Travel Vaccines for Vietnam
Vietnam is a popular destination for holidays, backpacking, family visits, business travel, and longer stays. Before you travel, it is sensible to review the health risks relevant to your itinerary and make sure you have the right vaccines and travel advice in place.
At Edinburgh Vaccination Clinic, we provide personalised travel health advice for Vietnam based on your destination, trip duration, planned activities, and medical history.
Travellers to Vietnam should consider a range of health issues, including food and water-borne illness, mosquito-borne infections, rabies, tuberculosis in some circumstances, and malaria in selected areas.
Do I Need Vaccines for Vietnam?
There is no single vaccine list that applies to every traveller to Vietnam. The right advice depends on where you are going, how long you are staying, the type of accommodation you are using, and what you plan to do while you are there. A pre-travel consultation is ideally arranged 4 to 6 weeks before departure, although later advice can still be beneficial.
For Vietnam, vaccines are best considered in two groups.
Commonly Considered for Many Travellers
- Hepatitis A
- Tetanus
- Typhoid
Considered for Some Travellers
- Chikungunya
- Dengue
- Hepatitis B
- Japanese Encephalitis
- Rabies
- Tuberculosis (BCG)
Travellers should also ensure that their routine UK vaccinations are fully up to date before travel, including routine protection such as MMR and diphtheria, tetanus and polio where appropriate.
Vietnam Vaccine Guide
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is commonly considered for Vietnam because it is spread through contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infectious person. Vaccination is recommended for all previously unvaccinated travellers because it is well tolerated and provides long-lasting protection.
Tetanus
Tetanus protection should be reviewed before travel. If your routine course is incomplete, or if you are travelling in circumstances where medical facilities may be limited after an injury, a booster may be recommended if your last dose was more than 10 years ago.
Typhoid
Typhoid is commonly considered for Vietnam, particularly for travellers visiting friends and relatives, young children, frequent travellers, and long-stay travellers visiting areas where sanitation and food hygiene may be poor.
Chikungunya
There is a risk of chikungunya in Vietnam. Vaccination may be considered for travellers aged 12 and over who are travelling to regions with a current outbreak, who are long-term or frequent travellers to higher-risk areas, or who may be exposed through their work.
Dengue
There is a risk of dengue in Vietnam. Vaccination may be considered for travellers aged 4 years and over who have had dengue infection in the past and who are travelling to areas with dengue risk or ongoing outbreaks, or who may be exposed through their work. In selected situations, vaccination may also be considered after specialist risk assessment in travellers without previous dengue infection.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B may be relevant for longer trips, work-related travel, possible medical treatment abroad, contact sports, or any situation where exposure to blood or body fluids may occur. Vietnam is considered to have an intermediate or high prevalence of hepatitis B.
Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis occurs throughout Vietnam. Risk is present year-round, with seasonal peaks from May to October, especially in the north. Vaccination may be considered for longer stays, rural travel, uncertain itineraries, frequent travel, or shorter trips with increased exposure such as visits to rice fields or pig farms.
Rabies
Rabies is an important consideration for Vietnam. It is considered a risk in domestic animals, and bats may also carry rabies-like viruses. Vaccination may be particularly relevant for longer stays, outdoor activity, animal contact, rural travel, and travel to areas where access to post-exposure treatment may be limited.
Tuberculosis (BCG)
Tuberculosis vaccination may be relevant for selected travellers. BCG vaccination is mainly considered for unvaccinated children under 16 who are going to live in Vietnam for more than 3 months, and for some people at increased risk of exposure or severe disease.
Is There Malaria in Vietnam?
Malaria is present in selected parts of Vietnam
Malaria risk in Vietnam is generally low and is mainly relevant in the southern part of the country, including the provinces of Tay Ninh, Lam Dong, Dak Lak, Gia Lai, and Kon Tum, as well as some other rural areas. It is not usually a concern in the Red River or Mekong deltas.
Do I Need Malaria Tablets?
Some travellers may need antimalarial medication, while others may not. This depends on:
- the regions you are visiting
- whether you are spending time in rural or forested areas
- trip duration
- season of travel
- access to medical care
- your medical history
A personalised travel consultation is the best way to decide whether malaria tablets are appropriate for your trip.
Mosquito-Borne Risks in Vietnam
Vietnam has several important mosquito-borne infections to be aware of.
Chikungunya
Chikungunya is a recognised risk in Vietnam and is spread by mosquitoes that mainly bite during daytime hours.
Dengue
Dengue is also a recognised risk in Vietnam. The mosquitoes that spread dengue are more common in towns, cities, and surrounding areas and mainly bite during the day.
Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis is a consideration throughout Vietnam, particularly in rural areas and in travellers with increased outdoor exposure.
Malaria
Malaria remains relevant in selected rural and southern areas and should be reviewed carefully as part of your itinerary-based risk assessment.
How to Reduce Mosquito Risk in Vietnam
Mosquito bite prevention is an important part of travel health advice for Vietnam.
Practical Steps
- use an effective insect repellent regularly
- wear long sleeves and long trousers where practical
- stay in screened or air-conditioned accommodation where possible
- use mosquito nets if appropriate
- take extra care with daytime mosquito exposure for dengue and chikungunya, and dusk-to-dawn exposure for Japanese encephalitis and malaria where relevant
These measures remain important whether or not you are advised to have vaccines or malaria tablets.
Rabies Risk in Vietnam
Rabies is one of the important travel health considerations for Vietnam.
How to Reduce Your Risk
- avoid contact with all animals
- do not handle stray or unfamiliar animals
- supervise children carefully around animals
- wash any bite or scratch immediately
- seek urgent medical help after any bite, scratch, or saliva exposure to broken skin
Even travellers who have received pre-travel rabies vaccination still require urgent medical assessment after a possible exposure.
Food and Water Safety in Vietnam
Food and water-borne illness remains an important issue for travellers to Vietnam. This is one reason why Hepatitis A and Typhoid are so commonly considered.
Practical Advice
- drink bottled or properly treated water
- avoid ice where water safety is uncertain
- eat food that is freshly cooked and served hot
- be cautious with raw foods
- maintain good hand hygiene
These measures complement vaccine protection and remain an important part of staying well while travelling.
Vaccine Certificates and Entry Requirements
Are there vaccine certificate requirements?
There are no certificate requirements under the International Health Regulations for Vietnam.
Other Health Risks to Consider
Travel health planning for Vietnam is not limited to vaccines.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is present in Vietnam, and BCG vaccination may be relevant for selected travellers, especially some children staying for longer periods.
Rural and Outdoor Travel
Longer trips, rural travel, trekking, and more independent itineraries can increase the relevance of vaccines such as Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis, Hepatitis B, and Typhoid.
Who Should Book a Vietnam Travel Health Appointment?
A pre-travel consultation is useful for all travellers but particularly if you are:
Travelling for Longer
Longer stays often increase the relevance of vaccines such as Hepatitis B, Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis, and in some cases Tuberculosis (BCG).
Visiting Rural or Higher-Risk Areas
This may increase the need to consider Japanese Encephalitis, malaria prevention, and careful bite-avoidance measures.
Planning Outdoor Activity
Travellers planning activities such as running, cycling, trekking, or extended outdoor travel may have greater relevance for rabies and mosquito-related risk assessment.
Travelling With Children
Children may have different vaccine considerations, including review of routine vaccines and, in some cases, BCG for longer stays.
Unsure If Your Vaccines Are Up to Date
A travel consultation can review both routine UK vaccines and Vietnam-specific travel vaccine considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vaccines are usually considered for Vietnam?
For many travellers, the most commonly considered vaccines are Hepatitis A, Tetanus, and Typhoid, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Rabies, and Tuberculosis (BCG) considered for some travellers.
Do I need Japanese Encephalitis vaccine for Vietnam?
Possibly. Japanese encephalitis occurs throughout Vietnam, and vaccination may be appropriate depending on where you are going, how long you are staying, and what activities you have planned.
Do I need rabies vaccine for Vietnam?
Possibly. Rabies may be relevant depending on your itinerary, activities, and access to prompt medical care.
Is dengue a risk in Vietnam?
Yes. There is a recognised dengue risk in Vietnam and vaccination may be considered for some travellers after an individual assessment.
Do I need malaria tablets for Vietnam?
Sometimes. Malaria is generally low risk and mainly relevant in selected southern and rural areas, so the decision depends on your exact itinerary.
When should I book my travel vaccines for Vietnam?
Ideally 4 to 6 weeks before departure, although later advice can still be very useful.
Book Your Vietnam Travel Vaccine Appointment
If you are travelling to Vietnam, book an appointment with Edinburgh Vaccination Clinic for tailored travel health advice.
We will review your itinerary, assess which vaccines and precautions are appropriate, and help you travel with confidence.
