For anyone thinking about traveling to or moving to Vietnam, "can you drink the tap water?" is one of the biggest questions. In Japan, water you can drink straight from the tap is taken for granted, but overseas the situation is very different.
In short, Vietnam's tap water is not suitable for drinking!
Even in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang, drinking tap water straight is not recommended. Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also states plainly that "the quality of Vietnam's tap water can hardly be called good and it is not suitable for drinking." This article thoroughly explains Vietnam's water situation and how to secure safe water while traveling or staying there.
Why Vietnam's tap water isn't drinkable
Different water-quality standards and contained substances
Vietnam's tap water quality standards are set more loosely than the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Tap water leaving the waterworks is said to contain nearly ten times the chlorine of Japan's standard, and a hallmark is the very high use of disinfectant chlorine.
The main risk factors in tap water are as follows.
- Residual heavy metals: Heavy metals such as lead, copper, iron, and zinc are present, and long-term intake may affect the kidneys, liver, nervous system, and blood system
- Residual pesticides: In Vietnam, a major agricultural country, pesticide residues from rural areas can find their way into water sources
- Presence of pathogens: Bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella, and protozoa such as amoebas and Giardia, have been detected, and can cause symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever
- Contamination from factory wastewater: In industrial zones, contamination from factory wastewater, including organic matter (NO3-, NH4+) and mercury, has an impact
Sources VietScout, "Is Vietnam's tap water drinkable? A resident's guide to choosing safe water and taking precautions"created from
Why boiling doesn't make it safe
Some may think, "Surely it's fine if I boil it?"
But boiling tap water only removes chlorine and pathogens. Harmful substances like heavy metals and pesticides cannot be removed by boiling. If anything, as the water evaporates, the concentration of harmful substances can even rise. So the reality is that simply boiling tap water cannot be called "absolutely safe."
Many Vietnamese people also don't drink tap water directly; buying mineral water is the norm.
Water quality differences by city: the traits of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
Hanoi is very hard water, Ho Chi Minh City is soft water
In Vietnam, which stretches long from north to south, water quality differs greatly between north and south. The capital Hanoi has very hard water, while Ho Chi Minh City in the south has soft water close to Japan's. This difference affects daily life too.
Hanoi's very hard water contains a lot of minerals such as magnesium, so women will notice their hair feeling squeaky and shampoo lathering poorly. Those with long hair especially can improve lathering and the after-wash feel by using hard-water-friendly hair care products (such as L'Oreal or Schwarzkopf).
Ho Chi Minh City's soft water, on the other hand, is close to Japan's water quality, making it relatively familiar and easy for Japanese people to deal with.
Sources Vietwork, "[Vietnam water situation] Is tap water safe...?"created from
Is it okay to use tap water for brushing teeth and rinsing?
The risk of using tap water to brush your teeth or rinse your mouth is not as high as drinking it.
Still, using tap water for brushing or rinsing can let harmful substances or pathogens into your mouth. Opinions are divided even among Japanese residents in Vietnam, ranging from those who say "tap water is fine for soups or boiling vegetables" to those who "use mineral water for everything, even washing food and brushing teeth."
If you're staying in Vietnam for the first time or have a sensitive stomach, using mineral water at first is recommended. Once you get used to it, you can judge based on your own condition and lifestyle.
Can mineral water still upset your stomach?
Some people experience an upset stomach "even though I was drinking mineral water." This may be caused not only by water quality but by "the difference between soft and hard water."
Much of Vietnam's water is hard (containing minerals such as magnesium), so Japanese people who aren't used to hard water can get an upset stomach when they suddenly start drinking it. Choosing soft mineral water can ease this problem.
Is the ice and drinking water at restaurants safe?
About the safety of ice
When eating out in Vietnam, ice is often flagged as something to be careful about. In the Vietnamese style, ice goes into the famous Vietnamese coffee, of course, but also into sinh to (fruit juice) and even beer.
In short, when it comes to ice, it's reasonably safe!
That's because no one makes ice from tap water they know isn't drinkable. Vietnam consumes a lot of ice, and from local cafes to upscale restaurants, most eateries use ice bought from suppliers. Since the ice purchased is manufactured and sold for drinking, there's no problem with its safety.
That said, it can't be called 100% safe. If you're worried, it's safest to avoid it. Being on edge would ruin an otherwise good meal.
Sources TNK Travel, "Is Vietnam's water safe? Vietnamese mineral water you can buy with peace of mind"created from
How to secure safe water: at home and out and about
How to secure water at home
If you're living in Vietnam, there are mainly two ways to secure drinking water at home.
1. Installing a water purifier
Middle-class and above Vietnamese households almost always have a water purifier installed. Installing one lets you use tap water as drinking water. It's an especially recommended method for those staying long-term.
2. Water delivery service
A water delivery service brings large mineral water bottles (19 liters) to your home or office. You can also rent a water dispenser. It's a convenient service that works for everything from short stays to long-term living.
Staying hydrated when out and about
As a rule, buy mineral water at convenience stores, supermarkets, or street stalls. Any commercially sold mineral water is safe to drink.
ベトナムのミネラルウォーターの値段はだいたい日本の半分くらいです。値段はお店により異なることもありますが、500mlも1Lも同様に12,000ドン(約73円)くらいです。気軽に購入できる価格なので、こまめに水分補給しましょう。
Sources TNK Travel, "Is Vietnam's water safe? Vietnamese mineral water you can buy with peace of mind"created from
Five recommended mineral waters
There are many kinds of mineral water in Vietnam, so you may wonder what to buy. For anyone unsure, here are safe mineral waters you'll often see in Vietnam. Every one introduced here is soft water.
1. Dasani
Sold by Coca-Cola, this water has the same logo design as Japan's "I Lohas." The taste is neutral and, being soft water, very easy to drink, so it's recommended. It's reasonably priced at 5,000 VND (about 30 yen) for 500ml.
2. Aquafina
Aquafina comes from Suntory PepsiCo. Its soft PET-bottle material gives a gentle mouthfeel and it's very easy to drink. It has a familiar, easy taste for Japanese people too.
3. La Vie
Sold by Nestle, "La Vie" is a water you'll see all over Vietnam. It's often stocked in hotels as well. Personally I get the impression it has a slight character to it, but it's beloved by many people.
4. I-on Life
This is another water you'll see often in Vietnam. It has a sports-drink-like flavor and is well suited to replenishing minerals.
5. Evian
If you like hard water, Evian, familiar in Japan too, is recommended, though it's a bit pricey. You can buy it in Vietnam as well.
Sources TNK Travel, "Is Vietnam's water safe? Vietnamese mineral water you can buy with peace of mind"created from
Summary: to secure water safely in Vietnam
Vietnam's tap water is not suitable for drinking, even in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang. It may contain heavy metals, pesticides, and pathogens, and the reality is that boiling doesn't make it completely safe.
To secure safe water, keep the following points in mind.
- Always buy mineral water for drinking
- Choosing soft mineral water (such as Dasani or Aquafina) makes an upset stomach less likely
- Restaurant ice is basically safe, but avoid it if you're worried
- For long stays, consider installing a water purifier or using a water delivery service
- For brushing teeth and rinsing too, use mineral water until you get used to things
By understanding Vietnam's water situation and responding appropriately, you can make your stay comfortable and safe. Mineral water costs about half of what it does in Japan, so keep hydrating throughout the day and enjoy your time in Vietnam to the fullest!
If you're planning to travel to or move to Vietnam, use this article as a reference and put these safe-water methods into practice.
