Pediatrics in Ho Chi Minh City

Pediatrics is the field of medicine that focuses on the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents from birth up to the age of 21. Medical doctors who specialize in this field are called pediatricians. Not only do they provide medical care for children who are acutely or chronically ill, but they also provide preventative health services for healthy children. They manage the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the children under their care through all stages of growth and development. They are involved in the prevention, early detection, and management problems, including:

• Developmental delays and disorders
• Functional disabilities
• Behavioral problems
• Social stresses
• Mental disorders, including depression and anxiety disorders.

When children get hurt or sick, they treat a range of injuries and diseases, such as infections, cancers, organ diseases, and dysfunctions, as well as genetic and congenital conditions. Some pediatricians are primary care physicians (meaning they are your first stop for general medical care and wellness visits for your children), while others specialize. There are more than 30 pediatric specialties, including pediatric oncology (the treatment of cancers in children), pediatric neurology (the treatment of brain and nervous system disorders in children), and pediatric cardiology (the treatment of heart conditions in children).

In general, pediatricians perform the following procedures to take care of your child:

• Physical exams
• Diagnose and treat illnesses, injuries, infections, and other health problems
• Evaluate your child’s physical, emotional, and social development
• Give you information about your child’s health, fitness, safety, and nutrition needs
• Prescribe medications and antibiotics
• Give vaccinations
• Refer you to a specialist if they think your child needs expert care. 

How Long Should I Stay in Ho Chi Minh City?

In most cases, you and your child can leave the hospital or clinic right away after a pediatric procedure. Depending on the type of diagnostic test or medical treatment your child receives, you should plan to stay in Ho Chi Minh City for around 2 to 7 days. During your stay, your child may need to attend several follow-up checkups where the pediatrician checks if the treatment is working for them.  

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

The recovery times can be different from one child to another, depending on the overall health of your child, the specific condition they have, and the treatment they receive. For diagnostic tests, such as a physical exam, there is typically no recovery time needed. After vaccination, some children may develop a fever for 1 to 2 days. The pediatrician will let you know when your child can resume their normal activity level and go back to school after treatment.

What Aftercare is Required?

During your child’s recovery period, it is important that you monitor them closely. Make sure that they drink plenty of liquid, eat a healthy diet (as recommended by the pediatrician), and get plenty of rest. A regular visit to the pediatrician is important, every two to three months for children aged 1-month-old to 2 years old, every six months for 2 to 3 years old, and then once a year after the age of 4 up to 21. 

What's the Success Rate?

As the field of pediatrics continues to advance, the safety and success rate of pediatrics procedures continues to increase as well. With new technology, more knowledge, and a deeper understanding of pediatrics, the death rate of infants and children has been decreasing significantly in the last century. Of course, all procedures carry some type of risks and side effects. For instance, vaccinations have some side effects such as low-grade fever, soreness, temporary headache, or a severe allergic reaction. 

Are there Alternatives?

There are no alternatives to seeing a pediatrician that manages the health, growth, and development of your child. Should your pediatrician found something that needs specialized care, they will refer you to the relevant specialist.

Pediatrics 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.