Health and Safety

At ABROADER, we prioritize your health and safety with the same care and concern that your family would. We are dedicated to providing safe and enjoyable programs, ensuring that you have a well-rounded and secure experience. The security of our program locations, as well as popular student travel destinations, is continuously monitored. We also ensure timely dissemination of safety guidelines and risk warnings based on information from government sources and experts in the study abroad community.

Upon starting the program, you will be guided through a program-specific health and safety procedure. This process begins with pre-departure communications and culminates with a comprehensive on-site orientation conducted by ABROADER and staff from your host organization. You will be provided with local emergency contact information to ensure accessible and responsive communication throughout the program. Our team will also collaborate with you, your parents, the host organization, and the study abroad staff at your home institution (if applicable) to provide the most up-to-date information on any situations that may arise during your program.

Onsite Orientation

Health and safety issues are thoroughly addressed during the onsite orientation you will attend upon arriving in Vietnam. During this session, our Program Coordinator will highlight local health and safety concerns, offer practical tips about transportation and accommodation, provide guidelines for eating local food and ensuring safe drinking water, teach you simple Vietnamese phrases, and much more. You will also receive an SOS card in Vietnamese, which includes your address and emergency contacts—such as the ABROADER local emergency number, your host organization supervisor, and your host family (if applicable). It is important to keep this card with you at all times. If you find yourself in an uncomfortable or dangerous situation, you can present the card for assistance.

24/7 Emergency Contact

ABROADER’s 24/7 emergency contact details will be provided to you before departure, so you can share them with your parents or other close contacts. Our emergency contact staff maintain a broad network of local connections, including hospitals, police stations, embassies, and even neighbors, to respond quickly to unexpected situations.

On orientation day, you will be reminded of this information. In the event of an emergency, you should contact our local staff at:

• ABROADER Hotline: (+84) 90 968 5498
• Hanoi: +84 34 754 1188 (24/7, Mon – Fri: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm)
• Ho Chi Minh City: +84 96 368 2079 (24/7) or +84 28 39 30 6432 (Mon – Fri: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm)

If you are located outside of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, you may still call these numbers; however, for more immediate issues, you should contact your local organization supervisor. This number should be kept on you at all times, either on your SOS card or on your phone.

Upon receiving an emergency call, ABROADER will promptly contact relevant stakeholders, such as your emergency contacts and/or university staff back home. In case medical care is required, ABROADER will assist you in navigating the insurance protocols.

Personal Security

While Vietnam is generally a safe destination, as a foreigner, it is important to take extra precautions, particularly in tourist-heavy or remote areas. Here are some security tips to follow:

• Keep your money and phone in an inside pocket—avoid back pockets or external jacket pockets.
• If you need to leave your coat or jacket, take your money and valuables with you.
• Opt for a crossbody bag or backpack instead of a handbag, and keep it in front of you when in crowded areas or on buses.
• Never leave your belongings unattended, even for a brief period.
• Carry only the cash you need for the day, as ATMs are widely available in cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Credit cards are accepted at many convenience stores and supermarkets.
• Take extra care of your passport, tickets, and other important documents. If staying at a hotel, you can leave your passport at the front desk. If staying in an apartment or shared accommodation, store your passport in a secure location.

Health Facilities

Vietnam has both local and international medical facilities in major cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, offering consultations and treatments for foreign visitors. Below is a list of accredited international clinics and hospitals in Vietnam:

Ho Chi Minh City

• International SOS office in Ho Chi Minh (Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese, German)
  Unit 708, 7th Floor, Centre Point Building, 106 Nguyen Van Troi Street, Ward 8, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)
  Hotline: +84 28 3845 4218 (You can call this hotline if you feel sick, doctors will talk to you via phone calls and appoint you to a suitable hospital/ clinic)

• Family Medical Practice (Languages: English, Japanese and Korean)
  34 Le Duan Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  Phone: 028 3822 7848| Emergency: ∗9999 or (028) 3744 9000

• FV Hospital (Languages: English, French)
  6 Nguyen Luong Bang St., Saigon South (Phu My Hung), Dist. 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  Phone: 028 5411 3333| Emergency: 028 5411 3500

• Raffles Medical International Clinic (Languages: English and Japanese)
  167A Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Vo Thi Sau, District 3, HCMC
  Phone: 028 3824 077

Ha Noi

• International SOS office in Hanoi (Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese, German)
  Capital Tower, 6th Floor, Room 602A, 109 Tran Hung Dao Street, Cua Nam Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Ha Noi
  Phone: (+84) 24 3718 6390

• Vietnam-France Hospital (Languages: English, French, and Japanese)
  01 Phuong Mai Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi, Vietnam
  Phone: (84-24) 3577 1100 | Emergency Hotline: (84-24) 3574 1111

• Family Medical Practice Hanoi (Languages: English, Japanese, and Korean)
  298 Kim Ma Street, Van Phuc Compound, Dinh District, Hanoi
  Phone: 024 3843 0748

Da Nang

• Family Medical Practice Danang (Languages: English, Japanese and Korean)
  96-98 Nguyen Van Linh Street, Hai Chau District, Danang, Vietnam | Tel: 0236 3582 699

Medication Abroad

If you take prescription medications regularly, it is important to consult with your doctor before traveling. Some medications may be difficult or impossible to refill in your host country. It is advised that you bring enough medication to last the duration of your program and carry a copy of your prescription, along with your doctor’s contact information.

You are encouraged to inform ABROADER about any medical conditions or medications you are taking. While this information is not a requirement for application, we ask that you discuss it with us early on to ensure that appropriate resources and support are provided.

For more information on medications abroad, refer to the CDC website.

Mental Health Support

Maintaining good mental health is crucial, especially when living in a foreign country. Since its inception, ABROADER has collaborated with local medical centers in various program locations that provide mental health support for international participants. While these centers may differ from those back home, we ensure that the staff is well-qualified and proficient in English to facilitate proper communication during your treatment.

Independent Travel

If you plan to travel independently from your program site, it is mandatory to inform your Program Coordinator. Please provide details about your destination, travel dates, and how we can reach you in case of an emergency. You may also want to notify your host organization in case your travel plans change unexpectedly.

Please note that your program is your priority. While you may request time off, it is at the discretion of your host organization to approve or deny these requests. Additionally, make sure to check in with your Program Coordinator upon your return so that we know you are safe.

Independent travel is undertaken at your own risk. ABROADER cannot be held responsible for any incidents that may occur during personal travel, so it is important to exercise caution and use good judgment when traveling on your own.

Safety Tips

To ensure your safety, we recommend avoiding the following:

• Staying out after midnight or violating local curfews
• Visiting high-crime areas or isolated locations
• Sleeping in an unlocked room
• Eating food of unknown origin or without local guidance
• Riding a motorbike without a helmet

Pay attention to:

• Advice from ABROADER staff and local buddies
• Local laws, rules, and curfews
• The address of your accommodation and emergency contacts
• Available sources of help around you (e.g., phones, stores, police)

For further resources or inquiries regarding health and safety in Vietnam, feel free to contact us at apply@abroader.org.

ABROADER’s Approval