Health & Safety
Hospitals, pharmacies, dengue, dental, mental health, traffic safety, food and water.
18 articles in this section. Most stand on their own.
Altitude sickness in Sapa and the northern mountains
Sapa sits at 1,500m. Hà Giang loops hit higher. Honest read on altitude risk, who is affected, what symptoms to watch, and when to descend.
Managing chronic conditions while in Vietnam
Continuity-of-care planning for diabetes, asthma, heart conditions, autoimmune diseases — finding specialists, prescription continuity, and when to plan repatriation.
Disability access and accessible travel in Vietnam
Wheelchair access, mobility-aid availability, accessible hotels, accessible attractions — Vietnam's honest accessibility landscape and how to plan around the gaps.
Medical tourism: Vietnam to Singapore, Bangkok, or home
When Vietnamese hospitals aren't enough — the standard Vietnamese-expat medical escape route to Mount Elizabeth, Bumrungrad, or home, with costs and logistics.
Medication costs in Vietnam vs the UK, US, Australia
Honest 2026 price comparisons for common prescriptions and OTC medications — where Vietnam is dramatically cheaper, where it's similar, and where to bring your own.
Pregnancy and maternity care in Vietnam
Private vs public maternity hospitals, costs at Vinmec / FV / Hanh Phuc / FMP, antenatal care timelines, insurance considerations, and what international families typically choose.
STI testing and sexual health in Vietnam
Where to get tested in HCMC, Hanoi and Đà Nẵng, what tests are available, what costs to expect, and the privacy and English-language realities at private vs public clinics.
Women-specific health care in Vietnam
Gynaecology, contraception, menopause care, breast-cancer screening — where international-quality care is available in HCMC, Hanoi, Đà Nẵng, with realistic costs.
Common Illnesses Travellers Face in Vietnam
The handful of things that actually go wrong for visitors — stomach upsets, respiratory issues, heat — and when to see a doctor.
Dengue Fever in Vietnam: What to Know
Dengue is the one mosquito-borne illness travellers actually catch in Vietnam. How to spot it, how to avoid it, and what to do.
Dental Care in Vietnam
Vietnamese dental care is genuinely excellent and a fraction of Western prices. Where to go, what to expect, and what to be careful about.
Heat and Sun in Vietnam
Vietnamese sun is stronger than visitors expect, and the humidity makes the heat much harder to manage. Practical avoidance, recovery, and warning signs.
Hospitals in Vietnam: A City-by-City Guide
Where to go when something goes wrong, from international-standard hospitals in the big cities to your basic options in tourist towns.
Mental Health Support in Vietnam
English-speaking psychiatrists, therapists, and telehealth options, plus what to know about medication availability.
Pharmacies and Medication in Vietnam
How Vietnamese pharmacies work, what you can buy without a prescription, and what to bring from home.
Traffic Safety in Vietnam
Road accidents — most commonly motorbike — are the leading cause of serious injury and death for foreigners in Vietnam. How to stay out of the statistics.
Recommended Vaccines for Vietnam
Which vaccines are sensible for a Vietnam trip, which are optional, and where to get them — at home or once you arrive.
Water and Food Safety in Vietnam
Tap water, bottled water, ice, raw herbs, and the practical rules for not getting sick while still enjoying the food.