sometimes an issue when when staying in hostels and other shared dormitories, and sometimes even in hotels. Seek help at the nearest clinic if you’re suffering from the bites of fleas, bed bugs, and/or lice. Be on the lookout for rabies when in contact with animals, wild or domesticated. Avoid the monkeys on Cat Ba Island when touring Ha Long Bay. When jungle trekking, be wary of ticks, leeches and poisonous snakes lurking in the undergrowth. Seek medical assistance immediately if bitten.
SAFETY TIPS FOR TRAVELLING VIETNAM
Petty theft
Vietnam is a relatively safe country, however petty theft is a legitimate concern, especially in the big cities. Refrain from extending cameras and cellphones on busy streets and corners: most robberies are drive-by snatchings. When taking pictures on sidewalks, keep your camera close to your body and away from the flow of traffic.
Women in particular should be warned to keep a tight grip on their bags and purses when walking in Ho Chi Minh City. When riding a motorcycle, place your bags in the seat compartment or hook them in the front of the bike. Bags carried around the shoulder or in bike baskets can easily be snatched.
When staying in hotels and guesthouses, place your valuables in the safe or lock them in your bags before leaving your room. It is a good idea in general to be mindful of your valuables, keep a close eye on your bags and not to flaunt large amounts of cash or expensive gadgets in rural areas.
Unfortunately, if you find yourself the victim of theft, little can be done by law enforcement to recover stolen belongings.
Taxi scams
Taxi scams in Vietnam take the form of rigged meters, overcharging, confusing currency and fixed prices. Two trusted companies you can rely on are Mai Linh and Vinasun. Both of these taxi companies have new vehicles and sealed metres, they also have a pick-up service that works in most Vietnamese towns and cities. You can look for them as soon as you land in Vietnam’s international airports.
Tourist Scams
Vietnam is constantly improving its tourism services, however there are still some agents and independent operators who flout the rules. When booking cruises on Halong Bay, always go with reputed companies. For tours around Vietnam, book with vetted travel agents as opposed to hole-in-the-wall establishments to avoid being scammed.
For Female Travellers
Vietnam is generally a safe country to travel and female travellers will find themselves welcome. The Vietnamese are still quite conservative, so it’s best to respect the local culture by not baring too much skin. Solo female travellers can expect to be approached with questions about why they are travelling alone. The enquiries are usually harmless and borne out of curiousity. Crime against women is uncommon in Vietnam. Nonetheless it’s wise to not be alone on the streets late at night, and to take a taxi if you’re heading back late.
International hospitals in Vietnam
Filter by: All region
Northern
Central
Southern
Columbia Asia
No. 8, Alexandre de Rhodes, Bến Nghé, District 1, Bến Nghé, Vietnam
+84 8 3823 8888
+84 8 3823 8888
Family Medical HCMC
Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, District 3, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
+84 8 3822 7848
+84 8 3822 7859
FV Hospital
No. 6 Nguyễn Lương Bằng, Tân Phú, District7, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
+84 8 54 11 33 33
+84 8 54 11 33 34
International SOS
No.167A Nam Ky Khoi Nghia street, district 3, HCMC, Vietnam
+84 8 3824 0777
+84 8 3829 8551
Yersin International
No. 10 Truong Dinh – Ward 6 – District 3 – HCMC
+84 8 3933 66 88
+84 8 3930 46 64
Victoria Healthcare Vietnam
152 Nguyen Luon Bang, Tan Phu, District 7, HCMC, Vietnam
+84 8 3910 4545
+84 8 3910 4545
Family Medical Practice Hanoi
Van Phuc Compound, 298 Kim Ma Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam
+84 4 3843 0748
+84 4 3846 1750
Hong Ngoc Hospital
55 Yen Ninh, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam
+04 8 39 275 568
+04 8 39 275 568
L’Hopital Francais de Hanoi
No.1 Phuong Mai, Dong Da District, Hanoi, Vietnam
+84 4 3577 1100
+84 4 3576 4443
International SOS Hanoi
51 Xuan Dieu Street, Tay Ho District, Hanoi, Vietnam
+ 84 4 3934 0666
+84 4 3934 0556
Viet Duc Hospital
40 Trang Thi Street, Hanoi, Vietnam
+84 4 3825 3531
+84 4 3825 3531
VINMEC International Hospital
458 Minh Khai Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam
+84 4 3974 3556
+84 4 3974 3557
Family Medical Danang
96-98 Nguyen Van Linh Street, Hai Chau District, Danang, Vietnam
+84 236 3582 699
+84 236 3583 049
Hoan My Danang Hospital
161 Nguyễn Văn Linh, Thạc Gián, Q. Thanh Khê, Da Nang, Vietnam
+84 236 3650 676
+84 236 3650 676
You need more information about OTA Training course
You can fill in the information to register for a trial course overview or receive more advice about the Sales OTA course that we offer. Information fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.
Warning: So far there have been many tourists being cheated so that this is very good information for travelers to avoid the troubles when you are traveling in Hanoi or in Vietnam. This ...