Quick answer: Peanuts and tree nuts turn up in sauces, pastes, garnishes and shared cooking oil across Thailand, Vietnam and Bali, often without being obvious on the plate. Carry a card in the local language for each country, show it before you order, and ask about sauces and cooking oil as well as the main dish. One bundle covers all three languages.
Thailand, Vietnam and Bali at a glance
| Country | Language | Dishes and items to watch | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Thai | Pad Thai, som tam, satay, massaman, chicken with cashew nuts, coconut ice cream, curry pastes and sauces | Thailand guide |
| Vietnam | Vietnamese | Street food, dipping sauces, crushed-nut garnishes and shared cooking surfaces | Vietnam guide |
| Bali, Indonesia | Indonesian | Peanut sauce, gado-gado, satay, and kemiri (candlenut) in sauces and pastes | Bali guide |
Get the Thailand, Vietnam & Bali card bundle – 3 cards, £9.99
Thailand
Peanuts and cashews are used widely in Thai cooking, and not only in the dishes you would expect. Pad Thai, som tam (papaya salad), satay, massaman curry and chicken with cashew nuts are the well-known ones. Also look out for coconut ice cream and desserts, curry pastes and sauces, and condiment stations where peanuts are offered alongside chilli and sugar. Busy street-food woks are often shared between dishes, so cross-contact is a real consideration even if a dish itself looks nut-free. Peanut oil may also be used for frying.
Read the full Thailand guide, or get the card on its own: Thai peanut & tree nut allergy card.
Save £5 with the three-country bundle
Vietnam
Street food is a big part of eating in Vietnam, and it is also where communication and cross-contact are hardest to control: small stalls, shared utensils, and sauces made in advance. Packaged food labelling in Vietnam does cover peanuts and tree nuts, but that does not help with food prepared in front of you, so telling the cook clearly matters more than reading labels. Our full guide goes through what to ask and how to approach different kinds of venue.
Read the full Vietnam guide, or get the card on its own: Vietnamese peanut & tree nut allergy card.
Save £5 with the three-country bundle
Bali and Indonesia
Peanut sauce is central to Indonesian food: gado-gado, satay and many street snacks use it. Kemiri (candlenut) is also used to thicken sauces and spice pastes, so a dish with no visible nuts can still contain them. The word kacang can mean peanut, bean or nut depending on context, which is one reason a written card is more reliable than a spoken word. Indonesia has allergen labelling rules for packaged food (BPOM Regulation 31/2018), but these will not help you in a warung or a market.
Read the full Bali guide, or get the card on its own: Indonesian peanut & tree nut allergy card.
Save £5 with the three-country bundle
The bundle: three cards, one download
The Thailand, Vietnam & Bali Peanut & Tree Nut Allergy Card Bundle includes a Thai, a Vietnamese and an Indonesian card, each in English and the local language. Bought separately the three cards come to £15; the bundle is £9.99. Keep them on your phone, or print and laminate copies for your wallet and day bag.
Other allergies on the same trip
If you also need a milk or coeliac card, these are sold separately: Thai (milk, gluten), Vietnamese (milk, gluten) and Indonesian (milk, coeliac, egg). You can also browse every language.
Packing checklist
- Your translation cards, saved offline on your phone and printed as a backup
- Prescribed medication, including adrenaline auto-injectors if you carry them, in hand luggage with a doctor's letter
- Travel insurance that covers your allergy and any pre-existing conditions
- An insulated medical bag for medication in hot weather
- Safe snacks for travel days and long journeys
Emergency numbers
- Thailand: ambulance 1669, police 191, Tourist Police 1155
- Indonesia (Bali): ambulance 118 or 119, general emergency 112, police 110
- Vietnam: check the current emergency numbers with your hotel or insurer on arrival, and save the address of the nearest international clinic.
FAQ
Do I need a different card for each country?
Yes. Each country uses a different language, so you need a Thai, a Vietnamese and an Indonesian card. The bundle includes all three.
Is the bundle cheaper than buying the cards separately?
Yes. The three cards cost £15 separately, or £9.99 as the bundle.
Does a card make a meal safe?
No. A card helps you explain your allergy clearly, but it cannot guarantee a dish or kitchen is safe. If you are unsure about a dish, it is fine to choose something else.
Can I travel to all three countries with the same card?
No: use the Thai card in Thailand, the Vietnamese card in Vietnam and the Indonesian card in Bali. The English side of each card is there for hotel and airline staff.
Disclaimer
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Food ingredients and local practices change. Always follow the advice of your doctor or allergy specialist and carry your prescribed emergency medication.
Last updated: 27 October 2026