Getting Sick Abroad: What I Learned Navigating a Pharmacy in Vietnam

We caught up with a frequent traveller who shared a real story about what it’s actually like to get sick overseas—and how one rough experience in Vietnam changed the way she preps for every trip.

Q: What happened in Vietnam that had you hunting for a pharmacy?

A: I came down with a brutal cough that wouldn’t quit. I thought it was just a cold, but a few days in, I realized I needed something stronger. There wasn’t a hospital nearby, so my only option was a local pharmacy.

Q: What was it like trying to get help?

A: Honestly? Awkward. No one spoke English, and I don’t speak Vietnamese, so I relied on Google Translate and a lot of gestures. Eventually I just coughed in front of them hoping they’d understand—which thankfully, they did. They handed me medicine, but I had no idea what it actually was.

Q: Were you nervous about taking something unfamiliar?

A: Very. I scanned the label with Google Translate, trying to figure out what it was and how much to take—but it still felt like a gamble. That moment made me realize I wasn’t nearly as prepared as I thought I was.

Q: What changed for your next trip?

A: I booked a consultation with VirtualTravelClinic.ca. They looked at where I was going and what I’d be doing, and recommended a few essential meds to bring. Things like cold and flu relief, anti-diarrheal tablets, and meds for altitude sickness. Just having those with me gave me so much more peace of mind.

Q: What’s your advice for other travelers?

A: Get ahead of it. Having the right medications with you is so much easier than trying to get them when you’re already sick and overwhelmed in a new place. That one appointment with a travel health expert made a huge difference.