Does Vietnam have regular toilets?

What do toilets look like in Vietnam?

The porcelain… cold against my skin, late at night. It’s always a gamble. Sometimes, the squat toilets… they’re everywhere. A humbling experience, really.

Not all are created equal. Some are… cleaner than others. You’ll find yourself judging the state of a country based on toilet hygiene. It’s absurd. I know.

Finding a western toilet? A luxury. Shopping malls, the nicer hotels, tourist spots. But even there… the soap’s suspect sometimes. Hand sanitizer, always. A must. My trusty bottle, in my bag, always.

I’ve learned to manage, mostly. The squat thing? Takes practice. You get used to it. I hate dirty bathrooms, though. The smell… ugh. It lingers in my mind.

• Squat toilets are prevalent in many areas.
• Western-style toilets are available in more developed areas.
• Hygiene standards vary widely. Carry sanitizer; soap is not guaranteed.
• Waste disposal is important. Do it properly. Always. It matters more than you’d think.

My last trip, 2023, was… a mix. Some beautiful, clean places. Others… not so much. I still have nightmares about that one bus station. Still.

What are the toilets like in Vietnam?

Vietnam’s toilets… Yeah, I remember.

Budget places, especially, will have squat toilets.

• Porcelain holes in the ground, basically.
• Places to put your feet.

They got those… I saw them a lot up in Ha Giang, near the Chinese border when I was on that awful motorbike trip with my ex. Always wet.

Seemed awful at first, sure.

More hygienic, though. Less to go wrong, I suppose.

• Easier to clean, maybe.
• Simple. Just… there.

Western ones seem almost… decadent, now. Compared.

I think it’s better, I suppose. It’s just… different. Different than I’m used to.

Are you supposed to flush toilet paper in Vietnam?

Oh, honey, flushing toilet paper in Vietnam? That’s a recipe for plumbing Armageddon! You might as well try to send a carrier pigeon with a spreadsheet. Ain’t gonna work.

Instead, peep that bin next to the throne. That’s where the magic happens, or rather, doesn’t happen in the pipes.

Speaking of magic, or lack thereof, that soap? I’d sooner lick a doorknob (okay, maybe not). But seriously, bring your own hand sani. I carry mine like it’s liquid gold. My sister, Brenda, does too, ever since she saw a monkey using the bathroom at that rest stop near Da Nang, lol.

Here’s the lowdown:

• Don’t flush. Seriously. Just. Don’t.
• The bin is your friend. Embrace the bin!
• BYOS (Bring Your Own Sanitizer). Seriously, Brenda swears by it.
• Assume all public restrooms are basically petri dishes. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst!
• Speaking of Brenda, she also carries her own wipes. But she’s extra like that. But maybe she’s right and you should do that!

Why is this the way it is? Well, apparently Vietnam’s plumbing is like a delicate flower, and toilet paper is like a herd of elephants tap-dancing on it. Older systems, smaller pipes, you get the gist. Plus, the septic systems are often not up to the task, so even if it goes down, where does it go? Yikes. This is why I prefer to go when in need to my own bathroom back home.

Can I throw toilet paper in the toilet in Vietnam?

Nah, flushing toilet paper in Vietnam is generally a no-go. Plumbing infrastructure often struggles with it, leading to blockages.

• Consider it a cultural norm.
• Use the provided bins, which are standard.
• Think of it as a tiny contribution to keeping things flowing smoothly. This is true for a lot of places, you know?

It’s kinda like navigating the metro in Tokyo – you adapt. It’s about the journey, not just the destination (even in the bathroom, ha!). I actually saw this everywhere when I was visiting my cousin Trang.

Modern buildings might have the infrastructure to handle toilet paper, but it’s best to err on the side of caution. Err on the side of caution I say!

• When in doubt, bin it!
• Look for signage. It is a good tip.
• A simple solution.

It’s fascinating how infrastructure shapes everyday behavior.