Gynecology in Ho Chi Minh City

Gynecology is the medical practice that focuses on the health of the female reproductive system, including the vagina, uterus, and ovaries. Doctors who specialize in this field are called gynecologists. They deal with a range of conditions, such as:

• Issues relating to menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, and fertility
• Family planning, including sterilization, contraception, and pregnancy termination
• Urinary and fecal incontinence
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Problems with tissue that support the pelvic organs, including muscles and ligaments
• Benign conditions of the reproductive tract, such as fibroids, breast disorders, ovarian cysts, as well as vulvar and vaginal ulcers
• Premalignant conditions, such as cervical dysplasia and endometrial hyperplasia
• Cancers of the breasts and reproductive tract, as well as pregnancy-related tumors
• Endometriosis, which is a chronic condition affecting the reproductive system
• Congenital abnormalities of the female reproductive tract
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Emergency care relating to gynecology
• Sexual dysfunction
• Sexuality, including health issues that relates to same-sex relationships.

Gynecologists are trained to carry out certain diagnostic and surgical procedures, including:

• Pap smear tests
• Colposcopy
• Ultrasound scanning
• Endometrial biopsy
• Hysteroscopy
• Diagnostic laparoscopy
• Hysterectomy
• Dilation and curettage
• Oophorectomy
• Tubal ligation
• Exploratory laparotomy
• Appendectomy
• Surgical treatments for urinary incontinence, such as cystoscopy and sub-urethral slings
• Surgical treatments for pelvic organ prolapse, such as rectocele and cystocele
• Cervical excision procedures, such as cryosurgery.

How Long Should I Stay in Ho Chi Minh City?

Your length of stay varies depending on the procedure you underwent. In general, you should be able to leave the hospital or clinic on the same day for diagnostic procedures, and stay in Ho Chi Minh City for around 2 to 7 days to wait for the results. For surgical procedures, you may need to stay in the hospital for about 2 to 5 days and stay in Ho Chi Minh City for 7 to 14 days. You will attend scheduled checkups where your gynecologist checks your condition and, if necessary, remove any stitches.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

After diagnostic procedures, you may be advised to rest for the remainder of the day before resuming your normal activities, including work the next day. After a surgical procedure, you may need to wait around four to six weeks until you return to work and do strenuous activities.

What Aftercare is Required?

You will have to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating a healthy diet and exercise regularly (as recommended by your doctor), to maintain your health and prevent any issues in the future. After surgery for a serious illness, you may feel very emotional and it is recommended that you seek support if this happens. You also need to attend regular checkups, typically once a year.

What's the Success Rate?

The field of gynecology continues to advance each year and gynecologists now have more information and a deeper understanding of the female reproductive system. This means that the success rate is now higher than it used to be. However, all procedures carry some risks. In gynecology procedures, the risks include infection, tearing or damage to the cervix, pelvic inflammatory disease, damage to nearby organs, chronic pain, and vaginal prolapse.

Are there Alternatives?

Seeing a gynecologist is crucial if you experience any problems with your reproductive system. Therefore, there is no alternative to seeing a gynecologist. If your conditions are found to be caused by other diseases unrelated to the reproductive system, your gynecologist will refer you or work together with the relevant specialist.

Gynecology in and around Ho Chi Minh City

About Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh City also referred to by its former name of Saigon, is Vietnam’s largest city. Although it is busy and chaotic, the city is actually teeming with wonderful shops, intriguing history, delicious food, and fantastic nightlife. While many people normally come to the city to explore its temples and museums, there’s also a growing trend of medical tourism. More and more people are coming to the city to take advantage of healthcare. One of the main reasons behind Ho Chi Minh’s emerging popularity in medical tourism is affordable prices. It’s more affordable to have any treatment performed here than in Thailand and Singapore.

Popular Parts of Ho Chi Minh

There are 19 districts in Ho Chi Minh, but the most popular one is District 1 (also known as Saigon District), which serves as the city center. Here, visitors can find bars, restaurants, cafés, and iconic landmarks. Some of the most popular attractions in this district are the Bitexco Tower Skydeck, the Independence Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral and Post Office, Bui Vien Street, and Nguyen Hue Walking Street. Besides District 1, Chinatown or Cholon is also very popular as it is home to the biggest Chinese community in this country, and Binh Tay Market is its main draw. Full of great food, history, and wonderful sights, this area is an excellent place to wander around and have fun.

Transport in Ho Chi Minh

The main gateway to Ho Chi Minh is the Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport, which is the busiest airport in Vietnam. It serves flights to and from numerous cities in Asia, including Bangkok, Singapore, and Seoul. There are also several low-cost airlines available for budget travelers, such as VietJet Air and Jetstar Pacific Airlines. To get around the city, buses, taxis, Xe Om (motorcycle taxis), Cyclos, and Grab Taxi (similar to Uber) are available. Buses are comfortable, but taxis and Grab Taxi are the easiest way to travel around. Xe Om and Cyclos are affordable, but they tend to be suitable for short-distance trips only. 

Visas in Ho Chi Minh

Vietnam allows citizens of 24 countries, including the UK, Denmark, and Cambodia, to enter and stay in the country for up to 90 days without a visa. Other nationalities need to apply for a visa. The country has an electronic visa system available for citizens of 81 countries. 

Weather in Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh has a tropical monsoon climate and the average temperatures remain all year round. December to March is the dry season, with the temperatures ranging from 21°C to 34°C. May to September is the wet season, which experiences frequent rain showers. July to November is the peak period for typhoons.

Additional Info

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). 1 USD is equivalent to 23,270 VND.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are widespread. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, but always bring cash with you. Tipping is appreciated, but not expected.
3. Local Language: The official language is Vietnamese. English is widely spoken, particularly in tourist areas.
4. Local Culture and Religion: The constitution provides for freedom of worship. Vietnamese folk religion is a major religion, but many people are not religious. Other religions, such as Buddhism and Christianity, are freely practiced.
5. Public Holidays: New Year’s Day, Tet Holiday, Reunification Day, International Labor Day, and National Day are some of the most celebrated holidays in Ho Chi Minh.