Can you drink tap water in Vietnam? Water, ice and brushing your teeth

It's safest not to drink tap water in Vietnam. Neither the CDC's Vietnam page nor UK travel advice says the tap water is safe to drink, and the CDC's general advice for countries where tap water might be contaminated is to drink factory-sealed bottled water, brush your teeth with bottled or disinfected water, and be careful with ice. On a dental trip this matters a little more, because you'll be rinsing a healing mouth. Use boiled and cooled water or bottled water for that too.

Water in Vietnam at a glance

Situation	What the CDC advises
Drinking	Factory-sealed bottled water or drinks in unopened cans
Brushing your teeth	Bottled or disinfected water
Ice	Avoid it where access to clean water is limited
Making tap water safer	Boil for 1 minute (3 minutes above 6,500 feet), filter or treat it
Raw food and salads	Avoid raw food. Peel fruit yourself or wash it in safe water
Swimming	Don't swallow water while swimming

Drinking water

The CDC advises travellers not to drink tap water in countries where it might be contaminated. It says drinks from unopened, factory-sealed bottles or cans are safer than tap water, and that factory-sealed bottled water is the safest option for most travellers. It also notes that some bottled water can still be risky depending on its source and treatment, so check that the seal is unbroken.

Keep extra bottled water for the bathroom and bedside, especially for the days after dental treatment when you'll want water close by.

Brushing your teeth

The CDC's advice is simple: brush your teeth with bottled or disinfected water. Keep a bottle by the sink so you don't use the tap out of habit.

After crowns, veneers or fillings, keep brushing as your dentist advises. After surgery, follow your dentist's instructions on when to brush near the wound and how gently.

Ice and drinks made with water

The CDC advises avoiding ice in places with limited access to clean water. If you can't tell how ice was made, the simplest choice is to skip it. In Vietnamese, "không đá" means no ice.

Remember that drinks such as smoothies, iced coffee and juices may be made with ice or tap water. After dental surgery, also avoid straws for at least the first day, as our guide to what to eat after dental surgery explains.

Making tap water safe

If you can't get bottled water, the CDC says you can disinfect tap water by boiling, filtering or treating it with chemicals:

• Boiling: bring the water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute, then let it cool. Above 6,500 feet, boil it for 3 minutes.
• Filtering and treatment: portable filters and chemical tablets are other options. Follow the product instructions.

Boiled water is also what you need for salt water rinses after dental surgery.

Rinsing after dental surgery

The NHS advises keeping the wound clean after a tooth extraction by rinsing gently with mouthwash or warm salt water. In Vietnam, make salt water rinses with boiled and cooled water or bottled water. Your dentist will tell you when to start rinsing, how much salt to use and how often, so follow their instructions.

Other NHS advice for the days after an extraction:

• Eat soft or liquid food until you can chew comfortably.
• Avoid alcohol and very hot drinks, which can cause bleeding or scalding.
• Don't smoke, which raises the risk of infection.

The NHS advises getting urgent dental help if bleeding doesn't stop, if pain and swelling are severe or getting worse and painkillers aren't helping, or if you have pain with a bad taste in your mouth, a high temperature or feel unwell. In Vietnam, call your clinic first.

Food, fruit and street food

The CDC advises avoiding raw food, and says hot food should be served hot and cold food cold. Fruit and vegetables may be safer if you peel them yourself or wash them in bottled or disinfected water. It also advises washing your hands with soap and water before eating.

The CDC's general guidance suggests avoiding food from street vendors. If you choose to eat street food anyway, pick dishes cooked fresh in front of you and served hot. After dental surgery, let hot food cool before you eat it.

Questions to ask your hotel and clinic

• Is the drinking water in the room bottled or filtered, and how often is it replaced?
• Can the kitchen make salt water or boil water for rinsing after surgery?
• Are drinks and smoothies made with filtered water and ice?
• Which mouthwash, if any, does the clinic want you to use, and from when?

Asking before your treatment day means you won't need to go looking for bottled water while your mouth is still numb.

Swimming

The CDC advises not swallowing water while swimming, and not swimming in fresh water in areas with poor sanitation. After dental surgery, ask your dentist before you swim at all. Our Nha Trang and Da Nang guides cover planning beach days around treatment.

Checklist

• Sealed bottled water for drinking and for brushing your teeth
• A bottle by the bathroom sink
• Drinks ordered without ice when you're not sure
• Boiled and cooled water for salt water rinses after surgery
• Fruit you can peel yourself
• Hand sanitiser or soap for before meals

For more on staying well during your trip, see aftercare after dental treatment and getting around Vietnam.