Job Discussion Forums

[Cristan_M]

Hi everyone,

Just after some information from anyone who is living in Vietnam and has diabetes. I am a type 1 diabetic on an insulin pump and am moving to Hanoi in September. I am mainly concerned with how to get insulin once i'm in Vietnam (I plan to take a large supply of pump consumables with me as I know they won't be available in Vietnam). I have heard a few things ie: you can just buy insulin from a pharmacy if you have an international prescription, conversely that you need to see a doctor in Vietnam to get a prescription and then register at a pharmacy as a regular user. Does anyone have any idea on how it works or know anyone with first hand experience? Does anyone know how much insulin costs in Vietnam?

In addition, I am also wondering about the health check you seem to have to have if you want to get a work permit. Does anyone with diabetes/another chronic illness know if it affects getting the permit?

I don't have a job lined up yet in Vietnam as I am planning (hoping) to get my CELTA and then find work after that. I want to enter on a tourist visa and then change the visa after finding a job/an employer who will sponsor me but i'm unsure whether being diabetic will impact on that?

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[TRH]

I am sorry that I don;t have a real answer for you but I can relate that a friend of mine who is an internist once told me that Vietnam has a very high rate of diabetes (probably Type 2). He attributed to way too many sweet drinks and even the use of sugar in traditional cooking particularly in the south.

Although I suspect a lot of diabetes goes undiagnosed, I would think that supplies would be available. Hypodermic needles may be the the sticking point. Excuse the unintended pun.

[Cristan_M]

Thanks for your response, TRH.

I'm not concerned about getting needles as i'm on an insulin pump and don't inject any more. I'm more just wondering about how I get insulin. Thanks though