Pharmacity Ho Chi Minh Guide: Nasal Rinse & Mosquito Spray

Living in Ho Chi Minh City means keeping the air conditioning running almost 24/7...

During the day, I keep the living room AC on full blast, and at night, I set the bedroom AC to a gentle breeze at around 80°F.

In early July 2026, I made the mistake of sleeping directly under the AC vent with wet hair. I woke up with a terrible sinus blockage and some seriously alarming bright yellow mucus.

It was so bad that my partner suggested we find a local pharmacy to get some sinus relief or allergy medication. After a failed attempt to grab dinner at a local Banh Xeo spot (which was closed for the holidays), we stopped by a Pharmacity on our way home.

While searching for sinus meds, I spotted the famous Vietnamese mosquito repellent, Remos, right at the front counter—and it was on sale!

REMOS Lavender Scent (Travel Size)

43,000 VND (~$1.70) > 38,700 VND (~$1.50)

This is the smaller travel size, which is incredibly handy. I regret not looking for a larger bottle, but this compact spray is perfect to toss in a daypack.

Whether you are going for an evening run or dining at an outdoor street food stall, a reliable mosquito spray is an absolute must-have for daily life in Vietnam. (Tip: They also make a pink version specifically formulated for kids, so look out for that one!)

Now, let's look at the nasal irrigation and sinus relief options available at Pharmacity for anyone dealing with allergies, colds, or AC-induced congestion.

Option 1: Seawater Nasal Spray (80ml)

- Formulated with natural seawater and eucalyptus essential oil.

- Helps clear mucus and irritants to improve breathing.

- Relieves symptoms of colds, congestion, and allergic rhinitis.

- Cleanses and moisturizes nasal passages.

While convenient, sprays like this only provide temporary, surface-level relief, so I decided to skip it.

Option 2: Budget-Friendly Nasal Rinse Kit (My Pick!)

This kit comes with one 250ml plastic rinse bottle and 60 soluble saline tablets.

At one rinse per day, this pack will easily last you two full months!

Because the saline comes in tablet form, it is incredibly lightweight, easy to store, and ensures you get a fresh, sterile mix every single time.

Option 3: Rohto Nose Wash

This is a popular option from the Japanese brand Rohto. It includes a nasal rinse bottle and a pre-mixed 400ml bottle of liquid saline solution. It felt a bit too heavy and bulky for travel, so I passed on this one.

Option 4: NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit

The gold standard brand from the US.

This premium kit includes a 240ml rinse bottle and 60 packets of high-quality, medical-grade saline powder.

It is completely free of chemical preservatives, iodine, gluten, and BPA, making it gentle enough even for pregnant women to use.

At 545,000 VND (~$21.50), it was the most expensive option on the shelf.

I ended up buying the highly cost-effective Option 2 (the tablet-based kit). It felt a bit strange at first, but making an "ahhhh" sound while rinsing really helped clear my sinuses, and I finally felt like I could breathe again!

However, I made a major mistake on my first try—I just used tap water because it was convenient.

As it turns out, the water quality you use is extremely important!

You must ALWAYS use bottled distilled water, or tap water that has been thoroughly boiled and then cooled down! Tap water in Vietnam is not safe for direct nasal irrigation. Learn from my mistake and read the instructions carefully before you rinse!