Vietnam Wilderness Safety

Staying warm, dry, and well hydrated is key to a happy and safe wilderness experience. For any hike, prepare yourself for an emergency by packing a first-aid kit, a reflector, a whistle, high-energy food, extra water, raingear, a hat, mittens, and extra socks. Paying a little extra for the best raingear is a worthwhile investment in Vietnam. For warmth, wear wool or insulating synthetic materials designed for the outdoors. Cotton is a bad choice since it dries painfully slowly.

Check weather forecasts often and pay attention to the skies when hiking, as weather patterns can change suddenly. Always let someone—a friend, your hostel, a park ranger, or a local hiking organization—know when and where you are going. Know your physical limits, and do not attempt a hike beyond your ability. See Safety and Health, for information on outdoor medical concerns.

Mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are your biggest wildlife concern in Vietnam. They are aggressive, and they are everywhere in the countryside. First and foremost, take your malaria medication daily and make sure you are vaccinated against other mosquito-borne diseases (dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis are the big ones). Insect repellent with DEET is recommended; more effective, and indispensable if you plan to sleep outdoors, are mosquito nets, ubiquitously available in cities. Wearing long shirts and pants can also help deter these ravenous pests. As a rule of thumb, wetter areas have more mosquitoes—if you go to the Mekong between May and November, make sure you have adequate mosquito deterrents.

Leeches. Sound gross? They are. Leeches are suave and quiet predators. They live in the shallow bottoms of ponds and lakes, and they’re most prevalent in the summer. Buy leech guards and cover every inch of flesh, and check yourself after any period of time spent wading through water or swimming. For that matter, do not swim anywhere unless explicitly told that the water is safe.

Snakes. US soldiers in the American War used to say that there are 100 types of snakes in Vietnam—99 were poisonous, and the last one could crush you to death. The real numbers are more like 140 species, around 30 of which are poisonous, including the famous King Cobra. The danger for tourists is low, but nearly 30,000 Vietnamese rice farmers get bitten every year, mostly by stepping on hidden snakes. If you’re walking through national parks or rice paddies, make sure to wear long pants and appropriate shoes; if you see a snake, maintain a respectful distance. If it has a triangular head (as many poisonous snakes do), simply leave the area. Snake bites, even poisonous ones, aren’t usually life-threatening if treated quickly and properly. Don’t bother snakes, and they shouldn’t bother you.