Watching parades and marches in Ho Chi Minh City in hot weather, how to protect your health?

This year's April 30th celebration has many meaningful commemorative activities, most notably the military parade in the center of Ho Chi Minh City. Gathering in large numbers in hot weather requires attention to many things to ensure health.

People watch the parade rehearsal on the evening of April 22 on Le Duan Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: THUY DUONG

Prepare carefully before going

Sharing with Tuoi Tre Online , Associate Professor Tran Van Ngoc - President of the Ho Chi Minh City Respiratory Association - said that the weather in Ho Chi Minh City is changing seasons, with hot sun during the day and occasional rain at the end of the day, so people need to pay attention to protecting their health when participating in recreational activities, watching parades and marches.

With this weather, it is easy to get respiratory infections, especially young children, the elderly, and people with underlying diseases. The heat also makes the body easily dehydrated, causing heat stroke.

To avoid infection and spread, people with flu symptoms should wear masks. The elderly and people with underlying diseases need to pay special attention to protecting their health because they are more likely to get sick if they get sick.

At 8pm on April 25, there will be a preliminary parade rehearsal. On the morning of April 27, there will be a general rehearsal.

The national celebration takes place from 6:30 a.m. on April 30 in Ho Chi Minh City.

The parade to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day will take place solemnly at 8:00 a.m. on April 30 on Le Duan Street (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) with more than 13,000 participants.

To ensure safety and a complete holiday, Dr. Pham Ngoc Thach - Deputy Director of Children's Hospital 2 - advises people to prepare carefully before going.

Accordingly, you need to eat well, absolutely do not skip meals, especially breakfast or lunch before attending the event. A balanced meal will provide enough energy for the body to function for many hours. Make sure to get enough sleep the night before to keep the body healthy and alert.

Wear loose, breathable, moisture-wicking clothing, preferably in light colors. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect your skin and eyes. Choose comfortable, soft-soled shoes because you may be standing or walking a lot.

Bring essentials such as drinking water, snacks, and cooling items. Specifically, bring enough filtered water or electrolyte water (pre-mixed ORS). Avoid carbonated soft drinks, coffee, or alcoholic beverages because they can cause dehydration faster.

Prepare some portable, energy-rich, non-perishable snacks. Bring a hand fan, wet tissues or a small towel to wipe away sweat and cool down when needed.

Drink water regularly throughout the event. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. Take small, frequent sips of water, especially if you're sweating a lot. If the event is long and you feel hungry or a little tired, eat the snacks you've prepared.

Standing for long periods of time and jostling for space also consumes energy. So avoid standing in one place for too long. If possible, change your position, move your legs or find a place to sit and rest for a few minutes to improve blood circulation and reduce fatigue. Try to stand in shady places whenever possible to avoid direct sunlight.

Pay attention to those around you, especially children and the elderly, making sure they also drink enough water and get adequate rest.

Pay attention to skin damage in hot weather

Dr. Tran Ngoc Phuong - Department of Dermatology, Ho Chi Minh City Dermatology Hospital - said that hot weather can damage the skin if there is no protection, UV rays can damage the epidermis, leading to sunburn, burning...

When attending outdoor events, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, at least 15 minutes before going outside and reapply every 2 hours if outdoors.

Prioritize long-sleeved, breathable, light-colored clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-protective sunglasses. Use scarves, thick cloth masks, and sun umbrellas to limit direct sunlight on the face and neck.

Dr. Phuong added that when experiencing symptoms such as red skin, burning, tightness, irritation, and possible blistering, people should cool the affected skin area with a cold towel or cool water (do not use ice directly). Moisturize with moisturizer, aloe vera gel, cream containing panthenol or skin soothing products, and avoid using cosmetics containing alcohol or fragrances.

If your skin blisters, do not pop them yourself or apply corticosteroids without a doctor's instructions. Always remember to restore your skin by drinking plenty of water and eating fresh fruit, especially those rich in vitamin C.

If you have fever, dizziness, nausea, or widespread blistering, go to a medical facility immediately.

Recognize abnormal signs and how to handle them

Dr. Pham Ngoc Thach notes, be alert to symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, lightheadedness, sudden fatigue, weakness. Abnormal sweating (cold or hot), or conversely, hot skin but no sweating (dangerous sign of heatstroke).

Pale or flushed skin, headache, nausea, vomiting, tremors (possibly due to low blood sugar), muscle cramps, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, confusion, disorientation.

Initial treatment: Immediately take the person showing abnormal signs to a cool, shady place. Loosen clothing, give them water or electrolyte solution in small sips (if the person is still conscious and can swallow). Use a wet towel to cool the body, especially the neck, armpits, and groin.

If hypoglycemia is suspected (tremors, cold sweats), immediately give sweets such as candy, sugar water, fruit juice (if conscious).

Seek medical help: If symptoms do not improve quickly or become severe (such as lethargy, seizures, hot, dry skin, severe vomiting, inability to drink), seek medical help from the event staff (if available) or call an ambulance immediately.

Don't be subjective because the condition can worsen very quickly in crowded and hot conditions.

“Being well prepared and always being aware of maintaining good health will help everyone participate in activities celebrating the April 30 holiday safely and happily,” Dr. Thach emphasized.

Read more Back to Topics

Back to topic

XUAN MAI - THUY DUONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/xem-dieu-binh-dieu-hanh-tai-tp-hcm-trong-thoi-tiet-nang-nong-bao-ve-suc-khoe-sao-20250425093940334.htm