Vietnam’s invariably humid climate makes this country a veritable haven for mosquitoes. Not only are these airborne insects irritating – as you probably already know from experience! – but the mosquitoes who live in this region of the world pose two more dangers to travelers. Not only do you risk infection when you scratch mosquito bites with dirty fingers while hiking in the wilderness, but mosquitoes in Vietnam are carriers of some of the world’s most deadly diseases, including Malaria, dengue fever, and the Zika virus. But never fear! Following the expert advice in this blog post, you can avoid mosquitoes when traveling to Vietnam, and enjoy a safe, Southeast Asian holiday. Read on to find out more.
Wear insect repellent!
You may not be a fan, but DEET-containing repellents are still the most effective way to prevent mosquitoes and mosquito bites. When you head outside during your Vietnamese holiday, apply a good, thick repellent coating to all exposed skin areas. Try to get an odor – and grease-free formulation so you don’t make too much of a mess.
Avoid the peak times for mosquitoes
Mosquitoes come out in full force at two times: dawn and dusk. Avoid being outside during these periods, and if you must, take full precautions.
Wear the right kind – and color – of clothing
Be sure to wear clothing woven in such a way that from a material, mosquitoes can’t penetrate. Long, thick pants and shirts, woolen socks, and sturdy, well-sealed shoes are your best options here. Try to cover as much of your body with this type of clothing as possible; it’s also a good idea to tuck your shirt into your pants and your pants into your socks.
But if it is too hot, you should at least pay attention to the colors you wear. Research suggests mosquitoes are more attracted to bright colors than light or neutral tones, so when you go trekking, try to wear khaki, earth, or plain-colored clothing.
Stay clean!
Mosquitoes are also drawn by sweat and body odor; if you didn’t already have sufficient reasons to stay clean whilst traveling, here is another one!
Use mosquito netting
You are an easy target for mosquitoes while sleeping, so this is a no-brainer for camping out for the night. Place mosquito netting around your tent or hammock. If possible, also try to spray it with repellent. Nowadays, you can also buy mosquito netting – and clothing as well – that already has insect repellent woven into the fabric. Even if you are sleeping indoors, placing mosquito netting around your bedding may be a good precautionary measure.
Befriend a gecko lizard!
These critters are considered a good luck charm in Southeast Asia, and once you see their voracious appetite for mosquitoes, it’s not hard to see why! They’ll eat several mosquitoes a minute, so consider getting one and keeping it in your room while on your Vietnamese holiday.
More health-related items to prepare for traveling to Vietnam
Face masks: While medical face masks are generally easy to buy in local pharmacies or convenience stores, you need to prepare some pieces before entering crowded places such as the airport.
Read more on Is it necessary to wear a face mask in Vietnam?
Some recommended types:
Hand sanitizers: like most Asian countries, Vietnam is a heaven for finger foods. Bring a bottle of hand sanitizer with you to stay germ-free