Hanoi

Vietnam / Northern Vietnam / Hanoi

OVERVIEW

Contraception

Laws & Social Stigmas

Birth control is legal and widely accessible in Vietnam. It is estimated that 73%-75% of Vietnamese women (of reproductive age) use some form of birth control. Typically, you'll be able to find oral contraceptive pills), IUDs, injectables (Depo Provera) and Implanon. The most commonly used forms of modern contraceptives tend to be IUDs and condoms. However, it is estimated that approximately 54% of Vietnamese women use modern methods of birth control; the remaining percentage use older methods, like withdrawal, the rhythm method or periodic abstinence.

Since 1963, Vietnam has had some form of population control. This began under the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam), when the government advocated capping families at two to three children. After reunification of Vietnam in 1975 under the communist government, family planning policies extended throughout the country. Ultimately, a 2-Child Policy was implemented in 1983. During the 1980s, the Vietnamese government provides incentives for those who followed the policy, like contraceptive availability, and those who do not, like enforcing penalties. The government also took cue from the Chinese government's stance by encouraging its citizens to get married later and to space out children 3-5 years apart. This policy is currently being reconsidered but seems to remain in place.

Despite widespread contraceptive use in Vietnam, there is limited knowledge of all methods. According to one study in the late 1990s: "Several contraceptive methods, such as the pill and the condom, are not widely used even in urban areas, where they are easily obtainable. A study on oral contraceptives in Vietnam indicated that the major reason women who had used modern contraceptive methods had never used the pill was that they did not know about the method.8 If this lack of information is the result of the strong campaigns conducted in Vietnam in the 1980s to promote IUD use and in the mid-1990s to promote sterilization, contraceptive use depends not only on availability but also on the intensity of promotion. Thus, along with availability of contraceptives, access to information on individual methods could reduce the bias in Vietnam toward urban areas and toward IUD and traditional contraceptive use."

What to Get & Where to Get It

You can buy birth control at the many pharmacies (called "nha thuoc") throughout Hanoi. The word for birth control is Vietnamese is "thuốc tránh thai" (how to pronounce it: thwork chanh tide). Some of the reported brands include HN Choice, Rigevidon, Marvelon, Microgynon. There are also many generic or Vietnamese versions of brands in Hanoi pharmacies, and most medications appear to be made in Vietnam or India. If you want specialized brands that are not found in most pharmacies, here's a list of pharmacies that have wider selection:

• Nguyễn Luận Pharmacy: Address: 3 Trang Thi street, Hoan Kiem District. Phone: 04 3826 8644. Hours: 8 am-6 pm.
• Liên Mai: 625 hoàng hoa thám.
• Mega 31: Address: 31 Láng Hạ _ Ba Đình _ Hà Nội, Ba Đình, Hà Nội, Phone: 04 6255 2255, Hours: 7:30AM–7:30PM
• "I have found stuff I couldn't find elsewhere at a pharmacy on Tran Huy Lieu off of Giang Vo. It is on the left heading towards the lake and appears to serve many Russian (or at least Eastern Bloc) customers."
• Try to contact Marie Stopes Vietnam - check to see if they have more options

For Depo, it's reported that the Hanoi Family Program does it for 300,000 dong. Supposedly, the French Vietnamese hospital does it for 7 million dong.

Emergency Contraception

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Vietnam, emergency contraception is available directly from pharmacists without a prescription. There appears to be no age restrictions. However, if you want to purchase certain EC brands, like ella, Ciel EC and Mifestad 10 you may need a prescription.

What to Get & Where to Get It

You can buy emergency contraception for 45,000 dong (less than $2 as of 2016) in any pharmacy. One popular brand is ase Victoria. Spermicide is also sold under the brand as 'VCF.'

Medications & Vaccines

What to Get & Where to Get It

• FAMILY MEDICAL PRACTICE HANOI: Tends to have more international selection of medications and accommodates foreigners. 298 I Kim Ma Street, Van Phuc Compound, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam. Tel: +84 4 3843 0748. Fax: +84 4 3846 1750. Email: hanoi@vietnammedicalpractice.com.

Gynecological Exams

What to Get & Where to Get It

Here's a list of international or foreigner-friendly hospitals in Hanoi:

• International SOS Clinic: "Part of a worldwide international service that you can join for a fee and be covered anywhere they offer services. The organization has a capable staff of expatriate and Vietnamese doctors, with specialists ranging from pre- and post-natal care to tropical infectious disease experts, good eye doctors, and dentists. They work in collusion with most major insurance companies and can contact your provider to let you know if you are covered. The cost of an initial visit is $69 with an expatriate doctor or $59 with a Vietnamese doctor." Address: 1 Dang Thai Mai, Tay Ho District, Hanoi, T: (04) 3934 0666 (Alarm centre), T: (04) 3826 4545 (Admin)
• Family Medical Practice: Van Phuc Compound, 298 Kim Ma Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi (down the side street that runs parallel to Kim Ma), T: (04) 3843 0748, hanoi@vietnammedicalpractice.com
• French Hospital: Primary language is French but many doctors also speak English. Cheaper than some other international clinics. Address: 1 Phuong Mai, Dong Da District, Hanoi, T: (04) 3577 1100, Emergency: (04) 3574 1111
• [www.hongngochospital.vn Hong Ngoc Hospital]: 55 Yen Ninh, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, T: (04) 39 275 568

Pregnancy

What to Get & Where to Get It

Pregnancy tests are widely available at pharmacies throughout the city. Pharmacies in tourist areas most likely have someone who speaks English.

Abortion

Laws & Social Stigmas

Abortion is legal in Vietnam. As stated in the Law on Protection of People's Health (1989), "Women have the rights to have abortion; to receive gynecological diagnosis and treatment; and health check-up during pregnancy; and medical service when giving birth at health facilities.” There are three administrative levels that perform abortions in Vietnam, depending on the stage of the pregnancy: 1) For 6-22 weeks, central and provincial hospitals 2) 6-12 weeks, district health stations and 3) up to 6 weeks at communal health centers (and, in some cases, private clinics, if they meet certain criteria).

What to Get & Where to Get It

The abortion pill is available at Family Medical Practice Vietnam. http://www.vietnammedicalpractice.com/ All the doctors are western or western trained. Ask for a doctor specializing in women's health. The pharmacy at the Hanoi location is located within the clinic. The appointment, ultrasound, and medicine will cost around $200 USD. Total for the pill and pain killers is about $25 USD. Very professional, clean, quick, and comfortable experience.