Prepare your luggage

This year's National Day holiday lasts from 30/8 to 2/9, giving people time to travel or visit family. Before traveling, make a list of essential clothing and belongings, pack light, and check the weather forecast at your destination to choose appropriate attire. Extreme hot or cold temperatures can negatively impact health, potentially causing colds, heatstroke, pneumonia, or even strokes. If possible, create a detailed itinerary and pack over-the-counter medications like fever reducers and digestive aids.

Masks

Masks are essential for travel, protecting against dust and the risk of bacterial and viral infections spread through the respiratory system, especially in crowded places like bus stations, airports, and festivals.

One of the highlights of this year's holiday is Hanoi, with its series of celebratory events, military parades, and marches, attracting millions of participants. In this context, masks become an effective preventive tool.

Personal hygiene

Frequent handwashing, especially before meals and after using the restroom, is crucial for maintaining health while traveling. Traveling and sightseeing involve touching many shared surfaces in public areas, potentially leading to the transmission of bacteria and viruses. Personal hygiene helps prevent respiratory and digestive illnesses. Daily showering also removes dirt and grime, promoting better sleep.

Adequate nutrition

Trips are more enjoyable when we're healthy, so maintain energy levels and stay hydrated. Many people prioritize exploring and having fun during holidays, sometimes skipping or forgetting meals and water. This can lead to low energy, hypoglycemia, fatigue, weakened immunity, and increased susceptibility to infections. Irregular eating habits also increase the risk of diabetes, stomach ulcers, and dyslipidemia. Therefore, eating regular, nutritious meals and staying hydrated are crucial for maintaining health.

Regular sleep

When visiting new places, many people tend to explore more and sleep less. However, chronic sleep deprivation prevents the body from recovering, leading to exhaustion, a weakened immune system, and increased vulnerability to illness. Getting enough sleep each night allows the body to replenish energy, making for a more enjoyable and successful trip.

Mosquito bite prevention

Mosquito bites are not just itchy and annoying; they can also transmit diseases. Recently, there have been warnings about an increase in dengue fever cases in several areas, and dozens of Japanese encephalitis cases have been reported in various provinces. Chikungunya has also caused outbreaks in neighboring China. Therefore, it's essential to take precautions against mosquito bites and get vaccinated against mosquito-borne diseases.

Vaccinations

For pre-trip health protection, consider vaccinations against influenza, pneumococcal disease, meningococcal disease, chickenpox, measles, and other illnesses. Traveling, commuting, and attending festivals can create opportunities for pathogens to attack the body. Meningococcal bacteria, for example, have a high carrier rate among healthy individuals, and those who contract the disease risk death within 24 hours. Get vaccinated early, as vaccines need at least two weeks to generate protective antibodies.

Khanh Chi

_Anh: Vecteezy, VNVC_