Sick in Ho Chi Minh City? Pharmacy & Clinic Guide for Travelers (2026)

Hi, I'm Hazuki from ít ít Việt Nam.

Getting sick while you're traveling abroad is stressful, isn't it?
"Which pharmacy should I go to?"
"What medicines can I get there?"
"Should I just see a doctor?"

Ho Chi Minh City has plenty of options for travelers, from pharmacy chains on busy streets to private clinics that foreign visitors and residents commonly use. From the point of view of someone who lives here, this guide covers the pharmacies and clinics worth knowing before you go, plus a few common medicines you'll see on pharmacy shelves.

Pharmacies in Ho Chi Minh City: What to Know First

Pharmacies Are Everywhere in Ho Chi Minh City

On the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, you'll often see these pharmacies:

• Pharmacity
• Long Châu
• An Khang

All three are chains with branches across Vietnam. When you think, "It's not bad enough to see a doctor, but I'd like some medicine," these are handy names to remember.

The Japanese drugstore chain TSURUHA DRUG also has a store in District 1. It sells medicine along with everyday goods, so it's an easy stop between sightseeing and shopping.

How to Communicate at a Pharmacy

Depending on the shop and the staff, you may be able to ask for advice in English at pharmacies in Ho Chi Minh City. If explaining your symptoms in Vietnamese is hard, try these:

• Show a photo of the packaging: If you take a medicine at home, keep a photo showing the product name and ingredients. It makes things much easier to explain
• Use simple English words for symptoms: headache for a headache, fever for a fever. Simple words are enough
• Use a translation app: The translation, ride-hailing, and other apps worth installing before your trip are collected in Essential Apps & Tools for a Smoother Vietnam Trip

Before You Buy: What to Check

• Don't leave everything to the staff. Even when the product name is the same, the ingredients and amounts can differ, and you might be offered something that doesn't fit your symptoms. Check the ingredients and what it's for before you buy
• Some medicines need a prescription. How pharmacies handle this can differ, so if you can't buy something, don't push your luck. Ask a pharmacist or doctor instead
• If you have a medical condition or take medicine regularly, it's safest to ask a pharmacist or doctor first
• Keep the receipt and the box. They'll help when you explain things at a hospital later
• Buying part of a box: For some medicines you can buy a single strip or a single sachet instead of a whole box. You can't always buy a single tablet, though. Quantities and packaging vary by medicine and by shop

Where to Buy Medicine in Ho Chi Minh City: Pharmacity and TSURUHA DRUG

Pharmacity | A Big Chain You Can Find Easily in Ho Chi Minh City

If you're looking for a pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City, "Pharmacity" is the first name to remember. Its official website says there are 22 branches in the city that are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year (as of June 2026). In the District 1 tourist area, these two are listed as 24-hour branches:

Nhà thuốc Pharmacity-Lê Thánh Tôn
📍 13A Lê Thánh Tôn, Sài Gòn, Hồ Chí Minh
⏰ Open 24 hours
→ Google Map

Nhà thuốc Pharmacity-Hai Bà Trưng
📍 97 Hai Bà Trưng, Sài Gòn, Hồ Chí Minh
⏰ Open 24 hours
→ Google Map

*Opening hours can change. If you're going at night, check the branch's current status on Google Maps before you set out.

TSURUHA DRUG | A Japanese Drugstore That Also Sells Everyday Goods

TSURUHA DRUG is a Japanese drugstore chain that opened its first Vietnam store in Ho Chi Minh City in July 2025. The only store we can confirm is this one, on Lý Tự Trọng Street near Vincom Center, an easy stop between sightseeing and shopping.

Besides medicine, it also sells cosmetics and household goods. If there's something you forgot to bring from home, look for it here along with your medicine.

Tsuruha Drug Store
📍 43 Lý Tự Trọng, Sài Gòn, Hồ Chí Minh
⏰ Weekdays 7:00–22:00 / Weekends and holidays 10:00–22:00 (per the official announcement at opening)
→ Google Map

*The address, hours, and products can change. Please check the latest status on Google Maps before you visit.

How to Read the Medicines You'll See at Vietnamese Pharmacies

1. For Headaches and Fever | Fever Reducers and Pain Relievers

JAPROLOX

JAPROLOX is an anti-inflammatory pain reliever whose active ingredient is loxoprofen sodium hydrate. You'll see it in pharmacies in Vietnam.

• Ingredient: Loxoprofen (loxoprofen sodium hydrate). Loxonin, a well-known painkiller in Japan, has the same active ingredient. 60 mg per tablet (as stated on the sales page)
• Type: Rather than a plain "fever reducer and pain reliever," it's an anti-inflammatory pain reliever (NSAID). The sales page says it's used for things like lower back pain, joint pain, and reducing fever and pain from acute upper respiratory infections
• Caution: Even with the same active ingredient, the amount and how to take it can differ between products. According to the sales page, it can't be used by people with stomach or duodenal ulcers or a history of aspirin-induced asthma, and it says to avoid using it together with other anti-inflammatory painkillers or for a long time

Panadol

Panadol is one of the fever reducers and pain relievers you'll often see in Vietnamese pharmacies. A standard Panadol contains paracetamol (also called acetaminophen). It's used for things like headaches and fever, but the ingredients differ between products.

• Caution 1: The same brand comes in different versions. For example, on Pharmacity's listings, Panadol Extra contains 500 mg of paracetamol plus 65 mg of caffeine, while Panadol Cold & Flu contains 500 mg of paracetamol plus caffeine and phenylephrine hydrochloride. Don't go by the color of the box. Check the product name and the ingredients
• Caution 2: Cold medicines can also contain paracetamol. Take care not to double up with other cold medicines or fever reducers and pain relievers

2. For an Upset Stomach | Anti-Diarrhea and Digestive Medicines

Smecta

"Smecta" is one of the medicines used for diarrhea. Its main active ingredient is diosmectite, and one type is mixed with water and drunk.

• Ingredient: Diosmectite (3 g per sachet). It's an anti-diarrhea medicine that coats the lining of the intestines and adsorbs substances that cause diarrhea
• Types: Smecta is a powder you mix with water and drink. SmectaGo is a liquid you drink as it is. How you take it depends on which one you buy, so read the instructions on the box
• Caution: Depending on age or a medical condition, some people can't use it. It's not meant to be taken for a long time, and the timing of other medicines also needs attention. If you're not sure, ask a pharmacist

Diarrhea has many causes, and replacing fluids and electrolytes matters too. If you have severe abdominal pain, a high fever, blood in your stool, signs of dehydration, or diarrhea that won't go away, don't rely on medicine alone. Please see a doctor.

If you'd like to avoid stomach trouble in the first place, also read Vietnam Travel Water Safety Guide: Brushing Teeth, Ice, and Raw Vegetables. And since toilets are what you'll care about most on a bad stomach day, Vietnam Toilet Guide for Travelers: 5 Tips for Toilet Paper and Bidet Sprays is worth reading in advance too.

3. Against Bugs | Insect Repellent and Anti-Itch

Rohto's "Remos" Series

Insect bites are another concern when traveling in Vietnam. If you're looking for a repellent or something for after a bite, check out Rohto's "Remos" series.

• It's a Rohto-Mentholatum brand with insect repellents (creams, sprays, a baby version, and more)
• The anti-itch product for after a bite (Remos Anti-Itch) is a separate product. When you buy, check whether it's for "repelling" or for "itching"
• Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends long sleeves, long pants, and insect repellent spray to guard against dengue fever

4. When You Feel a Cold Coming On | Throat, Nose, and Cough

Decolgen

"Decolgen" is one of the cold medicines you'll see in Vietnamese pharmacies.

• It's a product used for symptoms that come with a cold (runny nose, sneezing, fever, and so on)
• The ingredients differ between products. In the examples on sales pages, they include paracetamol, phenylephrine, and chlorpheniramine
• It can make you drowsy (products containing chlorpheniramine). With phenylephrine, people with high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid disease, or diabetes should be careful
• Don't take it together with other medicines that contain paracetamol

More Than Medicine: Handy Items You Can Buy at Pharmacies

Some shops sell handy items besides medicine. It helps to know a few that tend to come in useful when traveling.

• Wet wipes: Handy for cleaning your hands before and after meals or when you're out and about
• Cooling sheets: Cooling pads to use when you have a fever. They are not a substitute for medicine, so respond according to your symptoms
• Face masks: For when the air feels dry or dusty
• Adhesive bandages: First aid for blisters from shoes and small cuts
• Menstrual products: Pads and similar items are available locally when you need them
• Contact lens supplies: Some shops carry cleaning solution and the like. Products and stock vary by shop

If you can't find something at a pharmacy, try supermarkets, convenience stores, or drugstores too.

When to See a Doctor in Ho Chi Minh City: 3 Private Clinics Travelers Use

In situations like these, don't try to manage with a pharmacy. Please go to a medical facility:

• Your symptoms are serious, or a high fever continues
• You've been injured
• You have severe abdominal pain, blood in your stool, signs of dehydration, or diarrhea that won't go away

🐕 If You're Bitten by an Animal (Beware of Rabies)

According to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, rabies has been confirmed throughout Vietnam, and 82 people died of it in 2023. Many dogs aren't tied up, and bites are common.

What to do

1. Wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes (World Health Organization guidance). Disinfect it too, if you can. Don't suck the wound with your mouth
2. See a medical facility as soon as possible to have the wound treated and get the rabies vaccine (post-exposure vaccination)
3. After you return home, tell your doctor you were bitten by an animal in Vietnam, and follow your own country's health authority guidance

This applies even if you weren't bitten. A lick or a scratch can also carry a risk of infection, so please get checked. Even if the wound is small, don't put it off.

📞 How to Think About Emergency Contacts

• Vietnam's emergency numbers are 113 for police, 114 for fire, and 115 for an ambulance
• However, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not recommend calling 115, because the line works in Vietnamese only and you can't choose which hospital you're taken to. Instead, it advises contacting the service desk of a hospital or clinic that foreign residents commonly use and asking them to send their own ambulance, or going to an emergency room yourself
• The same ministry's information says most foreigners use private hospitals and clinics. Public hospitals are crowded and operate in Vietnamese, so it does not recommend them for foreigners
• That source also notes that emergency rooms at private hospitals are mostly open 24 hours and need no appointment, while specialist outpatient visits generally require one

Your own government also publishes travel advice and can help in an emergency. Before you leave, check your government's travel advice for Vietnam, and save the contact details of your embassy or consulate.

3 Private Clinics That Travelers Use

It's a good idea to save the locations and contact details on your phone before you travel, so you won't panic when you need them. Here are 3 private clinics that foreign visitors and residents use. All three have a Japanese-language desk or Japanese doctors, so Japanese speakers can use the "Japanese-language service" line under each one.

1. Family Medical Practice Vietnam (FMP) | An International Clinic Used by Visitors and Residents

FMP is an international clinic used by foreign visitors and residents, with several locations in Ho Chi Minh City.

Diamond Plaza Clinic (District 1)
📍 Diamond Plaza Building, 34 Le Duan Street, Saigon Ward
→ Google Map
⏰ The official website says "24 hours, 365 days," but hospital lists from Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Australian government show daytime hours only. If you're going at night, call first to check

Thao Dien Clinic (District 2)
📍 95 Thao Dien Street, An Khanh Ward
→ Google Map
⏰ 24 hours, 365 days (the FMP website, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Australian government all agree)

Emergencies (24 hours)
📞 *9999 (from a Vietnamese phone) / +84 28 3744 9000
*From a foreign SIM, *9999 may not connect, so travelers should save +84 28 3744 9000 in advance

• Specialties: A wide range, including internal medicine, pediatrics, dermatology, obstetrics and gynecology, and orthopedics. Specialties vary by location
• English: Yes. FMP's website states that it offers multilingual service in English and Vietnamese, and the Australian government's hospital list (July 2026 edition) also lists its Ho Chi Minh City locations as English- and Vietnamese-speaking
• Other languages: We couldn't confirm any other languages from public information. If you need one, ask when you book
• Japanese-language service (extra information for Japanese speakers): There is a Japanese-language contact desk, and some departments have Japanese doctors or Japanese interpreters. Check the actual staffing when you book. The Japanese desk is not open 24 hours: Monday to Friday 8:00–17:00, Saturday 8:00–12:00. Phone numbers (as listed by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs): District 1 028-3822-7848 / District 2 028-3744-2000 / District 7 028-3822-1919 (when calling from overseas, drop the leading 0 and add +84)
• Booking: Check by phone or on the official website. Except for emergencies, appointments are the general rule
• Travel insurance: Whether it's accepted depends on your insurer and your policy, so check before your visit
• Official website: https://www.vietnammedicalpractice.com/ (Japanese page: https://www.vietnammedicalpractice.com/ja/)

2. LOTUS CLINIC | A Central District 1 Clinic with Japanese Doctors

LOTUS CLINIC is a general practice clinic centered on internal medicine. It also sees patients for ophthalmology, ENT, dermatology, and similar needs to the extent it can handle them. It has no inpatient or surgical facilities.

📍 22 Lê Thánh Tôn, Sài Gòn, Hồ Chí Minh (3rd floor, Lancaster Building)
→ Google Map
⏰ Monday–Friday 9:00–12:30 / 14:00–18:00, Saturday 9:00–13:00
📅 Closed on Sundays, Saturday afternoons, and Vietnamese holidays. No consultations after 18:00
📞 028-3827-0000

• Booking: Appointments are basically made by phone, and LINE also works. You can be seen without one, but you may wait longer or may not be seen the same day, so for a first visit, calling ahead is best
• English and other languages: We couldn't confirm what language service is available in English or other languages from public information. If you need one, ask when you book
• Japanese-language service (extra information for Japanese speakers): Japanese doctors see patients during clinic hours
• Travel insurance: It varies by insurer and policy, so check in advance
• Official website: https://lotus-clinic.com/

3. DYM Medical Center | A Medical Center Where You Can Get By in English and Japanese

DYM Medical Center has several clinics in Ho Chi Minh City. We introduce the District 1 clinic here, and there is also a clinic in District 7.

📍 District 1 Clinic: Room B103, Basement 1, mPlaza Saigon Building, No. 39 Le Duan Street, Sai Gon Ward
→ Google Map
⏰ Japanese doctors' consultations: Monday–Saturday 9:00–12:30 / 14:00–17:30. No Japanese doctor on Wednesdays
📞 English and Vietnamese 028-3521-0170 / Japanese 028-3521-0172

• Specialties: Internal medicine, pediatrics, ophthalmology, dentistry, ENT, and more (the actual departments vary by clinic, so check the official website)
• English: Yes. The official English website states that its medical staff can communicate in languages including English, Japanese, and Vietnamese
• Other languages: We couldn't confirm any other languages from public information. If you need one, ask when you book
• Japanese-language service (extra information for Japanese speakers): The official website says each clinic has Japanese doctors and Japanese-Vietnamese interpreters on site. Check the actual consultation days and staffing when you book
• Booking: By phone, LINE, or the booking form. You can walk in without an appointment, but it may be crowded, or you may not be able to be seen depending on your symptoms
• Travel insurance: It varies by insurer and policy, so check in advance
• Official website: https://www.dymmedicalcenter.com.vn/en (Japanese site: https://jp-dymmedicalcenter.com.vn/). Closures during holiday periods are announced on the official website, so take a look before you go

*Addresses, consultation hours, available languages, specialties, and insurance acceptance at hospitals and clinics can change. Please check the latest information on the official website or by phone before you visit.

Take Care of Yourself and Enjoy Ho Chi Minh City ♪

While you're out sightseeing and looking for souvenirs, it's also nice to look for something one-of-a-kind and distinctly Vietnamese.

At ít ít Việt Nam, we upcycle fragments of traditional Sông Bé pottery, handmade ceramics from Bình Dương, Vietnam, into one-of-a-kind pieces like our Kakera earrings and Kakera necklace, each with its own unique character.

Whether you want something to wear as a reminder of your trip, or a favorite you'll keep using long after you're home, please come and visit us at the shop ♪

Visit ít ít Việt Nam In Person 📍

Ho Chi Minh City Store — Just Steps from Bến Thành Market

📍 3rd floor, 14 Đ. Nguyễn An Ninh, Bến Thành, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
→ Google Map
⏰ 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🚶 2-minute walk from Bến Thành Market
💳 Cash and credit cards accepted

Hội An Store — Perfect for an Old Town Stroll

📍 567 Đ. Hai Bà Trưng, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam
→ Google Map
⏰ 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
🚶 About 10 minutes on foot from the Hội An Japanese Covered Bridge
💳 Cash and credit cards accepted

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