Travel Vaccines and Advice for Vietnam
Vietnam has become a popular tourist destination.
Visitors looking to be swept away by gorgeous landscape will be can see jungles, caves, grottoes, and immense limestone pillars. Those looking to explore new flavors and foods will be thrilled with the cheap and delicious street food.
Even those looking to experience a new culture will be able to indulge in Vietnam’s unique blend of Confucianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Southern Chinese, and French influences.
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for Vietnam?
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Vietnam?
What is the Climate Like in Vietnam?
How Safe is Vietnam?
Visiting the Củ Chi Tunnels
What Should I Take To Vietnam?
Canadian Embassy in Vietnam
Do I Need Vaccines for Vietnam?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Vietnam. The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Vietnam: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travellers - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Accelerated schedule available - Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. - Japanese Encephalitis –
Mosquito –
Recommended depending on itinerary and activities. May be given to short- and extended-stay travellers, recurrent travellers and travel to rural areas. Present throughout country, especially northern regions. Most cases from May to October. - Rabies –
Saliva of Infected Animals –
High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. - Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
Various Vectors –
Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. - TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
Wounds & Airborne –
Only one adult booster of pertussis required. - Chickenpox –
Direct Contact & Airborne –
Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. - Shingles –
Direct Contact –
Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. - Pneumonia –
Airborne –
Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. - Influenza –
Airborne –
Vaccine components change annually. - Meningitis –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. - Polio –
Food & Water –
Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended.
See the tables below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Vietnam |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travellers |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Accelerated schedule available |
| Typhoid | Food & Water | Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. |
| Japanese Encephalitis | Mosquito | Recommended depending on itinerary and activities. May be given to short- and extended-stay travellers, recurrent travellers and travel to rural areas. Present throughout country, especially northern regions. Most cases from May to October. |
| Rabies | Saliva of Infected Animals | High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. |
Routine Vaccinations for Vietnam |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) | Various Vectors | Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. |
| TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) | Wounds & Airborne | Only one adult booster of pertussis required. |
| Chickenpox | Direct Contact & Airborne | Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. |
| Shingles | Direct Contact | Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. |
| Pneumonia | Airborne | Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. |
| Influenza | Airborne | Vaccine components change annually. |
| Meningitis | Airborne & Direct Contact | Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. |
| Polio | Food & Water | Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended. |
Travellers should also take steps to avoid mosquito bites. Share your itinerary with a travel medicine specialist to see if there are other steps you can take to prevent malaria, including taking prescription medicine. Antimalarials are highly recommended when visiting rural areas.
Japanese encephalitis vaccination is recommended for many travellers going to Vietnam. The mosquito-borne virus is potentially deadly and poses a risk to all travellers.
See our vaccinations page to learn more about these infections and vaccines. Ready to protect yourself? Book your travel health appointment today by calling or schedule online now.
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for Vietnam
“For my first trip to Vietnam, I feel at ease with the information that was given during my appointment! Would definitely go again for future trips!”
“The nurse was excellent!! Knowledgeable, informative, efficient & not pushy!! I know my Vietnam trip will be safe.”
“Excellent and prompt service for my trip to Vietnam. Helpful and knowledgeable staff.”
“I used Passport Health’s services three times to cover my vaccinations for my trip to Vietnam. My first visit and third visit was amazing with Heather. She was informative, so kind, listened well, offered advice, and had a true bedside manner. I truly appreciated her support. She made me feel welcome and took great care of me, especially as I am prone to fainting.”
“I took my two girls and myself to get ready for a family trip to Vietnam. My youngest is very scared of needles. The nurse was great, she explained everything carefully, let us watch a video with travel tips we didn’t know about and was great while giving us the shots. There was still some tears but not that bad.”
“I met with the nurse to talk about my upcoming trip to Vietnam. She was very helpful, professional and informative and I felt confident in the advice she gave.”
“Just had the nurse go over thoroughly with me the health risks of travelling to Vietnam and was very candid and entertained my many questions. Very informative and not prudish at all!”
“Excellent prompt courteous service. The nurse was very knowledgeable as she explained all requirements for Vietnam to me. It was a real nice pleasure.”
“The nurse was extremely knowledgeable, informative and helpful with all the health requirements for our trip to Vietnam.”
“Very informative. The nurse had a list of all the vaccines available for my trip to Vietnam. She explained in detail the different health risks associated with the type of travelling I will be doing, as well as the preventive measures that can be taken to help minimize the chances of contracting a virus. A true professional! I highly recommend.”
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Vietnam?
All travellers to Vietnam must have a passport and visa for entry. Passports must be valid for at least six months past a traveller’s intended departure date from the country.
Vietnam Entry Requirements |
||
| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Vietnam? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
|
| Tourist Visa | |
|
| Business Visa | |
|
| Vaccinations | ||
Sources: Embassy of Vietnam and Canadian Travel and Tourism
Visit the Canadian Travel and Tourism website for more information on entry and exit requirements.
What is the Climate Like in Vietnam?
There are various climate zones within Vietnam. The far north experiences a dry season from October to March and a wet season from April to September. It can get particularly cold during December and January, but is otherwise pleasant.
In north Vietnam there are four distinct seasons: winter, where temperatures reach below 20.
In central Vietnam the weather is hot and dry from mid-January to late August. During the winter there is significant rainfall, occasionally typhoons, and much cooler temperatures.
In South Vietnam the temperatures are constant all year. There is a dry season from November to April and a wet season from May to November.
How Safe is Vietnam?
Crime does occur in Vietnam and the Overseas Security Advisory Council ranks Hanoi as medium in Overall Crime and Safety Situation.
Petty crime, such as pick-pocketing and theft occurs often. Travelling alone after dark is not recommended. Violent crime has been growing, mostly in urban areas.
Scams are common. Foreign travellers should be very careful, particularly when entering motorcycle taxis, as there are many fake ones.
Visiting the Củ Chi Tunnels
The Củ Chi tunnels are a huge network of underground tunnels located in Ho Chi Minh City. They are a small part of a network of tunnels that exist under most of Vietnam. The tunnels played a great importance during many wars and battles. The government of Vietnam has turned the Củ Chi tunnels into a war memorial park.
Visitors can crawl into the tunnels and see the various traps that soldiers rigged to protect themselves. One can even visit underground conference rooms where various military campaigns were planned. Above ground, visitors can see monkeys or visit a shooting range.
What Should I Take To Vietnam?
Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Indonesia:
- Money Belt – These are a great way to avoid pickpocketing while in Vietnam.
- Mosquito Repellent – Mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases are common in many parts of Vietnam. Make sure you’re protected from these bugs while travelling.
- Walking Shoes – Visitors can walk the streets to explore the street vendors or beautiful wildlife, making good shoes a must.
Canadian Embassy in Vietnam
When travelling it is very helpful to find out exactly where the Canadian Embassy or consulates are located. Keep the address written down in case you have a legal problem, you lose your passport, or you want to report a crime. Be sure to keep a copy of your passport with you in case you lose the original.
Canadian Embassy Hanoi – Consular Annex
31 Hung Vuong Street,
Hanoi, Vietnam
Telephone: 84 (4) 3734-5000
If you have any questions about travelling to Vietnam or are wondering what shots you may need for your trip, schedule an appointment by calling or book online today.
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