What are the best pharmacies in Nha Trang, Vietnam?

Thien Phu Pharmacy, Ds Pharmacy, Thien Binh, Bit Thuy, and Hana Pharmacy are popular among travelers.

What are the must-buy medicines in Vietnam?

Gaviscon, Bepanthen, Strepsils, Biafine, Dermatix Ultra, Tiger Balm, Voltaren, and Berocca are popular items.

Can I pay by card at Vietnamese pharmacies?

Yes, but most pharmacies may charge a 2-3% fee. Preparing cash is also a good option.

Why are medicines cheaper in Nha Trang pharmacies?

Vietnam has many locally produced products and a simpler pharmacy distribution system, resulting in lower prices.

Do I need a prescription at Nha Trang pharmacies?

Common pain relievers, digestive aids, and ointments can be bought without a prescription. However, specialized medicines require a hospital visit.

Best Pharmacies in Nha Trang, Vietnam: A Must-Buy Medicine List & Review

While purchasing medicine in Korea can often be expensive, in Vietnam, you can buy the same or similar products much more cheaply. Nha Trang, in particular, is popular with tourists because it has many pharmacies, making it easy to find necessary medications during your trip. In this article, I'll review the features of the Nha Trang pharmacies I visited, compile a must-have medicine list for travelers, and share my actual purchase experiences.

Recommended Pharmacies in Nha Trang

Nha Trang has several pharmacies differing in size and specialty. The locations frequently visited by travelers share common characteristics: convenient locations, credit card acceptance, and services tailored to Korean (and international) tourists. Below are the representative pharmacies that I visited or are well-known among travelers.

Thien Phu Pharmacy (Couple's Pharmacy)

Operating Hours : 08:00 ~ 20:00
Card Fee : 3%
Location : Opposite Banh Mi Phan
Features : The most famous pharmacy among Korean travelers, it also offers currency exchange and stays open late. However, due to its popularity, wait times can be long.

Ds Pharmacy

Operating Hours : 08:00 ~ 22:00
Card Fee : 3%
Location : Near Lounge Spa
Features : A Korean pharmacist is available, making communication easy. Korean instructions are provided, helping with understanding the medicine. It's open later than other pharmacies, allowing for late visits.

Thien Binh Pharmacy

Operating Hours : 06:00 ~ 23:00
Card Fee : None
Location : Near Thien Phu Pharmacy
Features : Prices are fixed and displayed, and there is no extra fee for card payments. It's cost-effective with relatively lower prices, but some items might be out of stock, or the display might be disorganized.

Bit Thuy Pharmacy

Operating Hours : 06:30 ~ 12:30 / 14:00 ~ 19:00
Card Fee : 2%
Location : Opposite Lounge Spa
Features : Easy to find, located near popular restaurants and fruit stalls for Koreans. Small discounts are available for purchases over a certain amount.

Nha Trang Hana Pharmacy

Operating Hours : 08:00 ~ 19:00 (Wednesdays until 12:00)
Card Fee : 2%
Location : Near JW Marriott
Features : A Korean pharmacist is on-site, and consultations are available via KakaoTalk. This advantage attracts many Korean tourists, as there is no language barrier.

Vietnam Travel Must-Buy Medicine List

Waiting line at Thien Phu Pharmacy in Nha Trang

Vietnam Pharmacy

Digestion & Stomach

Product	Use	Notes
Gaviscon	Relief for heartburn, acid reflux	Less than half the price in Korea
Atiso (Artichoke)	Liver health, hangover relief	Tea/capsule form, popular Vietnamese supplement
Loperamide	Acute diarrhea relief	Emergency medicine for traveler's diarrhea
Antacid	Excess stomach acid, stomachache relief	Various brands available at local pharmacies
ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts)	Dehydration prevention, fluid replacement	Powder form, mix with water

Skin & Wounds

Product	Use	Notes
Tiger Balm	Muscle pain, insect bite relief	Portable, popular local item
Biafine	Burn and sunburn treatment	French product, cheaper than in Korea
Dermatix Ultra	Scar improvement	About 1/3 of the Korean price
Bepanthen	Moisturizing, skin regeneration, itch/scar relief	Various types: Balm, Sensidaily, Itch, Anti-Scar
Betadine	Wound disinfection	Recommended as a portable first-aid item

Pain & Fever Relief

Product	Use	Notes
Panadol	Headache, fever relief	Tylenol alternative, inexpensive
Voltaren	Joint, muscle pain relief	Various forms: cream, gel, tablets
Ibuprofen	Inflammation, muscle pain, headache relief	Standard anti-inflammatory pain reliever

Cold & Respiratory

Product	Use	Notes
Prospan Syrup	Natural ivy leaf extract, cough relief	Suitable for children
Decolgen ND	Nasal cold, common cold symptom relief	Use daytime/nighttime formulas separately
Panadol Cảm Cúm	Common cold symptom relief	Relieves headache, runny nose, fever
Strepsils	Sore throat, pharyngitis relief	Various flavors, popular with travelers
HoAstex Syrup	Cough, phlegm relief	Stock varies by pharmacy

Allergies

Product	Use	Notes
Loratadine	Allergic rhinitis, skin itch relief	2nd gen antihistamine, non-drowsy
Cetirizine	Pollen, insect, food allergies	Fast-acting, few side effects

Insect Repellent

Product	Use	Notes
OFF! Deep Woods Spray	Mosquito, outdoor insect blocker	DEET ingredient, long-lasting
Autan (Icaridin ingredient)	Mosquito repellent, less skin irritation	Less odor and irritation
Repel 100 Spray	High-concentration DEET, strong protection	For tropical regions, may cause irritation
Mosquito Coil	Outdoor mosquito repellent	Useful for accommodation, outdoor activities

Vitamins & Supplements

Product	Use	Notes
Berocca	Effervescent vitamin, fatigue recovery	Dissolve in water
Vinaga	Eye, skin, heart, liver health	Popular Vietnamese supplement

Motion Sickness & Sleep

Product	Use	Notes
Dimenhydrinate	Motion sickness, nausea relief	Useful for boat/car travel
Meclizine	Long-distance motion sickness prevention	Short-term use recommended
Melatonin	Jet lag adjustment, sleep aid	Mild sleep aid

Eye & Ear Health

Product	Use	Notes
Artificial Tears	Dry eyes, dust, fatigue relief	Portable, travel essential

Nha Trang Thien Phu Pharmacy Purchase List & Review

One of the most visited pharmacies in Nha Trang is Thien Phu Pharmacy (also known as the Couple's Pharmacy). It's highly accessible due to its great location and is especially popular with Korean tourists. Here is a summary of the products I purchased, their prices, and a brief review of my experience.

Thien Phu Pharmacy Nha Trang

Shopping Tips

Lines can be long even in the morning, so preparing a list in advance will speed up your purchase.
Card payment is possible but incurs a 3% fee, so paying with cash is recommended.
There's a famous Banh Mi shop and a local restaurant (Banh Can) in front of the pharmacy, so you can enjoy them along with your shopping.

Purchased Products and Reviews

Bepanthen Balm
- Price: 60,000 VND (approx. $2.50 USD)
- Use: Baby diaper rash prevention, dry skin moisturizer
- Review: Applying it 2-3 times on dry areas quickly soothed the skin. It's steroid-free, so it was also decent as an eye cream alternative.
Strepsils
- Price: 180,000 VND (approx. $7.50 USD, 100 lozenges)
- Use: Sore throat relief
- Review: The Lemon and Cool flavors suited Korean tastes well, while the Original had a rather strong scent. It's individually packaged, making it good for sharing during travel.
Vinaga
- Price: 75,000 VND (approx. $3.15 USD)
- Use: Eye health, antioxidant, liver protection
- Review: This supplement contains DHA, Vitamins A & E, and is easy to take. Adhering to the daily recommended dose helps with fatigue recovery.
Salonpas
- Price: 52,000 VND (approx. $2.20 USD, 40 patches)
- Use: Muscle pain, foot pain relief
- Review: The small size was convenient for applying to the soles of the feet, and they didn't peel off while moving. The pain relief was satisfactory; I regretted not buying more.
Differin
- Price: 160,000 VND (approx. $6.80 USD)
- Use: Acne treatment
- Review: This product requires a prescription in Korea, but it was easily available here. Using a small amount mixed with cream reduced irritation and made my skin smoother.
Dermatix Ultra
- Price: 195,000 VND (approx. $7.80 USD)
- Use: Scar improvement
- Review: Bought this for scar management. It's much cheaper than in Korea, and effects can be expected with long-term use.
Canesten
- Price: 55,000 VND (approx. $2.35 USD)
- Use: Athlete's foot, fungal infection treatment
- Review: The cream formula was easy to apply and absorbed quickly, helping to improve symptoms.
Biafine

Price: 95,000 VND (approx. $4.00 USD)
Use: Burn, sunburn treatment
Review: It quickly soothed my sunburned skin. Applying a thick layer 3-4 times a day is more effective.

Precautions Before Buying

While buying medicine in Nha Trang has the advantage of low prices, there are a few things to keep in mind. Checking these in advance can prevent unnecessary problems.

Check the Expiry Date
- Popular products sell quickly, but some may have old stock.
- Always check the HSD (Hạn Sử Dụng, expiry date) on the packaging.
Check the Ingredients
- If you have allergies, carefully check the Thành phần (ingredients) section.
- Even the same product may have different ingredients than in Korea.
Check the Packaging
- Avoid products with broken seals or damaged boxes.
- Especially for ointments and creams, check if they have been opened.
Card Fees
- Card payment fees vary from 0-3% by pharmacy.
- It's better to have cash ready for small purchases.
Language Barrier
- Preparing symptom descriptions or product names in the local language can make purchasing easier.
- Examples:
  - Headache → Dau dau (đau đầu)
  - Stomachache → Dau bung (đau bụng)
  - Itchy skin → Ngu da (ngứa nbsp; da)
Beware of Counterfeits

It's safer to use large pharmacies on main streets or those frequently visited by Korean tourists.
Always verify the authenticity of products that are excessively cheap.

Vietnam has lower production costs and many locally manufactured products, making them much cheaper than in Korea. Nha Trang, in particular, is well-equipped with many pharmacies, making it easy for travelers to find the medications they need.

In this article, I've shared Vietnam pharmacy recommendations and a must-buy medicine list for Nha Trang based on my actual experiences. The reasonable prices and wide variety of options will be a great help to travelers.

If you visit Nha Trang, I recommend including local pharmacy shopping in your itinerary. It will lighten your travel preparations, and you'll be able to get useful medicines at low prices for when you need them.