Drinking Tap Water In Vietnam? Is It Really Safe?

“Can I drink tap water in Vietnam” is a question that many tourists are interested in, especially those who are passionate about experiencing motorbikes. Normally in Vietnam, tap water is only used for daily use and not for drinking directly from the tap. To ensure your health throughout the trip, you should bring bottled water or filtered water. So, for what purposes is tap water safe to use? Let’s learn more about drinking tap water in Vietnam with Vietnam Motorbike Tour Expert in the article below.

Overview of Vietnam Tap water

Water quality in Vietnam is not uniform across regions. According to estimates by the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association, only about 60% of the population has access to fresh tap water. In other areas, especially remote rural areas and mountain villages, most people do not have tap water but use drilled well water and water from rivers, streams, ponds, and natural lakes. However, this source of water has many potential risks.

The question “Is Vietnam water safe to drink?” is difficult to answer because even tap water is not guaranteed to be safe enough. The two largest cities in Vietnam, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, have strict testing and produce standard tap water. However, the pipeline system is degraded and has not been repaired for a long time, so the water quality cannot be guaranteed. There may be toxins, E. Coli bacteria, or arsenic inside. If these impurities enter the human body directly, they will have negative effects on health. So, usually, people don’t get used to drinking tap water in Vietnam. They will use a water filter or boil it before drinking or not use tap water for cooking.

Tap water in Vietnam in recent years

The main source of tap water supply is surface water. Despite many improvements and upgrades, there have been some problems with the tap water supply. This also leads to the question of whether drinking tap water in Vietnam is safe or not.

Da River water contamination: Occurring in 2019, tap water supplied to residents of Hanoi city has a foul smell and strange taste. After that, the city let experts test water from the Da River and discovered that the water source was highly contaminated.

Water does not meet standards in Ho Chi Minh City: In 2018, after surveying the water filtration process in factories, it was discovered that tap water did not meet safety standards. The reason comes from the fact that these factories use poor-quality treatment chemicals and inappropriate equipment. This makes public opinion frustrated and insecure when using water. 

Is drinking tap water in Vietnam safe?

The most general conclusion is that it is not safe to drink tap water directly, especially for foreigners or those unfamiliar with the local water supply. Normally, to use tap water for drinking and cooking, people will use a water filter system or boil it before using. However, in some rural areas, despite treatment, the water is still unsafe to drink. In those places, they often use boiled rainwater for drinking.

According to UNICEF, about 1.5 million Vietnamese people do not have access to clean water. This leads to the problem of waterborne diseases causing public health concerns. Therefore, you need to consider drinking tap water in Vietnam or not during your trip.

Popular topics visitors often concern

Besides the issue of drinking tap water in Vietnam is safe or not. Many tourists are interested in what type of water to drink when coming to Vietnam or what tap water can be used for.

Safe sources of drinking water in Vietnam

Instead of drinking tap water in Vietnam, the safest option to drink water directly is bottled water. Water is strictly tested and meets standards so you can feel secure when using it. There are a variety of bottle sizes for you to choose from. However, usually on a motorbike tour, you should choose to buy a bottle with a capacity of 330ml (11oz) to 5l (169oz) to facilitate packing and moving. When using the services of Vietnam Motorbike Tour Expert, we will provide you with enough drinking water while you travel.

In addition, when coming to Vietnam, there are unique drinks that you should not miss. Many people who are passionate about the experience said they miss these drinks when they return to their home country.

• Smoothie: A smoothie made from pureed fruit with milk and sugar added. This is a nutritious drink and is loved by many people. It can recharge your energy immediately after a long trip.
• Coconut and sugar cane juice: You can easily see shops selling sugar cane juice and coconut when you go to most places in Vietnam. A 500ml cup costs only about 10,000 VND-20,000 VND (0.3$-0.8$). That’s enough for you to take a long drive while sipping the cool sweetness of sugarcane and coconut.
• Tra sua (Bubble Milk Tea): a drink imported from Taiwan and become one of the favorite drinks of Vietnamese people. You can find many milk tea shops with a variety of flavors and prices during your trip.

Drinking tap water in Vietnam safely in an unavoidable situation

In some high-end hotels, they have filtration systems so you can drink water directly without any problems. You can check by looking at the hotel information or asking the receptionist. However, in case you don’t have it and you have to drink tap water in Vietnam, you should leave the water overnight. This helps the remaining chlorine evaporate and then boil before use.

Brushing teeth with tap water

In places where people have access to tap water, you can safely use water to brush your teeth. In more remote and secluded areas, people can use springs, lakes, or drilled well water for use. If you are very sensitive, you can consider using bottled water to brush your teeth.

Drinking ice cubes

It is difficult to directly conclude whether ice consumption is safe or not. This also depends on where the ice is produced. Some places sell filtered ice so it can be used safely. Some places use substandard ice, so you may experience digestive problems such as stomachache.

Bathing and Swimming in Vietnam

In general, bathing and swimming with tap water in Vietnam is quite safe. At some destinations, you can also swim in the cool water of the lake and admire the majestic hills and mountains.

Note for staying safe while drinking water in Vietnam

Best for health, you should use bottled water to drink. Make sure the water tank has not been peeled or shows any signs of damage. You should also use this water to clean lenses or small wounds. This is to prevent bacteria from entering and causing damage. During the tour, our tour guide will pay attention and ensure that you can use water that is safe enough for your health. 

Vietnam Motorbike Tour Expert – a thoughtful service during trips

Vietnam Motorbike Tour Expert provides a comprehensive service and always cares about customer experience. Coming to us, you will receive support from A to Z and we always try to give you the best experience. During the travel process, Vietnam Motorbike Tour Expert supports water and food without incurring any additional costs. Our tour guide, who accompanies you throughout the trip, will ensure you use the safest food and water sources if possible. Vietnam Motorbike Tour Expert brings a memorable journey with all our hearts.

Above is information and questions related to drinking tap water in Vietnam. You should bring bottled water to use during travel. If you need more information, please contact us immediately through the website and fanpage.