Is Vietnam, Hanoi pretty dangerous?

Question

not just talking about people, but like bug wise.

my doctor was telling me to wear long pants and long sleeves, but how can i if the heat is gonna be like killing me.

so do you think its gonna be safe to wear shorts and stuff.

Answer 1

Where is you doctor located.  Heat stroke is more likely to kill you than a bug bite in Hanoi.  While I enjoy Hanoi for its old town and many great restaurants and beer gardens, it is one of the warmest and most humid of Citys in Vietnam.  

I have had no problems with insects in this area and even if I did its a simple fix.  A little insect repelant on your hands, forearms, feet and lower legs and you no longer have a problem.  The only real problem with insect born diseases is in The Central Highlands and its not malaria but...

DENGUE FEVER

Risk: Dengue fever occurs throughout Southeast Asia with epidemics most recently in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, East and West Malaysia, Burma (Myanmar), Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The risk of infection is small for most travelers except during periods of epidemic transmission.

Prevention: There is no vaccine for dengue fever, therefore the traveler should avoid mosquito bites. These mosquitoes bite mainly in the daytime.

Remember, if you are going to be dealing with government officials or doing serious business with the locals, wearing long pants and a good shirt with a collar is kind of a social norm.  You will get much more respect this way and it will smooth your transactions.  

But when just puttering around, shorts and t shirts are the norm for westerners.

Use common sense and you won't have any problems.

Also check out this quote;

Viet Nam: malaria risk in all areas, except the cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. In this region the dominant form of malaria is P. falciparum (the most dangerous type), which has been reported to be resistant to the drug chloroquine.

Answer 2

I travelled around Vietnam for 5 weeks!

If you wear long sleeved shirts with pants your going to die from the heat.

I wore shorts and t-shirts all the time when in Vietnam. But you should get vaccinations and buy a lot of bug spray.

When you go to sleep get a mosquito net to keep the mozzies out and you should be fine.

Answer 3

Ha Noi is hot and humid. Short sleeves are common. Shorts are not (for cultural reasons). Many tourists wear shorts, some, but not many Vietnamese do.

I lived in Ha Noi for 4 years - and I wore short sleeves most of  the time except during the winter.

You are not at risk of malaria. There are other mosquito-borne diseases, and diseases aside, the mosquitoes can be a pain sometimes so a splash of  mosquito repellent may be in order, if you are in areas where mosquitoes are a problem.

And to answer the first question you posed - No, Ha Noi is not dangerous, especially compared to dangerous places, like Washington, DC, Nairobi, Joburg, Chicago, etc. Viet Nam is one of the safest countries I have been to, and I have been to a lot of countries.

Answer 4

let come to Vietnam - special in Hanoi, i will show you what thing you should do and what you shouldn't . You will be fall in love with my city :))

Answer 5

I had worn those long sleeves jerseys made with high tech fabrics by Nike, Adidas in both VN and India last May.  It keep you cool plus give protection from the sun and bugs.  Shorts are OK during daytime.  Make sure you drink enough clean water to ward off heat strokes.

Answer 6

no, trust me, it's safe. i've been there a couple times and i wore short sleeves. nothing happened. it's fine, go ahead and wear short sleeves. you'll probably get a few mosquitos bite

Answer 7

Weather: The Earth is hotter and hotter, Hanoi is also in that consequence, however it's not too bad. But of course, avoid to go out in the noon time if you are not in a car.

Life: Pretty safe, Hanoi is one of the most safest cities in the world, even compare to cities like London for example. In general, Vietnamese people are friendly so that it's safe to travel in VN.