Vietnam

Recommended Vaccinations For Vietnam

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against the disease.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended to infants 6 to 11 months prior to international travel

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

A BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

Japanese encephalitis occurs year-round in this country with seasonal peaks from May to October, especially in the north. The highest rates occur in the northern provinces around Hanoi and northwestern provinces bordering China. Vaccination is recommended for travellers who visit the high-risk areas during the seasonal peaks and engage in extensive outdoor activities while visiting rural and/or rice farming areas.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Vietnam

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine. In some areas, anti-malaria drug resistance for mefloquine and chloroquine has been reported.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Vietnam

For Most Travellers

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya is a viral disease that occurs throughout Vietnam.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks occur all year long throughout Vietnam, with the peak season May through October.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Vietnam through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Cholera

Cholera has occurred in this country.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Vietnam.

For Some Travellers

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in Vietnam through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus.

Malaria

High risk areas in Vietnam include rural and forested areas. Low risk areas include the cities of Da Nang, Hai Phong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Nha Trang, and Quy Nhon.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in the country.

Scrub Typhus

This disease generally occurs year-round in Vietnam.

Measles

There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.

Zika Fever

Zika virus has occurred in this country. However, the mosquitoes that transmit Zika virus are unlikely to be found above 2,000m altitude.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to Vietnam are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Vietnam, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis occurs countrywide and year-round, especially from May to October in the northern provinces bordering China and around Hanoi. The risk for travellers of contracting Japanese encephalitis is low, but visiting the listed areas and extensive outdoor activity in rural areas will increase this risk.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Vietnam

Personal Safety

Vietnam ranks 41st out of 163 countries on the 2024 Global Peace Index and receives a Level 1 Travel Advisory from the US State Department. Violent crime against foreigners is rare. Your main concern will be petty crime. Motorbike thieves snatch phones, bags, cameras and valuables from pedestrians and riders, especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. This happens frequently in crowded tourist areas and increases during Christmas and Tet Lunar New Year. Hold bags on the side away from traffic and stay aware of approaching motorbikes. Pickpocketing occurs regularly in markets, buses, trains and supermarkets. Drugs sold in Vietnam can be extremely dangerous. They may be fake, synthetic or laced with toxic ingredients. Nitrous oxide balloons in nightclubs and street snacks from strangers have been reported as dangerous. Drug and sex offenses carry severe penalties including long prison sentences or death. Street vendors may sell counterfeit alcohol. If arrested, notification to your embassy can take weeks. Healthcare is limited. Doctors often don’t speak English and demand upfront payment from foreigners. The Vietnamese legal system differs significantly from Western standards and prisons are very poor. You can be detained for long periods without evidence or charges.

Extreme Violence

Vietnam has a 0% terrorism risk according to the 2024 Global Terrorism Index, making it one of the safest countries in Southeast Asia for terrorist threats. In June 2023, an attack on two commune police stations in Dak Lak province killed nine people. Authorities arrested 75 individuals and designated certain Montagnard organizations as terrorist groups. This incident was isolated and occurred in a remote area that doesn’t impact tourism. Internal conflicts are generally restricted to remote regions and don’t affect visitors. Dedicated tourist police forces operate in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to assist foreign visitors. Violent crimes like murder, assault and armed robbery are relatively rare, especially against tourists. Vietnam has experienced no major external or internal conflicts since 1975.

Political Unrest

Vietnam ranks in the bottom 25% of countries for civil unrest globally. Large-scale protests or violent demonstrations are rare. The government places heavy controls on political protests and public demonstrations. Small-scale peaceful demonstrations occasionally occur, often related to territorial disputes with China or land rights issues. Protests are generally not tolerated and quickly suppressed. Land confiscations have become a flashpoint throughout the country, with residents accusing the government of ignoring small landholders in favor of real estate or industrial developments. Public gatherings on sensitive topics like human rights, democracy and civil society are closely monitored by police. Avoid any protests or demonstrations and follow instructions from authorities. Political dissent is rare. More than 170 rights activists and bloggers were serving prison sentences as of 2024. Criticizing the government or advocating alternatives to Communist Party rule can lead to detention, travel bans or prison sentences. Independent labor unions, human rights organizations, independent media and political parties remain prohibited.

Areas To Avoid

Border areas with China, Cambodia and Laos require permits from provincial police and are not always clearly marked. US citizens have been detained after traveling near these borders without proper authorization. Restrictions exist near military bases. Don’t take photos near military installations. Landmines and unexploded ordnance remain a serious hazard in former battlefields, particularly in central Vietnam and along the Laos border near the former Ho Chi Minh Trail. Mined areas are often unmarked. Remote rural areas in the Central Highlands have experienced occasional ethnic tensions, though these incidents are isolated and don’t typically affect tourists. Adventure activities like trekking, zip-lining, rock climbing and parasailing can be dangerous. Trails aren’t always marked and weather conditions change rapidly during the rainy season. Tour operators may not adhere to international safety standards. Eastern coastal regions face tropical cyclones from May to November, bringing heavy rain, flooding and landslides. Monitor weather forecasts and follow evacuation orders from local authorities.