Nut allergy - Thailand and Vietnam

[Nearlyamumoftwo]

Good evening! We are considering holidays for 2027 and Thailand keeps crossing my mind. I have been to SE Asia a few times but this time we we will be bringing children and my son has a tree nut and peanut allergy. Does anyone have experience in travelling to this part of the world with a nut allergy, and how places were with catering for it? Did you feel like they had their practices under control or were you one edge the whole time? I suppose the likes of Bangkok, Phuket and Ho Chi Minh have more robust practises in place than some of the smaller islands? Any advice and tales of experience welcome!

I travelled all through Thailand last year with my 14 yr old who has severe nut and peanut allergies. I had a translated sign that I used where there was limited English spoken, but generally it was ok. Most places have English’s speaking staff. Street food is cooked in front of you- so we were happy to eat that as well. I was anxious before had and carried an Epi pen everywhere.

I was in Vietnam 15 months ago, & I don't think they are quite as aware of allergies as in the UK, possibly because they are less prevalent. They also cook with groundnut oil a lot.
Can you check with your tour operator/agent about this ? They should have accurate information.

Thanks @WineNoMore20 glad to hear you were able to travel through with no problem! Yes we would bring 2 epi pens with us - it's just more a case of us it a non starter - sounds like it's not

My allergy consultant has spoken about how prevalent allergies are in the UK/USA/Australia compared to the rest of the world. Apparently a lot of other countries don’t have it on their radars as much as countries with high allergy populations. My DC has nut and other allergies and this is the reason we wouldn’t ever go to Thailand whilst she’s small. I’d hate anything to happen and it’s a risk I’m not willing to take, even when food is cooked in front of you, risk of cross contamination etc.