The Vietnam Guides

Vietnam Health and Vaccinations 2026: What You Need Before You Go

· 3 min read Practical
Vietnam

Contents

  1. Recommended vaccinations
  2. Malaria
  3. Food and water safety
  4. Medical facilities
  5. Travel health kit

Vietnam is a generally safe destination for health. The main risks are food and water-related illness, mosquito-borne diseases in some areas, and motorbike accidents (the leading cause of serious injury for travellers). See a travel health clinic 6–8 weeks before departure for personalised vaccination advice.

The following are typically recommended for Vietnam — verify with your own travel health provider:

Routine vaccinations (ensure up to date):

  • Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Td/Tdap)
  • Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
  • Varicella (chickenpox)
  • Influenza (annual)

Recommended for Vietnam:

  • Hepatitis A: Food and water transmission. Recommended for all travellers.
  • Hepatitis B: Blood and body fluid transmission. Recommended if doing activities with injury risk or longer stays.
  • Typhoid: Food and water transmission. Recommended, especially for longer stays and those eating street food extensively.
  • Japanese Encephalitis: Mosquito-borne, transmitted in rural areas. Recommended for extended rural stays (1 month+), trekking in the highlands, or multiple trips.

Considered based on itinerary:

  • Rabies: If spending significant time in rural areas, handling animals, or doing outdoor activities. Bats and dogs are the main risk vectors in Vietnam.
  • Cholera: Generally low risk for travellers; consider for those doing extensive rural travel.

Malaria

Malaria risk in Vietnam is low for most travellers. The main risk areas are the forested highland border zones (particularly near the Cambodian border in southern provinces, and some areas of the far north near Myanmar).

Standard tourist itinerary (cities, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Phu Quoc, Da Lat, HCMC): Malaria risk is negligible. Prophylaxis is not typically recommended.

Extended rural highland travel or border areas: Consult a travel health clinic. Preventive measures (DEET repellent, long-sleeved clothing at dusk) are appropriate regardless.

Dengue fever is present throughout Vietnam and cannot be prevented by prophylaxis — use insect repellent (DEET 30%+ or picaridin) particularly in the wet season and in urban areas.

Food and water safety

Tap water: Do not drink tap water anywhere in Vietnam. Use bottled water (ubiquitous and cheap — ₫5,000–15,000 / $0.20–0.60 per 1.5L bottle) or refillable filtered water from accommodations.

Street food: Generally safe if freshly cooked and busy. Risk indicators: meat sitting in the sun, low turnover. Busy, steaming-hot street food stalls are reliable.

Ice: Ice in most cities and tourist areas uses commercial purified water. Ice in very remote rural areas is more variable.

Traveller’s diarrhoea: Common in the first week of travel as your gut adjusts. Carry oral rehydration salts. Loperamide for symptomatic management. If accompanied by fever or blood, seek medical attention.

Medical facilities

HCMC and Hanoi: International-standard hospitals (Family Medical Practice, Vinmec, Hoan My). English-speaking staff available. Adequate for most medical situations.

Da Nang, Hue, Nha Trang: City hospitals with reasonable facilities. International clinics in tourist areas.

Remote areas (Ha Giang, Con Dao, rural highlands): Basic medical facilities only. Serious injuries or illness require evacuation. Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is essential.

Travel health kit

Minimum kit for Vietnam:

  • Oral rehydration salts (ORS)
  • Loperamide (Imodium)
  • Antihistamine (for insect reactions and minor allergies)
  • Pain relief (ibuprofen or paracetamol)
  • DEET repellent (30–50% concentration)
  • Antiseptic cream or wipes
  • Sunscreen (SPF 30+ minimum — UV is intense, particularly in the central and south)
  • Prescription antibiotics for traveller’s diarrhoea (azithromycin or ciprofloxacin) — obtain from your GP before travel

Pharmacies (nha thuoc) in Vietnam carry most of the above locally if you need to restock.