Costs/infrastructure of medical care
In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the medical infrastructure is reasonably good, but for serious problems it is advisable to return to Belgium. It is highly recommended that you have medical repatriation insurance. Outside of the major cities mentioned above, the medical infrastructure is very limited. The hospitals usually do not have essential equipment, even in the busy tourist areas.
Recommended vaccines
For travelers from Belgium there are no obligatory vaccinations. However, you may consider getting vaccinated against some common diseases in Vietnam such as: Japanese encephalitis, Measles, Rabies, Dengue fever, hepatitis B and C. This is usually only recommended if you stay for a longer period in Vietnam. For more information, you can always visit the website of the Institute of Tropical Medicine.
Water and food safety
Tap water is not drinkable (outside hotels with international standards, you should also watch out for drinking fruit juices). Eating raw or poorly washed foods and undercooked meat is strongly discouraged. The World Health Organization has placed Vietnam on the list of countries with the highest antibiotic resistance. Good hygiene is strongly recommended to avoid contamination with bacteria and parasites.
Swimming
Local beaches are sometimes polluted by stray dog droppings (transmission of worms through paw pads is possible). It is advisable to find a clean beach or those stretches of beach that are washed clean by the waves, and lie on a beach towel. Avoid swimming in stagnant fresh water so as not to become contaminated by bacteria and parasites.
Diseases
There are some common diseases in Vietnam which can be prevented or dealt with when encountered:
- Mosquito-borne infectious diseases like malaria, dengue fever, zika virus. You can protect yourself from mosquito bites by using an anti-mosquito product containing DEET, by using a mosquito net while sleeping and by wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts. For more information, please consult the websites of the WHO, the FPS Public Health or the Institute of Tropical Medicine.
- Traveler’s diarrhea: Preventive measures such as washing hands and disinfecting drinking water are essential to prevent traveler's diarrhea. In the treatment of traveler's diarrhea, preventing and treating dehydration is of paramount importance. To prevent dehydration, special saline solutions available at pharmacies can be used.
- Avian influenza: Vietnam is in a region affected by bird flu. There are no travel restrictions imposed due to bird flu. However, certain precautions are recommended to reduce the risk of contact with the avian influenza virus: consume only well-roasted or cooked chicken meat and eggs; and frequent hand washing. Additional information and updates on avian influenza can be found on the websites of the FPS Public Health, the World Health Organization, the Belgian Federal Food Safety Service (FASFC) or the International Organization for Animal Health.
Criminality
The level of petty crime is rather low. Hanoi is very safe in general. In the south of Vietnam, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, tourists are regularly victims of pickpockets. It is recommended to wear and use jewellery, mobile phones, wallets and all items of value with due inconspicuousness. It is also recommended to keep travel documents in the hotel's safe. It is not recommended to use bicycle taxis and motorcycle taxis in the evening and at night.