Vaccinations in Vietnam

Prevention is always better than cure. It is recommended that you acquire the basic vaccinations before the date of your departure for Vietnam. Ideally, one should see a healthcare provider at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to Vietnam to allow the vaccines to take full effect. One can also start taking medicines against the dreaded malaria that has beleaguered the country. Malaria is a serious disease and can even be fatal with just a bite of a mosquito.

Getting the basic immunizations should include measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) and poliovirus. It is also recommended for all travelers to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid and Japanese Encephalitis. For those that have been vaccinated, boosters should be updated. For those arriving from a Yellow Fever-stricken country, a vaccination certificate is required.

Flu vaccinations for the pandemic (H1N1) in 2009 are now widely available. It is best that you take preventive measures to avoid becoming infected with the diseases existing in Vietnam.

Getting comprehensive private health insurance is also strongly recommended so as to avoid emergency medical costs that are much more expensive than the insurance premium. Consulting with a travel doctor as to what vaccinations should be taken would also be very helpful.