Package Tours Vietnam

Safety

In general, Vietnam is a very safe place, with low levels of violent crime and a low threat of terrorism or other dangerous activities.  Theft, however, is becoming increasingly common, and visitors should take precautions, especially with mobile phones, digital cameras, and other small electronics which are easily “misplaced.”

There is also an increasing amount of theft related to motorbikes.  When driving or riding on a motorbike, please take care to keep purses, laptops, or other bags hidden away or out of easy reach (do not keep on your shoulder!) – it is increasingly common, especially later at night, for a thief to try to snatch your bag, which can lead to the motorbike accidents as well as the loss of valuables.

One of the leading causes of death in Vietnam is motorbike accidents, and it is highly recommended to wear a helmet when driving or riding on a motorbike.  If you rent a motorbike, please ask for a helmet as part of the rental, and if you plan to travel by “xe om” (motorbike taxi), it is relatively inexpensive (often less than $10 USD) to buy a helmet for use during your trip.

Health

In Vietnam, the most common ailments are related to the heat, mosquitoes, and adjusting to unfamiliar (yet delicious) local food.  Some tips for a safe and healthy trip are:

• Drink bottled water, not directly from the tap
• Please check in advance which immunizations you might need.  Good sources of information are the World Health Organization,  Center for Disease Control (CDC), or Family Medical Practice for a local Vietnam update.
• The best protection for dengue fever and malaria are to avoid being bitten as much as possible. Use insect repellant or wear long pants or shirts, especially in the evenings or early mornings, and mosquito nets when needed.
• Some level of stomach issues may be expected as your body adjusts to local cuisine.  Our recommendation is not to forgo local and street-side restaurants altogether since this is some of the best food in Vietnam, but do try to choose places which seems popular and as clean and hygienic as possible.  Use your best judgement based on your level of comfort.
• Bring a small supply of your own medications for common ailments, especially when traveling outside of the major cities
• It is hot (and often sunny and humid) throughout Vietnam.  Drink plenty of water, wear a hat and cover yourself up when you can, use sunscreen, and try to stay out of the sun and heat as much as possible during peak hours.  Most importantly, don’t try to push yourself as your body adjusts to the heat and humidity.

Medical Treatment

In Hanoi and HCMC, there are international clinics which can provide health care in the case of an emergency or illness.  Two of the most popular options are the International SOS and the Family Medical Practice, and both have locations in both Hanoi and HCMC.

Outside of Hanoi and HCMC, good health care is limited and it is recommended to make your way back to Hanoi or HCMC as quickly as possible, or contact your health insurance provider for assistance.  For surgeries or more extensive treatment, many choose to go to Bangkok or Singapore, and the international clinics or your health insurance provider can arrange evacuation when needed.

Many pharmaceuticals and medications can be purchased in Vietnam at local stores that do not require a prescription.  While this makes many medicines cheap and widely accessible, care should be taken, and self-prescribing is not advised.  The best source of reliable pharmaceuticals (albeit expensive) is to stick with the medical advice and prescriptions of the international clinics.

In general, the cost of international health care in Vietnam is not cheap, and it is highly recommended that you make sure that your health insurance covers you while you are traveling and/or buy secondary travel health insurance.