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A South-East Asia backpacking trip is a well worn path. You’ll need to plan your travel route, but also think about your Vietnam injections as part of your preparation. In reality, you’re likely to consider the vaccines for Vietnam and Cambodia as most travellers visit both countries. Depending on your itinerary you’ll encounter a wide variety of urban and rural landscapes in Vietnam. This means that the inoculations for Vietnam will also vary depending on the type of journey you make. Just like many other tropical countries, you'll need to ensure that you're up to date with your childhood immunisations. There are other specialist injections for Vietnam and Cambodia that are common to both countries. Rabies and Japanese encephalitis are both widespread in South-east Asia and vaccination is particularly recommended for longer stay travellers. Please be aware that vaccine requirements for Vietnam are not confined to just injections as there’s an oral cholera vaccine for those at risk. Hepatitis B vaccine is an important inoculation for Vietnam you will also need to consider as it's common in Vietnam. We understand that booking the right vaccines for Vietnam can be confusing, but don’t worry, as here at Health Klinix, we can help you with all your Vietnam immunisation requirements. To help you, we have created a useful guide to give you an indication of the vaccines needed below.
What travel vaccinations do I need for Vietnam?
Dr Ravi Gowda, Consultant in Infectious Diseases or one of his highly trained clinical colleagues will be looking after your vaccine requirements. Find out more about the Health Klinix team.
Who will be providing your travel injections for Vietnam?
"Just remember, it’s not all about inoculations for Vietnam. A number of viral infections spread by mosquitoes are also very common in Vietnam.
You’re therefore at risk of dengue fever*, zika virus and chikungunya in Vietnam. None of them are treatable and there aren’t any vaccines available yet. However, you can considerably reduce your risk by avoiding insect bites by:
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Wearing long sleeved clothing
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Applying insect repellent
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Sleeping under a mosquito net"
*There is now a new vaccine available for dengue fever, just contact us for more information.
Dr Gowda's top tip for travel to Vietnam
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This will depend on which vaccines you have. You’ll find more information on our disease pages. Rabies will last 3-5 years after the primary course before a further booster is needed, according to the manufacturer.
Please note: you will need to book a travel consultation before we can administer travel vaccinations and this costs £30 (1 person).
Some vaccines need to be given over a month such as rabies and Japanese encephalitis, you should therefore start planning 4-6 weeks before you travel. If you've left it too late, last minute vaccines are still helpful as there are accelerated vaccine schedules that we can offer. Please contact us to see how we can help you travel safely.
Most vaccinations for Vietnam are very well tolerated. For further information please take a look at our specific individual disease pages.
Zika virus is present in Vietnam and can affect your baby. We therefore recommend avoiding travel to Vietnam and postponing all non-essential travel until after your pregnancy.
Most vaccinations can be given to children but some will require lower doses. A few are age restricted such as typhoid, hepatitis A.
Yes, as it's important that you're protected from vaccine preventable conditions as much as possible.
Recommended malaria tablets for Vietnam
Malaria risk map for Vietnam
Travelhealthpro.co.uk
You’re generally at low risk of malaria in Vietnam, particularly on the usual tourist trail. If you’re travelling to the cities of Hanoi, Ho Chin Min City, Red River, the Mekong Delta and the coastal plains, then there is very little risk of malaria and we would generally not recommend malaria tablets, however it’s still important that you make sure to avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellent and sleeping under mosquito nets.
In some circumstances you may be recommended to take malaria tablets. Examples include; prolonged stay in rural areas, the elderly, those with weakened immune systems or multiple medical problems. If you’re still not sure if you need malaria tablets, please don't worry as we can offer expert guidance during your consultation.
You are not at risk of yellow fever in Vietnam, as transmission only occurs in two continents; ie Central and South America, and parts of Africa. Take a look at these yellow fever risk areas for more details.
Vietnam has come a long way in the short forty years after the Vietnam war. Ho Chi Minh city captures the progressive, entrepreneurial spirit of the people of Southern Vietnam while this contrasts with the more conservative northern city of Hanoi. Away from the bustling cities are breathtaking landscapes, such as the stunning Ha Long bay with its emerald waters and forest topped limestone rocks, or the sugar white beaches of Da Nang. If you’re adventurous enough to venture to the very north of the country you’ll encounter the upland tribes with the traditional elaborate costumes and as well Vietnam’s under-appreciated biodiversity. Whatever you do, it’s important that you travel safely and so we recommend you contact us for advice on vaccines.
All about Vietnam
Additional health advice and risks for Vietnam
You may also be at risk of the following diseases:
We sometimes have travellers asking for the yellow fever vaccine for Vietnam but there’s no risk of yellow fever in Vietnam and no vaccine certificate requirement either.
Vietnam vaccine certificate requirements
Authors:
Dr Ravi Gowda, Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine
MBBS, MRCP(UK), DTM&H, MRCGP, DCH, DRCOG, DFFP
Caitlin Lancaster, BSc
Resources: