Ho Chi Minh City - Post Report Question and Answers
What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Allergies… I have those and it’s not easy but it’s manageable. For me, I went from spring and fall season allergies in DC to no environmental allergies here. Some folks have said they have mold issues in their place, but I don’t think that is allergies as much as it’s just unhealthy. It’s the tropics. Check your place for mold and get it dealt with as soon as possible. Also, use the dehumidifiers the office provides for you. I have had zero issues with mold, but I empty all four dehumidifiers twice a day. Food allergies can be difficult. I am severely allergic to peanuts in a city that loves sprinkling peanuts on top of their dishes. I knew this before coming here, so I was fully prepared. I keep two EpiPens on me as well as an arsenal of Benadryl. While people here don’t understand allergies and may just think you are being picky, I remove all doubt by providing them with the allergy card the Medical Unit created for me, and I learned how to say “I will die if I eat peanuts” in Vietnamese to drive the message home. I eat out at local joints all the time and it really isn’t a big concern for me anymore. Out of habit, I still dig through dishes that typically have peanuts in them to make sure there aren’t any. I’ve found a surprise peanut in only three different dishes after almost four years of living here. They are always super apologetic, but I still won’t return to those places as there are so many other places that will make sure my dishes are peanut-free. - Jul 2024
There is always something in bloom. Vehicle exhaust is inescapable. Soy or nut allergies would be very difficult to manage here. Soy sauce and peanuts are served in/with just about everything. - Sep 2021
Vietnam suffers from a dangerous cocktail of poverty and lack of governmental transparency. Poor farmers and struggling businesspeople make questionable choices with regard to environmental protection and product safety. The government suppresses media stories that try to expose these issues. As a result, there is a “buyer beware” culture, and a distrust of local products in general. Things are cheap here, but you get what you pay for. There is a growing awareness of food allergy and dietary requirements, but mainly in upscale places. Also a growing supply of organic food, but it’s impossible to verify just how clean and organic it really is. - Jul 2019
there are peanuts or peanut oil in almost all of the local food - so take care. If you live in a villa you might want to invest in a good HEPA air cleaner - the air is filthy and also mold grows really well here. - Mar 2016
I have an allergy to gluten, so I don’t eat out too much --- although there are a few restaurants here that actually have a gluten-free menu. You can get most foods in the markets for people with any type of allergy. - Aug 2015
