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.

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 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.

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

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.

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.