The nightmare of a long-awaited adventure ain’t missing a flight or losing your luggage but getting sick. Fortunately, there is plenty you can do to make the misfortune less disruptive. Here are some tips on what to do if you get sick in Vietnam.
*Please be well-noted that this blog is not replaceable for medical advice from doctors or professional medical staff.
Be Well-Prepared before Your Trip
Take preventive measures since packing for your trip, such as taking vaccinations before traveling and you may find the preparation helpful for what to do if you get sick in Vietnam while traveling.
See What Vaccinations You Need for Traveling to Vietnam
Bring along All of Your Medical Essentials
A letter from your primary healthcare provider: including all of your health conditions and any prescription or medicines you are currently taking.
Personal emergency medical bag: This bag is for packing your daily essential medicines and other types of medicines, such as common cold medicines, anti-motion sickness medication, and antiseptic solutions.
Suggested personal emergency medical bags:
- Johnson & Johnson’s all-purpose portable first aid kit already contains sufficient medication and other basic medical instruments.
- The VGEBY medical pouch is compact, light, and portable, making it a great companion for any traveler.
Carefully Check Your Travel Insurance
The utmost excitement before embarking on the trip may make most travelers forget how important travel insurance can be. Once you get sick, despite the affordable medical care in Vietnam, insurance could further save you a considerable amount. Also, make sure to know its terms and policies.
What to Do If You Get Sick in Vietnam
In case of emergency, dial 115 for medical care and ambulance.
List of Emergency Contacts in Vietnam
Visiting the Doctor to Assess Your Health Condition
There are different levels of illnesses, whether stomachache by drinking tap water, common cold, flu, food poisoning, or a bad reaction to an insect bite. Therefore, assessing your health risks is at the top of the list of what to do if you get sick in Vietnam. It would be much better to ask for and listen to advice from doctors before making any decisions on your own.
If You Are In Need of Special Care at The Hospital
Please remember that rural areas in Vietnam have quite a basic healthcare system, so be extremely careful when visiting off-the-beaten-path destinations. Always turn on your phone and have some basic information (contact information, health condition information, etc.) accessible for others in an emergency.
Visiting The Nearest Hospitals
If you are in an emergency or need special medical treatment, make your way to the nearest hospital. We recommend choosing international hospitals over local ones for faster, more attentive service and, most importantly, little chance of a language barrier during treatment.
Well-known international hospitals in Vietnam for travelers:
Contact Your Home Embassy
Among the suggested actions on what to do if you get sick in Vietnam, any traveler should remember to contact the Embassy. If your illness is serious, consular officers can help you look for medical assistance, and if you desire, they can also help inform your family and friends. In some cases, consuls can also assist in transferring funds from family or friends from your hometown.
Having a Friend or a Family Member with You
Don’t go to the hospital alone if you are not traveling alone. Having someone to take care of you and other procedures in the hospital is necessary, especially when you are too tired to communicate due to language barriers.
Keeping Your Medical Records
Keeping copies of medical records is one of the musts of what to do if you get sick in Vietnam. Thanks to the records, it would be easier to follow up on the treatment process when returning to your hometown.
If You Can Take Care of Yourself
Where to Buy Medicines
Buying necessary medicines is definitely of great importance if you get sick in Vietnam. Aside from local pharmacies, Pharmacity and Long Chau Pharmacy have hundreds of retailers in all major cities (Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City) and different provinces in Vietnam.
Pharmacists at the store will ask you about your symptoms and health condition to prescribe medication for you. Many of them can communicate in English, yet it would be much better if you could ask your tour guide or a local friend to come with you for translation.
Listen to Your Body
Listening to your body is the top priority if you get sick in Vietnam. Sickness may impair your mood and alertness; therefore, keeping on traveling only plagues your tired body. Spend time resting to let your body fully recover before continuing your journey.
Summary on What to Do If You Get Sick in Vietnam
Illnesses are also one of the nightmares for travelers, hindering them from enjoying an amazing trip to explore Vietnam. But it is always recommended to expect the unexpected and be well-prepared for undesirable situations. We hope that our suggestions on what to do if you get sick in Vietnam can help you keep calm, take care of yourself, and stay healthy during your time in Vietnam.