Just 25 years ago Vietnam was cripplingly poor and with a dreadful economy where inflation ran at 700%, food (and everything else) was rationed and distributed from government warehouses.
Things have improved vastly, the economy is booming and daily ife is much better, but this is still a relatively poor country. The average per capita income is $1200 a year. It is rugged, mountainous and tropical so infrastructure for the 90 million citizens is still third world. This is part of the charm of travel to Vietnam, but there are consequences for the traveller, especially in regard to health.
Here are a few tips to keep you travelling safely.
Mosquitoes and Disease
The mosquito-borne illnesses malaria and dengue fever are prevalent in Vietnam, particularly in the south. There has been an increase in the number of cases reported and deaths from dengue fever. In 2010 there were 109,304 dengue cases, including 84 deaths! From the recent 11 mosquito bites I got, they have not been accompanied by a fever so I think I should be fine.
Mosquitoes carrying Malaria and Dengue fever love the wet climate, so be careful when trekking in places like Sapa. Wear long trousers and socks, and lather insect repellant on your skin like its going out of fashion!
Keep in mind it is advised not to take Aspirin or Ibuprofen until Dengue fever has been ruled out.
Food, water & Hygiene
Food glorious food! One of the highlights for travellers visiting Vietnam is sampling the local delights. Keep in mind that hygiene standards in restaurants vary. If it looks like it may make you sick, it probably will.
(A perfectly healthy and clean meal of grubs!)
In June 2010, there were reports of approximately 100 tourists (who ate at different restaurants) hospitalised with food poisoning in Binh Thuan province.
Outbreaks of water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases occur from time to time in Vietnam. Try avoiding salads or anything directly washed with water and not cooked. If you do suffer form a severe diarrhoea outbreak then visit a local hospital.
Water cannot be consumed from the public water system in Vietnam, so stick to bottled water which has been sealed correctly. A well-named safe brand is La vie - Vittel France.
Get Your Shots!
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the following vaccinations for travellers to Vietnam:
• Adult diphtheria and tetanus
• Hepatitis A & B. Hep B should now be the norm for all travellers. It is given as three shots over 6 months so be sure to plan ahead. It offers lifetime protection for 95% of people.
• Measles, mumps and rubella
• Polio
• Typhoid
For more information, every traveller should visit their doctor or travel doctor prior to travel. The Pasadena Healthy Traveler also recommended Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies
Sunshine Safety
Vietnam has some beautiful weather. It is located in the tropical zone characterized by sunshine, high rainfall, humidity and monsoon.
The average temperature is from 22ºC to 27ºC with two distinguished seasons in the South: the cold and dry one from November to April and the other hot and wet from May to October. The North has four distinct seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
Flooding is common in and around Hanoi, in Northern Vietnam and in the Mekong River Delta regions in the south from June - December, but that isn’t something to plan a trip around as its half the year!
The best time to visit the country is from October to April, but pack light, easy-to-dry clothing as it can go from buckets to sunshine within minutes.
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