Vietnam Health and Vaccinations: Complete 2026 Travel Health Guide

Vietnam is a generally healthy destination to travel in, but preparation matters. The main risks are vaccine-preventable diseases, mosquito-borne illness (particularly dengue), food and water-related infections, and motorbike accidents - which account for the majority of serious injuries among travellers. This guide covers what you need to do before you leave, what to watch for on the ground, and who to call if something goes wrong.

Start with a travel health clinic appointment 6–8 weeks before departure so vaccines requiring multiple doses have time to complete.

---

Recommended vaccinations

No vaccination is legally required to enter Vietnam. The following are standard medical recommendations for most travellers:

Routine vaccines - ensure these are current

• Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Td/Tdap) - check your last booster date
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• Varicella (chickenpox) - if no prior exposure or vaccination
• Influenza - annual shot, especially if travelling in the November–March period

Recommended for Vietnam specifically

Hepatitis A - transmitted via contaminated food and water. Recommended for all travellers without prior immunity. Street food and ice are common transmission routes in lower-income food settings. Two doses provide protection lasting 20+ years.

Hepatitis B - transmitted via blood and body fluids. Recommended for anyone with potential exposure through medical treatment, dental work, tattooing, sexual contact, or adventure activities with injury risk. A three-dose course is standard; an accelerated two-dose schedule exists for last-minute travellers.

Typhoid - food and water transmission, similar to hepatitis A. Risk is higher on longer trips, in rural areas, and for those eating extensively from local stalls. Vaccine is either oral (3–4 capsules over alternate days) or a single injection.

Japanese encephalitis - a mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted in rural rice-growing areas, particularly after dark. Risk is low on short city-focused itineraries but meaningful for those spending a month or more in rural or highland Vietnam, or making repeated visits. Two doses are required for full protection.

Considered based on itinerary

Rabies (pre-exposure) - recommended if you’ll be handling animals (dogs, bats, wildlife) or doing extensive rural travel far from medical care. Vietnam has rabies in animal populations. Pre-exposure treatment simplifies post-bite management by removing the need for rabies immunoglobulin (RIG), which is not reliably available at provincial hospitals. Three doses over 21–28 days are required before exposure.

Cholera - risk for travellers is low. Considered for those doing extensive rural aid or humanitarian work or travelling to remote areas during outbreak periods.

---

Mosquito-borne diseases

Dengue fever

Dengue is the most significant mosquito-borne risk for travellers in Vietnam. It is present across the entire country, year-round, but the burden is heaviest in:

• Southern Vietnam (HCMC, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc): Peak risk May–November, coinciding with the wet season. Transmission continues at lower levels in the dry season.
• Central and northern Vietnam: Lower incidence overall, though outbreaks occur.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito that transmits dengue bites primarily during daylight hours - standard malaria prevention (bed nets at night) does not protect against dengue. Use a DEET-based repellent at 30–50% concentration on all exposed skin throughout the day. Reapply every 4–6 hours and after swimming or heavy sweating.

Dengue symptoms: sudden high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash appearing 2–5 days after fever onset. Seek medical attention promptly if you develop these symptoms - some dengue strains cause severe disease including haemorrhagic complications.

There is no prophylaxis for dengue. A vaccine (Dengvaxia) exists but is indicated only for people with confirmed prior dengue infection; it is not used as general travel prophylaxis.

Malaria

Malaria risk in Vietnam is low for most travellers. The main risk zones are:

• Forested highlands in the southern border provinces (Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Binh Phuoc) near Cambodia
• Some remote areas in the far north near the Myanmar border

Standard tourist itinerary (Hanoi, HCMC, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Sa Pa town, Da Lat): Negligible malaria risk. Prophylaxis is not typically recommended.

If your itinerary includes remote highland border trekking, consult a travel health specialist. Doxycycline or Malarone are the usual options. DEET repellent and long-sleeved clothing at dusk are appropriate for all highland areas regardless.

Other mosquito-borne diseases

Zika virus has been detected in Vietnam but at low levels. Pregnant travellers or those planning pregnancy should consult their GP before travel.

---

Food and water safety

Tap water: Do not drink tap water anywhere in Vietnam - Hanoi, HCMC, or any city. The water supply infrastructure does not reliably treat water to safe drinking standards. Use bottled water (1.5L bottles cost approximately 5,000–15,000 VND / under $1 as of 2026) or filtered refill stations at many guesthouses. A filtered water bottle (LifeStraw or Sawyer) is useful for longer trekking trips.

Ice: In urban restaurants, hotels, and tourist areas, ice is produced commercially from purified water and is generally safe. In very rural or remote settings, this is less reliable - request drinks without ice if in doubt.

Street food: Generally safe if freshly cooked, piping hot, and served from a busy stall. Risk indicators: meat sitting out in heat without refrigeration, low customer turnover, food that has clearly been standing. Choose stalls where food is cooked to order in front of you.

Raw vegetables and fruit: High-risk items if washed in tap water. Peeled fruit is safe. Salads at tourist restaurants are usually washed in purified water, but this isn’t guaranteed at very local establishments.

Traveller’s diarrhoea: Extremely common, especially in the first 5–7 days. Carry oral rehydration salts (ORS) and loperamide. If diarrhoea is accompanied by high fever, blood, or lasts more than 48–72 hours despite treatment, seek medical assessment. Some travellers carry a course of azithromycin or ciprofloxacin for severe cases - obtain a prescription from your GP before departure.

---

Medical facilities

Hanoi

Vinmec International Hospital (458 Minh Khai, Hai Ba Trung) - JCI-accredited, full range of specialist departments, 24-hour emergency, English-speaking staff throughout. One of the top hospitals in northern Vietnam.

Hanoi French Hospital (Hôpital Français de Hanoi, 1 Phuong Mai, Dong Da) - long-established international hospital with a strong reputation. French-Vietnamese management; English and French spoken. Good for complex cases requiring specialist referral.

Family Medical Practice Hanoi (298 Kim Ma, Ba Dinh) - GP clinic popular with expats and travellers for non-emergency consultations, vaccinations, and health checks. Walk-in availability during business hours.

Ho Chi Minh City

FV Hospital (6 Nguyen Luong Bang, Phu My Hung, District 7) - Joint Commission International accredited, widely regarded as the best international hospital in HCMC. Full emergency department, ICU, specialist clinics, medical evacuation coordination. English and French spoken throughout.

Vinmec Central Park (208 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh) - modern JCI-standard facility in central HCMC. Strong emergency and surgical departments.

Hoan My Hospital - a private hospital group with multiple HCMC locations and some English-speaking staff. A reasonable option for non-specialist treatment if FV or Vinmec are not convenient.

Family Medical Practice HCMC (Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, District 1) - GP and travel medicine consultations, minor procedures, vaccination clinic. Walk-in available.

Outside major cities

Da Nang, Hue, and Nha Trang have city hospitals with reasonable facilities and some English-speaking staff. International-standard care is limited.

In remote areas (Ha Giang, Con Dao, rural highlands), medical facilities are basic - primarily first aid and stabilisation. Anything serious requires evacuation to Hanoi or HCMC. Medical evacuation insurance is not optional for remote itineraries.

---

Emergency numbers

• Emergency (ambulance/fire/police): 113/114/115 - 115 is specifically the medical emergency number
• Hanoi French Hospital 24hr: +84 24 3577 1100
• FV Hospital HCMC 24hr: +84 28 5411 3333
• Vinmec Hanoi: +84 24 3974 3556

Save your travel insurance emergency assistance number in your phone before you leave - they coordinate evacuation, hospital deposits, and interpreter services.

---

Pharmacies

Pharmacies (nhà thuốc) are everywhere in Vietnamese cities - typically on every second or third block. Most stock:

• Oral rehydration salts, loperamide, antacids
• Paracetamol and ibuprofen
• Antihistamines (cetirizine, loratadine)
• DEET repellent and sunscreen
• Basic wound care (antiseptic, plasters)
• Common antibiotics (often sold without prescription - use only if appropriate)

Quality varies. Reputable pharmacy chains including Pharmacity and Long Chau are found throughout major cities and are generally reliable. Avoid purchasing prescription medications from unlicensed street vendors.

If you take regular prescription medication, bring enough supply for your entire trip plus a buffer - specific formulations may not be available in Vietnam.

---

Travel insurance

Travel insurance with medical coverage is essential for Vietnam. Key coverages to confirm:

• Medical evacuation and repatriation - major hospitals in Hanoi and HCMC are expensive; evacuation from remote areas costs thousands of dollars
• Hospital deposit guarantee - private hospitals require upfront payment or guarantee before treating non-emergency cases; your insurer’s assistance line handles this
• Adventure activity coverage - check whether motorbike riding (particularly renting your own) is excluded; many policies exclude it unless specifically declared

For a full comparison of travel insurance options, see our Vietnam travel insurance guide.

---

Motorbike safety

Motorbike accidents are the leading cause of serious injury for travellers in Vietnam. If renting or riding a motorbike:

• Wear a full-face helmet - local vendors offer basic open-face helmets but they provide minimal protection in a serious crash
• Ride at slower speeds than you would at home - road conditions, traffic behaviour, and pothole frequency are different
• Know your limits: the Ha Giang Loop and Hai Van Pass are beautiful but technically demanding - inexperienced riders are injured there regularly

For practical considerations around self-drive travel, our getting around Vietnam guide covers what to expect on Vietnamese roads.

---

See also

• Vietnam travel insurance - what to look for in your policy
• Is Vietnam safe? - full safety overview beyond health
• Getting around Vietnam - transport options and road safety
• Vietnam visa guide - pre-trip admin checklist

---

Plan Your Trip

✈️ Book your flights to Vietnam 🛡️ Get travel insurance 📱 Stay connected with an eSIM 🚗 Rent a car