I have these red what look like hard blisters that have come up in and around my vagina, they are itchy and at times painfull. is this likely to be herpes?

Yes: Please see your health care provider to get a confirmed diagnosis and assume you have herpes until the diagnosis is confirmed.

Maybe: First of all blisters are not generally hard. Blisters around the vagina are commonly viral and most commonly a form of herpes. If these are recurrent then I would say this is highly likely herpes. If the "blisters" are hard and not fluid containing then not herpes. You should be seen by a doctor at the time they are present. No sex while they are evident.