Risk / Health Info for Vietnam

What inoculations do I need for Vietnam?

If you are wondering what vaccinations are needed for Vietnam, our advisors can put together a travel health regime that meets all your needs. Jabs for food- and water-borne diseases, including hepatitis A and typhoid, are recommended for a visit to Vietnam.

Vietnam has cases of rabies in mammals including dogs and bats. If you will be working with animals or doing outdoor activities such as caving or hiking you should consider rabies vaccination. Children should also be vaccinated. Even if you are vaccinated, you should get any animal bites or scratches looked at by a healthcare professional.

Japanese encephalitis, for which a vaccine is available, is endemic in Vietnam. Consider a vaccine for Japanese encephalitis if you are staying for a long period or if you will be spending time in rural areas, particularly near rice paddies. You should practise mosquito bite avoidance during your stay in Vietnam as malaria and dengue fever are also a risk.

What medical facilities are there in Vietnam?

If you require treatment in Vietnam for anything more complicated than a minor injury you may need to be evacuated. Ensure you have travel insurance if you are going to Vietnam, and available funds to pay for your treatment as some hospitals demand a guarantee of payment before treatment begins.

Other advice for travellers in Vietnam

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office warns that some travellers to Vietnam have suffered from psychotic episodes after using synthetic marijuana. It has also issued a warning about non-branded rice wine, which may contain lethal levels of methanol.

Carry your prescription medication in your hand luggage with a copy of your prescription. It may be hard to obtain some medicines in Vietnam and you should beware of counterfeit drug.

Altitude in Vietnam

Parts of Vietnam are higher than 2,400m, and travellers planning to spend time at a high altitude should take steps to protect themselves against the potentially life-threatening acute mountain sickness. Your healthcare provider can help with this.

Dengue fever in Vietnam

There have been cases of the mosquito-borne virus dengue fever in Vietnam. Dengue fever is also known as breakbone fever because of the severe bone, joint and muscular pains it causes, in addition to flu-like fever and headache. There is no vaccine for dengue fever. Avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellents (50% DEET) and by wearing protective clothing. Sleeping with mosquito nets is also recommended.

Malaria in Vietnam

Malaria prophylaxis will be required for some parts of Vietnam at certain times of year. There is no malaria vaccine, but there are anti-malaria drugs that should be taken before, during and after travelling to certain at-risk countries. Speak with your healthcare provider six weeks before your trip, as not all prophylaxis regimes are appropriate for all regions and all individuals.

Zika in Vietnam

Global Affairs Canada has issued a warning about the risk of contracting Zika in Vietnam. Zika is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes, and infection during pregnancy has been linked to birth defects. Women who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant should take advice before travelling to Vietnam. Zika symptoms include rash, itch, mild fever, headache, red eyes, muscle and joint pains. Avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellents (50% DEET) and by wearing protective clothing. Mosquito nets and air conditioning should be used when sleeping.

Japanese encephalitis in Vietnam