Health FAQs

1. Is the water safe for drinking when traveling in Vietnam?

Travelers should be cautious when drinking non-bottled water and when using ice cubes in their drinks.  Travelers may wish to drink only bottled or canned beverages, or beverages that have been boiled (such as hot tea and coffee).

Responsible Travel: It is best to bring a refillable water bottle. Most hotels, and here at Footprint Vietnam Travel, have a water station you can use to fill up on water. 

2. Should we eat our in the streets of Vietnam?

Vietnam has a rich eating-out tradition and a burgeoning street food culture. Most of the dishes can be made at home, but many Vietnamese prefer to eat out. Restaurants are usually famous for one specialty dish. Many recipes have been passed down from generation to generation.

Restaurants themselves vary greatly. Some are just little stalls on the streets with a mini stove and plastic chairs. Some are prestigious family restaurants that have existed for centuries, operated by the whole family, with smoky walls and wooden chairs.

Even though street stalls or small restaurants seem closer to tradition and excel in taste, tourists who are not used to Vietnamese food should watch out for their health and safety. Street stalls and cheaper restaurants also take less care in food safety.

Nevertheless, try not to miss out on some of the local street-side Vietnamese dishes.

3. Medical precaution and vaccinations? 

No vaccinations are required, except for yellow fever if you are coming from an area where the disease is present. However, visitors should be inoculated against typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A & B, tetanus and polio.

Malaria is present in most of the region and it is advisable to take precautions especially if traveling off the beaten track. Medical facilities are rather limited throughout the country and it is essential to take out a good medical insurance policy before traveling in case evacuation is needed.

4. First aid kits on our tours? 

We recommend that you carry a small personal First Aid Kit as well as any personal medications you may require. Please be aware that for legal reasons our local tour guides are prohibited from administering any type of drug or medication including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. Please ensure that you are adequately prepared.