Vietnam First Aid Kit: Complete Packing List for Indian Backpackers
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-17
What to pack in travel first aid kit for Vietnam as an Indian backpacker: 12-15 essential items including ORS, loperamide, Metrogyl, DEET 30%+ repellent, Betadine, and a rabies post-exposure plan. Vietnam is not dangerous, but it is genuinely different from India, and the differences show up in your stomach first. For related planning, see our guide on Sea Backpacking Hub.
If you have ever packed for a Goa trip, you already know 70% of this list. The remaining 30% is Vietnam-specific: dengue fever mosquito repellent, oral rehydration salts, a rabies pre-trip plan, and the realization that buying antibiotics over the counter in Vietnam is easier than in India, which is good and bad. You may also find Is Vietnam Safe a Practical Safety Guide for Indian Travelers Scams Women Solo Travel Emergency Help useful for this trip.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Should I pack my own first aid kit? | Yes. Buy basics in India, top up in Hanoi if needed. | ₹1,500-₹2,500 (~$15.57-$25.95) |
| Can I buy antibiotics in Vietnam without prescription? | Yes, most pharmacies sell them OTC. | ₹150-₹600 (~$1.56-$6.23) |
| Is ORS available locally? | Yes, everywhere, but Indian brands are cheaper. | ₹50-₹100 (~$0.52-$1.04) |
| Do I need a rabies vaccine before Vietnam? | Recommended, not mandatory. | ₹2,500-₹3,500 (~$25.95-$36.33) per dose (~₹2,500–3,500) |
| Is Indian paracetamol sold in Vietnam? | Under different names, bring your own. | ₹30-₹50 (~$0.31-$0.52) |
Prices in the body of this article are listed in Vietnamese Dong (VND) at the current rate of 1 VND = ₹0.0037. A 100,000 VND pharmacy bill comes to roughly ₹370 (~$3.84).
What Goes Wrong in Vietnam (Ranked by Likelihood)
Before listing what to pack, list what you are packing for. These are the most common medical issues travellers report across Vietnam, ordered by how often they happen, not by how dramatic they sound.
| Risk | Likelihood | Impact | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traveller’s diarrhea / food poisoning | High | Low to Moderate | Carry ORS, loperamide, and a 3-day antibiotic course |
| Dengue fever mosquito bites | High | Moderate to High | DEET 30%+ repellent, long sleeves at dusk |
| Sunstroke / dehydration | High | Low to Moderate | 2L water/day, oral rehydration, electrolytes |
| Minor cuts & scooter grazes | High | Low | Carry bandages, betadine, waterproof plasters |
| Heat rash & fungal infections | Moderate | Low | Keep skin dry, carry candid powder/clotrimazole |
| Rabies (dog/scratches) | Low | Severe | Pre-trip vaccine recommended; know post-exposure plan |
| Severe scooter accident | Moderate | Severe | Wear helmet, avoid night riding |
| Typhoid / Hep A from street food | Low | Moderate | Pre-trip vaccines, eat at busy stalls |
The pattern: 80% of what sends Indians to a Vietnamese clinic is a combination of street food your gut has not met, mosquito bites at golden hour, and minor scooter scrapes.
Prevention and Preparation (Before You Fly)
Vaccines to Get in India
Book a travel clinic visit 4-6 weeks before departure. The standard Indian travel clinic recommendation for Vietnam:
- Hepatitis A & B: Combined vaccine, two doses. Around ₹1,500-₹2,500 (~$15.57-$25.95) per dose. Worth it.
- Typhoid: Single shot, ₹800-₹1,500 (~$8.30-$15.57). Valid 3 years.
- Tetanus booster: If your last one was over 10 years ago.
- Rabies pre-exposure: Three doses over 21 days, ₹2,500-₹3,500 (~$25.95-$36.33) each. Decide based on your itinerary; know where to get post-exposure shots in Vietnam either way.
- Japanese Encephalitis: Optional, for rural Mekong Delta stays over a month.
Travel Insurance
Medical evacuation from a remote Ha Giang clinic to Hanoi costs ₹144,494-₹288,988 (~1,500-3,000 USD) out of pocket. A broken leg in a scooter accident can run ₹481,647-₹1,444,941 (~5,000-15,000 USD) in a private Vietnamese hospital. Do not skip insurance.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Most Indian travel insurance policies exclude scooter accidents unless you have a valid Indian motorcycle license + International Driving Permit. Read the fine print before you leave, not after the crash.
The Vietnam First Aid Kit: Full Packing List
Stomach & Digestion (Most Important Section)
This is what saves trips. Pack these from India because Indian pharmacy prices are unbeatable:
| Item | Indian Brand | Packing Quantity | Vietnam Pharmacy Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORS sachets | Electral, ORS-L, Fructal | 10-15 sachets | ₹18-₹37 (~5,000-10,000 VND or ~$0.19-$0.38) |
| Loperamide (anti-diarrhea) | Imodium, Lomofen | 10 tablets | ₹55-₹92 (~15,000-25,000 VND or ~$0.57-$0.96) |
| Metronidazole (antibiotic) | Metrogyl 400/500 | 15 tablets (3-day course) | ₹110-₹184 (~30,000-50,000 VND or ~$1.15-$1.91) |
| Ciprofloxacin (broad antibiotic) | Ciplox 500 | 10 tablets | ₹147-₹294 (~40,000-80,000 VND or ~$1.53-$3.06) |
| Rifaximin (gut-specific antibiotic) | Rifagut 400 | 6-10 tablets | ₹221-₹442 (~60,000-120,000 VND or ~$2.29-$4.58) |
| Pantoprazole (acid reflux) | Pantocid, Pan 40 | 10 tablets | ₹74-₹147 (~20,000-40,000 VND or ~$0.76-$1.53) |
| Ondansetron (anti-vomit) | Emeset 4 | 6 tablets | ₹92-₹184 (~25,000-50,000 VND or ~$0.96-$1.91) |
| Probiotic capsules | Econorm, Vibact | 10 capsules | ₹184-₹331 (~50,000-90,000 VND or ~$1.91-$3.44) |
| Electral / Glucose-D | As available | 5 packs | ₹29-₹55 (~8,000-15,000 VND or ~$0.31-$0.57) |
Why this matters: Traveller’s diarrhea hits 30-60% of visitors to Vietnam. The Vietnamese food is delicious and uses more raw herbs, fish sauce, and street-vendor oil than your gut is trained for. Having Metrogyl + ORS on day one means you do not lose three days of your trip to a toilet in Hoi An.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Start taking a probiotic (like Econorm) three days before your flight and continue through week one in Vietnam. Indian travellers report this single change cuts their stomach episodes by half.
Fever, Pain & Cold
| Item | Indian Brand | Packing Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Paracetamol 500mg | Dolo, Calpol | 15 tablets |
| Ibuprofen 400mg | Combiflam, Brufen | 10 tablets |
| Cetirizine (allergy) | Cetzine, Alerid | 10 tablets |
| Montelukast (if asthmatic) | Montair | Personal supply |
| Vicks Vaporub | As available | 1 small tin |
| Strepsils | As available | 1 pack |
| Digital thermometer | Generic | 1 |
Vietnamese pharmacies sell paracetamol under names like Efferalgan and Panadol. They work fine but cost 3-5x what you pay in India. Bring your own.
Cuts, Scrapes & Wound Care
| Item | Indian Brand | Packing Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Band-Aid waterproof plasters | Generic | 1 box (20+) |
| Sterile gauze pads | Generic | 5 pieces |
| Micropore tape | Generic | 1 roll |
| Betadine solution (10% povidone-iodine) | Betadine | 1 small bottle (30ml) |
| Cotton swabs | Generic | 1 pack |
| Antiseptic cream (Soframycin) | Soframycin | 1 small tube |
| Burnol | Generic | 1 small tube |
Critical for scooter riders: Scooter scrapes are the #1 reason Indian backpackers end up at Vietnamese clinics. Betadine + waterproof plasters handle 90% of road rash without a doctor visit.
Skin & Fungal
| Item | Indian Brand | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Clotrimazole cream | Candid, Clocip | Fungal infections, heat rash |
| Clotrimazole powder | Candid Dusting | Groin/feet fungal prevention |
| Sunscreen SPF 50+ | Lakme, Neutrogena | Vietnam sun is brutal |
| DEET 30%+ repellent | Odomos Max, All-Out | Dengue prevention |
| Calamine lotion | Generic | Itching from bites |
| Hydrocortisone cream | Generic | Severe itching/allergic reactions |
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Buy DEET 30%+ in India (Odomos Max or Jungle Formula). The DEET products sold in Vietnamese pharmacies are often weaker 10-15% formulations that need reapplying every 2 hours. Indian brands are stronger and cheaper.
Eye, Ear & Dental
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Ciprofloxacin eye drops | For dust/eye infections |
| Saline nasal spray | Pollution in Hanoi is real |
| Oil of cloves (eugenol) | Toothache emergency |
| Paracetamol for dental pain | Same as fever dose |
Other Useful Items
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Hand sanitizer (small bottle) | Vietnamese street food stalls rarely have soap |
| Toilet paper roll (in ziplock) | Many public toilets have no paper |
| Wet wipes (unscented) | Same reason |
| Insect repellent plug-in | For hotel rooms in Mekong/mountain areas |
| Rehydration salts extra | Heat + alcohol = dehydration |
| Sleeping aid (Melatonin 3mg) | Long bus journeys, jet lag |
What NOT to Pack
- Large first aid kits: Those pre-made 50-piece camping kits include items you will never use (finger splints, snake bite kits). Skip them.
- Heavy antibiotics: A 30-strip Augmentin is overkill. Carry a 3-5 day course max.
- Injectables: You will not self-inject. Skip syringes.
- Expired medicines from your parent’s cabinet: Check dates. Old antibiotics fail.
Where to Buy Medicines in Vietnam
Hanoi Pharmacy Scene
Hanoi has the best pharmacy density in Vietnam. The Old Quarter has dozens within a 1km radius.
Trustworthy chains:
- Pharmacity: Vietnam’s largest chain, clean, English-speaking staff, fixed prices. Look for the green cross logo. Most tourist areas have one within 10 minutes.
- Guardian: Similar to Pharmacity, mall-based.
- Long Chau: Local chain, slightly cheaper, sometimes pushy upselling.
Street pharmacies: Smaller “Nha Thuoc” shops. Prices are 30-50% lower than chains. Quality is generally good but staff English varies. Stick to chains if you need specific brands.
Common Vietnamese Pharmacy Vocabulary
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy | Nhà Thuốc | ”nah took” |
| Doctor | Bác Sĩ | ”bak see” |
| Antibiotic | Kháng Sinh | ”khang sin” |
| Diarrhea medicine | Thuốc Tiêu Chảy | ”tuhk tee-uh ch-eye” |
| Painkiller | Thuốc Giảm Đau | ”tuhk zam dow” |
| Mosquito repellent | Thuốc Chống Muỗi | ”tuhk chong moy” |
| Stomach medicine | Thuốc Đau Dạ Dày | ”tuhk dow yah z-eye” |
What to Buy in Vietnam vs India
| Item | Buy in India | Buy in Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| ORS sachets | Yes (cheaper) | Yes (Pharmacity) |
| Paracetamol | Yes (cheaper) | Yes (Efferalgan) |
| Antibiotics | Yes (prescribed) | Yes (OTC, easy) |
| DEET repellent | Yes (stronger) | Yes (weaker) |
| Sunscreen | Yes (cheaper) | Either |
| Specialty drugs (antimalarials) | Yes | Avoid |
Emergency Scenarios: What to Do When Things Go Wrong
Severe Food Poisoning
- Stop eating. Sip ORS every 15 minutes.
- Take loperamide (2mg) after first loose stool.
- Start Metrogyl 400mg three times daily for 3 days.
- If fever above 38.5°C, blood in stool, or symptoms over 48 hours, see a doctor.
- Go to a Pharmacity or any clinic for IV rehydration if you cannot keep water down.
Mosquito Bites & Suspected Dengue
Dengue fever hits 50,000+ Vietnamese a year. Symptoms: high fever 4-7 days after bite, severe joint/muscle pain, rash, headache behind eyes.
- If you develop these symptoms 4-7 days after mosquito exposure, see a doctor immediately.
- Dengue requires blood test confirmation, no specific treatment.
- Avoid aspirin (bleeding risk), use paracetamol only.
Cuts, Scrapes & Animal Bites
- Wash wound with clean water + soap immediately.
- Apply Betadine, cover with sterile gauze + bandage.
- For deep wounds or animal bites, see a doctor within 24 hours.
- Rabies risk is real in Vietnam. Dog bites require post-exposure vaccine series (4-5 shots over 14-28 days). Most clinics in Vietnam stock it. Cost: ₹736-₹1,840 (~200,000-500,000 VND or ~$7.64-$19.10) per shot.
For full emergency procedures, read our Vietnam emergency medical help guide.
Severe Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis)
Carry an EpiPen if you have known severe allergies. Vietnamese ambulances are slow. Take a Grab to the nearest international hospital immediately. Major cities have Vinmec or Family Medical Practice clinics with English-speaking ERs.
Indian-Specific Travel Health Tips
Prescription Medicines
If you take any prescription medicines (thyroid, BP, diabetes, psychiatric meds), carry:
- Double supply (one in hand luggage, one in checked bag)
- Original pharmacy label showing your name
- Doctor’s letter on letterhead listing the medicines
- Generic names, not just brand names
Vaccination Records
Carry your yellow International Certificate of Vaccination (ICVP) if you have yellow fever requirements from a transit country (Singapore, for example).
Food Safety for Vegetarians
If you are vegetarian, your risk profile changes. Vietnamese cuisine uses fish sauce (nuoc mam) in almost everything, including dishes that look vegetarian. For safe veg food in Hanoi, eat at known vegetarian restaurants like Nhà An (vegan-friendly Vietnamese) or Vegetarian restaurant (simple veg Vietnamese meals). Always specify “khong nuoc mam” (no fish sauce).
In Dalat, try Now Restaurant for vegetarian-friendly hotpot and rice dishes, or Aldente DaLat for Italian vegetarian options.
Connectivity: Stay Reachable for Emergencies
Working data is the fastest way to call for help or pull up an embassy number.
- Local SIM (Viettel or Mobifone): ₹368-₹552 (~100,000-150,000 VND or ~$3.82-$5.73) for 30 days with 5-7 GB/day. Buy at airport or any Viettel store.
- eSIM option: If you want to land with working data, Get Nomad eSIM before you fly. Loads on landing, no queue at airport SIM stalls.
Save these numbers offline (screenshot + WhatsApp to yourself):
- Vietnam ambulance: 115
- Vietnam police: 113
- Indian Embassy Hanoi: +84 24 3845 3738
Subodh’s Take
Eighty percent of what I see travellers panic-buying in Hanoi pharmacies they could have carried from India for one-third the price. Pack the stomach kit properly (ORS + Metrogyl + probiotic), do not skip DEET repellent, and know your rabies plan before you ride that scooter in Da Nang. The rest is theatre.
FAQ
Is Indian paracetamol sold in Vietnam?
Not under Indian brand names. Vietnamese pharmacies sell paracetamol as Efferalgan (dispersible), Panadol, or generic “Paracetamol 500mg.” All work identically. Cheaper to bring from India.
Can I buy antibiotics in Vietnam without a prescription?
Yes. Most antibiotics (Metronidazole, Amoxicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Azithromycin) are sold OTC at Vietnamese pharmacies. This is faster than India but means you should know what you’re buying. For serious infections, see a doctor.
Do I need malaria tablets for Vietnam?
Most of Vietnam (Hanoi, Hoi An, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang) does not require malaria prophylaxis. Mekong Delta and remote forest areas do. Consult a travel clinic. Dengue is the bigger risk everywhere, and there is no preventive medication.
What if I run out of a prescription medicine in Vietnam?
Visit any Pharmacity or Long Chau pharmacy. Show them the Indian strip or the generic name. For controlled substances (sleeping pills, strong painkillers), bring a doctor letter and expect stricter checks.
Is the rabies vaccine available in Vietnam?
Yes, at all major hospitals and international clinics. Post-exposure series costs around ₹3,680-₹9,200 (~1,000,000-2,500,000 VND or ~$38.20-$95.51) total (4-5 shots). If you had pre-exposure vaccine in India, you only need 2 booster shots instead of 4.
Should I pack mosquito nets?
Most hostels in Vietnam provide mosquito nets or plug-in repellent in rooms. Skip the net unless you are trekking in Sapa or the Mekong Delta.
Are tampons/sanitary products easy to find in Vietnam?
Pads are everywhere. Tampons are less common outside major cities. If you prefer tampons or menstrual cups, bring your own supply.
