Many international tourists are still curious about toilets in Vietnam when preparing for their trip to this country. As an Asian country with a very different lifestyle from Europe, America, and Australia, Vietnam has many unique types of toilets, varying by region, from bustling cities to peaceful countryside.
Let’s check the details!
1. Types of toilets in Vietnam
From “natural toilets” to modern automatic toilets, each type brings its own experience.
1. 1. Automatic toilets
Regarding automatic toilets, we want to mention modern ones, with high standards to serve international and domestic tourists. They are equipped with automatic devices such as automatic flushing, automatic light sensors to turn on and off the lights, and clean hygiene.
This type of toilet is often present in 4 or 5-star hotels in Vietnam for high-end tourists.
In addition to expensive hotels, we were surprised by the toilet system of AEON supermarket. The toilets here have excellent, clean, modern equipment. Their aisles are spacious, the sinks are well-maintained, and the deodorizers are good.
1.2. Western-style toilets
High-seat toilets are gaining popularity in major cities, developed tourist destinations, and even some rural areas, reflecting the country’s ongoing modernization.
That means modern life has gradually entered every alley and village road, changing the way of life and building toilets.
Therefore, finding a European-style toilet during your trip to Hanoi, Sapa, Hue, Da Nang, or Ho Chi Minh City is not difficult.
1.3. Asian squat toilets
This toilet still exists in some rural areas, especially public toilets, where international tourism has not yet developed.
While Asian squat toilets may seem complex to guests from Europe, America, England, and Australia, they are considered relatively clean for public places. The design helps users avoid direct contact between the toilet seat and their body, ensuring a hygienic experience.
>> Learn more about Asian squats and their cultural significance.
1.4. Toilets on the water
In some rural areas of the Mekong Delta, where rivers and canals cover a large area, you can see unique toilets built on the water. They are often surrounded by water coconut branches, with a few simple wooden bars for standing and sitting, hanging right on the surface of the canal.
Although this type of toilet used to be an indispensable part of daily life, today, they are gradually being replaced by more modern constructions to protect the environment and meet the increasing needs of the people.
1.5. “Natural toilets”
In some large rural areas or mountainous areas, houses are still sparse, places lack amenities, and “natural toilets” are still used.
“Natural toilets” is the name for outdoor toilets when no structures are built or set up. Some people dig small holes in the ground and fill them up after use. However, some places only leave waste on the ground, which can be challenging for those unfamiliar with it.
However, this situation rarely happens if you join the package tour programs. Almost all famous travel companies in Vietnam have carefully planned reasonable routes and well-organized stops where the toilets are fully equipped.
2. Notes on using Vietnamese toilets
2.1. When traveling to rural Vietnam, be prepared for unexpected toilet conditions to avoid confusion and stress.
2.2. Always carry toilet paper with you. Many Vietnamese toilets, especially free public ones, are not equipped with toilet paper.
2.3. Prepare some change to pay for using public toilets. The price is about 2,000 VND to 5,000 VND, equivalent to 0.08 USD to 0.2 USD.
2.4. It is better to use paid toilets than free public because paid toilets have cleaners to avoid bad smells and dirt. Only use public restrooms in some really necessary cases.
2.5. The toilet usually has a small trash bin where you should throw toilet paper or other personal items to avoid clogging. If you do not see a trash bin, throwing soft toilet paper into the toilet is acceptable. At the same time, bring a small plastic bag with you to throw away hard objects when unexpected.
3. FAQs
In this section, we share experiences revolving around using the toilet and answer frequently asked questions about it.
3.1. What is the water faucet in the toilet for?
In many Vietnamese toilets, you’ll find water faucets, also known as water sprayers. These are not for washing hands or faces, but for a local custom of washing your bottom after using the toilet. Understanding this practice is important for international visitors.
Use this faucet very carefully because the water force is often very strong. You should pay attention to avoid splashing water on your body and spraying too hard on sensitive areas that are easily damaged, such as thin skin or wounds.
3.2. Is toilet paper important in Vietnam?
Toilet paper has become a popular product in Vietnam’s modern life. It is often essential to form a daily habit.
However, as mentioned above, some toilets are equipped with water sprayers. Hence, toilet paper is often not provided because the water sprayer replaces it. Bringing personal toilet paper is always necessary if you are unfamiliar with using this faucet.
3.3. On long-distance trips, are there good toilets to use?
The construction of stops with European-style toilets has been widely developed to serve tourists. Therefore, many stops with suitable toilets on long-distance routes, such as Hanoi to Sapa, Hanoi to Ha Long, Hue to Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh to Tay Ninh, etc., are available.
3.4 How is the quality of toilets on the road and at tourist attractions?
Toilets at stops that provide food and beverage services and sell souvenirs are often better than free toilets at tourist attractions.
However, they are often not the same at hotel toilets. So we encourage you to use the toilet before leaving the hotel.
3.5. When walking around a city, what should I do to go to the toilet?
Most cafes in Vietnam have toilets. You go into this place to buy a drink, usually only costing 20,000 VND or more, and ask them to use the toilet. This is a respectful way of handling things and benefits both parties.
3.6. What is the toilet called in Vietnamese?
In Vietnamese, the toilet is called “Nhà vệ sinh.”
An interesting way in the language of tour guides, you will hear them use “Happy House” to refer to the toilet. The explanation for this word is that you will feel happier after using it.
3.7. Are the toilets for men and women separate?
In a few cases where the space is small, such as in restaurants or cafes, the toilets are not separated for men or women.
Most tourist attractions, rest stops, and large hotels separate the toilets for men and women.
The toilets for men will be marked with the word “Nam,” and the toilets for women will be marked with the phrase “Nữ.” Note that many toilets do not have words; they only print pictures of people representing the genders of men or women.
3.8. What are common phrases for using the toilet?
When you want to use the toilet, you can sa:
- “Làm ơn chỉ giúp tôi nhà vệ sinh?” = Could you please tell me where toilet is?
- “Tôi có thể sử dụng nhà vệ sinh được không?” = May I use toilet?
- “Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu vậy?” = Where is toilet?
3.9. How can I find a clean toilet in a coffee shop before using it?
The first condition for judging the cleanliness of the toilet is the presence of modern and luxurious coffee shops, such as Trung Nguyen coffee shops or cafes with beautiful decorations.
Another way to judge is that the prices of drinks in the shop are often higher than in other places. To match the price, their toilets cannot be bad.
You cannot expect the toilets on sidewalks and in popular coffee shops to be like those in 3— or 4-star hotels.
Vietnam’s toilets are as diverse as the country itself, from rudimentary to modern automatic ones. Using different toilets is also part of your journey. Being mentally prepared and knowing what to prepare to make everything go smoothly will make your trip more enjoyable.
If you have any “exciting” experience using toilets in Vietnam, please share it with us!