When traveling abroad to Vietnam, there are a range of vaccines you should consider. It is important to contact a healthcare provider specializing in vaccinations for Vietnam to ensure you have enough time to receive the necessary vaccines. Continue reading to learn which vaccines are recommended or required when traveling to Vietnam, along with helpful tips to avoid mosquito bites (malaria and dengue fever) and other health risks.
1. Vaccinations in Vietnam
For most short-term travelers, the vaccines typically recommended when traveling to Vietnam include those for childhood diseases (tetanus and diphtheria, measles, mumps, and rubella), as well as vaccines for food and waterborne diseases, including typhoid and hepatitis A.
For those planning to hike in rural Vietnam or stay for longer periods, vaccination against hepatitis B and rabies should also be considered.
It is recommended to start vaccinations four to six weeks before departure. However, those planning to stay long-term or visit rural areas of Vietnam should schedule a consultation earlier to ensure there is enough time to complete the vaccination series.
Vietnam is a malaria-endemic area, and the risk of transmission occurs in many regions of the country. Therefore, you may need to consider malaria prophylaxis depending on your itinerary.
Most travelers to Vietnam will not encounter significant safety and security issues, although street crime can be a concern in large cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. These crimes are typically pickpocketing or snatching. Always be cautious with your personal belongings and avoid flaunting wealth.
The greatest risks for travelers to Vietnam are usually related to food and waterborne diseases, mosquito bites, and traffic. It is always important to exercise caution and common sense to ensure a safe and pleasant holiday.
2. Do I need vaccines before traveling to Vietnam?
Yes. When traveling to a foreign land, you will be exposed to a range of new microorganisms that thrive in different environments around the world. Vaccination should be a top priority, and you should start at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure to give your body enough time to build immunity from the vaccines. (Keep in mind that some vaccines may require more than one dose).
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There are many vaccines commonly recommended when traveling abroad, while others are mandatory when traveling to specific countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all travelers be up-to-date on childhood vaccinations and booster doses. Common vaccines include: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT), polio, varicella (chickenpox), and influenza.
Other vaccines are also recommended or required when traveling to Vietnam: typhoid, hepatitis A, Japanese encephalitis, chikungunya, rabies, hepatitis B, influenza, COVID-19, pneumonia, meningitis, chickenpox, shingles, and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis). The risk of exposure to some of these diseases may be higher when traveling abroad. Below is information about some of the recommended vaccines for travel in Vietnam:
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Vaccines
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Details
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How it spreads
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COVID-19
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Recommended for travel to all areas, both domestic and international.
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Airborne transmission
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Chikungunya
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In the past five years, there has been evidence of chikungunya virus transmission in Vietnam. Vaccination against chikungunya should be considered for the following travelers:
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Individuals aged 65 and above, especially those with underlying health conditions, who may be indoors or outdoors where mosquitoes are present for at least 2 weeks (total stay duration) in Vietnam, OR
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Individuals planning to stay in Vietnam for a total period of 6 months or more.
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Mosquitoes
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Hepatitis A
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Recommended for travelers of all ages who have not been vaccinated when traveling to Vietnam.
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Food and drinks
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Polio
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Due to the global increase in cases, booster doses for adults are recommended for most travelers to any destination.
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Food and drinks
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Japanese Encephalitis
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Recommended depending on itinerary and activities. May be given to short-term and long-term travelers, frequent travelers, and those going to rural areas. Present nationwide, especially in northern regions. Most cases occur from May to October.
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Mosquitoes
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Rabies
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Rabid dogs are sometimes found in Vietnam. Vaccination is recommended for long-term travelers and those who may have contact with animals.
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Saliva of infected animals
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Hepatitis A
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Recommended for travelers of all ages who have not been vaccinated when traveling to Vietnam.
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Blood and bodily fluids
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TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis)
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Only one booster dose for adults for whooping cough.
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Wounds and airborne transmission
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Chickenpox
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Given to those who have not been vaccinated and have never had chickenpox.
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Direct contact and airborne transmission
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Typhoid
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Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or family or visiting small towns or rural areas.
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Food and drinks
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Pneumonia
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Two separate vaccines. All individuals aged 65 and above or those with weakened immune systems should receive both vaccines.
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Airborne transmission
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Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR)
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Given to anyone who has not been vaccinated and/or was born after 1957. A booster dose is recommended for adults once.
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Multiple factors
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Shingles
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Vaccination can still be given if you have had shingles.
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Direct contact
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3. Why it’s important to get vaccinated
There are three main reasons to get vaccinated:
3.1. You are going to areas with poor hygiene
It is believed that in developing countries, any disease becomes more dangerous for two important reasons:
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The country has less developed healthcare than Western countries, where diseases that have been eradicated in your home country may still appear.
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In case of infection with any disease, medical services may not be sufficient to treat you properly or on time, or you may even need to be moved to other areas of the country where more developed hospitals can provide treatment.
3.2. To avoid overwhelming the healthcare system
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To mainly focus on your health and avoid the risks of getting sick in distant countries, getting vaccinated is also strongly recommended for the effectiveness of the healthcare system: the cost of vaccination is on average fifty times less than the cost of treating the same disease. Therefore, we recommend getting vaccinated to avoid unnecessarily overwhelming the public healthcare system.
3.3. To avoid affecting those around you
Finally, not getting vaccinated can also be a risk to your family and friends when you return: you may carry diseases that, even if they are not life-threatening to you or anyone else, will require treatment for those people. It is foolish to put others at risk just because you didn’t get vaccinated.
4. Good to know before traveling to Vietnam
You may face various health risks when traveling to Vietnam – a tropical country. Most of these risks can be minimized or prevented by getting vaccinated before you go and practicing simple hygiene habits such as handwashing, maintaining social distancing, and being cautious about food and drink consumption.
4.3. Vaccination before traveling to Vietnam
Before traveling to Vietnam, you should get vaccinated. However, the necessary vaccinations depend on the area you will be visiting in the country and your age. In Vietnam, there are some risks related to Japanese encephalitis, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. However, this risk only exists during certain times of the year.
4.3. Cholera
The risk of contracting cholera in Vietnam is very low. Following basic hygiene practices such as washing hands and only drinking treated water will significantly reduce the risk of contracting cholera.
4.3. Insects
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Insects such as mosquitoes, fleas, or ticks can cause itching and swelling, but they can also carry diseases such as dengue fever or malaria. Try to avoid insect bites by:
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Wearing clothes that cover as much of your body as possible.
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Applying insect repellent to exposed skin.
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In some cases, using a mosquito net.
4.4. Diarrhea
This condition can occur anywhere and can range from mild to very severe with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever, and other symptoms. Prevention includes frequent handwashing, only drinking treated water, bottled water, or boiled water, and being cautious with food and drink choices. You can bring a travel diarrhea kit for self-treatment if needed.
4.5. Other health risks
This is not a comprehensive list of diseases you may encounter in Vietnam. You may also need vaccinations for diseases such as chickenpox, pneumonia, flu, shingles, and meningitis. Your healthcare provider will inform you of any additional vaccines and other potential vaccines that you may need.
Source: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/vietnam