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Health And Vaccination

No vaccinations are required for Vietnam. However, we advise you to be up to date with your vaccinations, such as DT-Polio, typhoid, hepatitis A and B.

For rabies and Japanese encephalitis, vaccines are recommended for rural stays longer than one month.

In Vietnam, the risk of contracting malaria is very low in cities. There is no malaria in major cities, nor in tourist coastal cities. This includes areas that are part of typical tours, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, the coast, passing through Hue and Ha Long Bay as well as the Red River Delta. Malaria-affected regions are primarily Kon Tum, Gia Lai, and Dak Lak, as well as the Bac Lieu and Ca Mau provinces further south. Malaria treatment is only necessary if you go on mountain treks with homestays.

Dengue is present and precautions should be taken throughout the country. This disease is a viral infection transmitted to humans by the bites of infected mosquitoes. In severe cases, dengue can be fatal, so it is highly recommended to consult a doctor if you have a fever.

For rural areas, it is wise to plan for malaria treatment and to carry repellent lotions while taking preventive measures against mosquito bites: using repellents, wearing covering clothing, and using mosquito nets (effective prevention against diseases transmitted by insects, particularly dengue and Japanese encephalitis).

Here is the internet link to the Pasteur Institute, which might be useful on the subject: Institut Pasteur Vaccinations and Travel Medicine.

For more information, you can consult the World Health Organization's website: WHO Dengue Information.

You can also consult the site of the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ) in French: INSPQ Travel Health Guide.

Tap water in Vietnam is not drinkable. It is recommended to consume bottled water. If not available, filter and boil the water before drinking. It is also advised to avoid putting ice cubes in drinks consumed in bars and restaurants.

The temperature in Vietnam can rise sharply. Sunburn, heatstroke, and dehydration are major issues for people newly arrived in Vietnam. Always apply sunscreen with a high UV index, wear hats, and drink plenty of water.

Pharmacies in Vietnam are well represented in communes as well as in major cities, hospitals, and clinics. They are usually located in shopping streets. There are some reliable pharmacy chains such as Long Chau, Pharmacity, An Khanh, and the pharmacies of hospitals and clinics. You can find almost all necessary medicines in Vietnam. It is easy and simple to buy medicines without a prescription in Vietnam.

For people undergoing regular medical treatment, we also advise bringing your prescription and doctor's note (product name, dosage) to have the scientific name of the active substance: this will make it easier for Vietnamese pharmacists to identify what you need.