Ho Chi Minh City Travel Forum

I will be heading to Vietnam for 8 weeks starting next month and I am trying to pack very light. In all of my reading I thought I saw a post somewhere that stated that all toiletries were available cheaper in Vietnam than in USA for the same brands however I remember it stating you should pack your own sunblock and bug spray.

This is my first trip to Vietnam and I was hoping someone could provide some advise here since I can not find the posting again.

Thanks--Ed

Hi
We can get basically everything here at the supermarkets or dept stores, ie toothpaste, soap, shampoos etc (tho not sure if it's cheaper)

You should buy anything you can in the US because the products that you find in Vietnam (quality) is not as good eventhough it is the same brand.
So pack on the sunblock and insect spray!

Good luck!

Just out of interest which brands are you talking about which (are the same) but not the same quality?

I found that the variety of these products in Vietnam was nowhere near as abundant as in the States (or Thailand). You will see one or two brands of deet products and sunblock that you're familiar with, but the selection is pretty poor (yes, they are cheaper). The stores that you will see in the tourist areas are very small, and unless you're willing to go out to the suburban areas of the larger cities (where the good supermarkets are) you have to take what you can get. I wanted Visine in Hanoi, and had to settle for Japanese eye drops. If you stop in Bangkok first, you could stock up there - great selection everywhere.

Never been in Vietnam yet, I've experience of Malaysia/Indonesia...
Actually I found OFF much better in SE Asia then the one bought in Europe which seems like a cookie for moquito there. Also sunblock.. the one good for Miami beach is not enough there.