galiano

Some last minute questions before we leave : is it necessary to use insect repellant in HCMC ?

How safe is it walking around Siem Reap in the evening ?

Craig

It is safe walking around SR in the evening - my wife went to one of the markets by herself one night when we were there. There are lots of other people around in the major tourist areas so you should not worry.

I have not been to HCMC but in most places in SE Asia in February, the insects and mosquitoes aren't much of a problem. If you feel uncomfortable about malaria risk, be sure to use it if you are out at dusk or if you are eating outdoors at night.

book_it

We did not see one mositquo in Vietnam or Siem Reap except at the airport when we landed after dark - and we sat outside at night to eat! With that being said, please take your RX against Malaria. The diease is a real risk. We didn't stop taking ours just because we didn't see any.

After dark, anywhere in the world, one should be street-smart but I'd say Siem Reap is very safe at night in the tourist areas.

book_it

spell check! disease. sorry.

Bisbee

I've seen a lot more mosquitos in HCMC in the past week than I've seen in the past 6 months. Every taxi I've taken in the morning this week has had mosquitos flying around in them. Haven't been biten yet, but for some reason mosquitos don't like me!

galiano

Craig : thanks for your reply. I assumed that about Siem Reap.

book it : We have Malarone to take. No mosquitoes ? When were you there ??

Bisbee : So we should put on the deet in HCMC ??

Bisbee

That's up to you. I have never worn mosquito repellant in HCMC. But there are definitely more mozzies around than normal. If you're a mozzie magnet, then perhaps you should wear some repellant. Night time is probably when you would need it most.

book_it

We were in HCMC Dec 21 for a few days then traveled to Hue, HoiAn, DaNang, Hanoi, Siem Reap and back to HCMC on Jan 7. The only mosquitoes we saw were at the Siem Reap airport around the light walking into the airport at night. I'm sure there was millions out there but they didn't bite us, for whatever reason. *shrug* I packed 2 bottles of spray 40%DEET. We sprayed it on us at the beginning of our trip in HCMC but gave up when we saw they weren't going to be a problem. I also packed a bottle of Sawyer Permethrin laundry wash too in case they were worse than expected but didn't use it either. I suggest you take spray and RX. Don't risk it. It doesn't take up that much space in luggage and it could prevent serious illness. And,I HIGHLY recommend you take a face mask to Hanoi and HCMC as the smog is TERRIBLE at night when they motos come out of sleeping.

galiano

We'll be on the Mekong on a boat to Siem Reap for 8 days so will use both deet and permethrin.

Good to hear that mosquitoes in HCMC aren't a problem - Perhaps the smog has killed them all.

Face masks - yikes !

Bisbee

Face Mask? The locals mostly wear them to avoid dust and to keep the sun off their faces. You don't see many locals wearing them at night. Doubtful you'll need one.

The motos are never sleeping. Daytime is actually worse in HCMC when they allow the big container trucks and other big rigs to pass through the city into the port. From 4-9pm, this isn't allowed, so there is less diesel pollution during that time.

Only you will be able to tell us if the mosquitos are a problem in HCMC. But I can tell you that there are a lot of them around right now.

galiano

Thanks Bisbee. If there are mosquitoes the damn things always find me first. We'll expect the worst.

The smog might not be as bad during Tet ( I hope ) which is when we will be there.

book_it

Sorry to dispute you a little Bisbee but quite a few locals in Vietnam DO wear face masks. Especially in the bigger cities. Especially at night in the Old Quarters, where it is most congested. And Especially in Saigon and Hanoi.

I have HUNDREDS of photos to back me up. Check out my blog on that very subject. lol

http://facemasksvietnam.blogspot.com

I wasn't quite done but since the subject came up... have a look. *shrug*

The smog isn't as bad as some big cities I've been in the world but it was certainly enough that I could tell the irriatation in my eyes, nose and throat the next day.

They might indeed wear them also for sun protection. No arguement there. I heard that also. *shrug*
I just know what I saw is what I saw. Lots of face masks.

Bisbee

I never disputed that people wore face masks, book_it. What I did say is most wear them during the day to keep the sun and dust from their faces. The photos on your provided blog are all taken during the day and yes they are wearing face masks, just as I said, *shrug*. You don't see nearly as many locals wearing face masks during the evening, especially in HCMC. This is when a lot of the young and beautiful people are out trying to look their best while they cruise around town. Wearing a face mask isn't the best way to flirt with a potential boy/girlfriend. Sure, some people do, but not nearly as many as during the day. Sun protection is indeed the main reason a lot wear them. You should have also noticed that many women also wear long gloves to cover their hands/arms, or when their arms are covered, they wear gloves to cover their hands (noticed this in some of your pictures). Dark skin is a sign that you work outside for a living. Vietnamese women do not want dark skin.

I'm glad you were able to spend a few days in Vietnam as it's a special place, but recommending tourists wear face masks walking around town is a little much. Not sure if any other people posting on this site have ever worn a mask in Vietnam when they were walking down Dong Khoi street or around Hoan Kiem Lake, or the Old Quarter (located in Hanoi). I've never worn a face mask in HCMC, or anywhere else in VN when walking around. Walking down Sukhumvit road is much more polluted than any place in HCMC. Haven't worn a mask there either.

BostonHarbor

Just got back from HCMC. I didn't see any of the moquitos that others say they are seeing. I didn't wear insect repellent in HCMC. However I was only there for three days and I can assure you there are none at the rooftop Saigon Saigon Bar at the top of the Caravelle Hotel where I spent many a late evening hour

I didn't wear a face mask nor did I see any tourist with a face mask. However, I have never worn a face mask anywhere in Asia. Yes, the pollution is bad, but I found it easier to manage cities in Vietnam than Delhi or Shanghai. Because lots of Vietnamese wear masks when they are on their motorbikes, and it is almost a fashion statement (some have "hello kitty" emblems on them), it may appear their polution is greater in HCMC and Hanoi. I didn't find that. If you can handle China and India without a mask, you can handle the air in Vietnam.

I did not see masks on locals at night except when they were on their motorbikes. If one has to wear a mask, I think it can take away from the experience and the local's attitude towards you. That being said, do what makes your comfortable if you have respiratory issues. Either way, you will love Vietnam

Siem Reap seems just fine at night. It is not exactly the hot spot of the SE world, but "Bar Street" is fun. Make sure your go to "Angkor What?" bar and get a black T-shirt. They're great.

galiano

Thanks Boston Harbour. I'll have to hang out in those roof top bars to avoid the mosquitoes.

I have indeed been in some fairly polluted cities and haven't yet worn a facemask. Probably never will. The last time I was in Kaohsiung, in the south of Taiwan, the air was so bad I don't think you could see more than a city block. Maybe I should have been wearing a mask