Vietnam

At a Glance

From the buzzing streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to the serene waters of the Mekong Delta and the misty limestone towers of UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay, Vietnam is a vibrant tapestry of culture, cuisine, and contrasts. Travelers should guard against mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis, particularly in rural and tropical regions where the climate invites year-round mosquito activity. Tap water isn’t safe to drink, and extra care is needed when sampling Vietnam’s legendary street food — stick to stalls bustling with locals and freshly cooked, steaming dishes. Motorbikes weave through the cities in dizzying numbers, offering both adventure and risk, so smart precautions are essential. A well-stocked travel health kit, thoughtful food and water choices, vigilant insect protection, and an awareness of environmental hazards will help ensure your journey through Vietnam is not only memorable, but safe and full of discovery.

Buzzing cities and calm bays—Vietnam blends it all. Watch for air pollution in urban hubs and keep safe hydration and food hygiene top of mind.

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Go-to travel health essentials — practical, proven, and always packed.

🦟 Mosquito Protection
Use a strong repellent with 30–50% DEET, and pack an anti-itch cream. Lightweight, long-sleeved clothing helps deter bites. For jungle trekking or rural stays, consider permethrin-treated clothing and mosquito nets.

💩 Tummy Troubles Toolkit
Bring loperamide, oral rehydration salts (ORS), and a basic antacid. Vietnam’s street food is a highlight, but rich spices, new ingredients, and varying hygiene can trigger stomach upsets. A short course of azithromycin is useful for moderate travellers’ diarrhoea.

☀️ Sun & Skin Care
Apply a high-SPF sunscreen (50+), SPF lip balm, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser (60–70%). Choose non-perfumed, quick-dry products to suit Vietnam’s humidity and reduce skin irritation or insect attraction.

🩹 First Aid & Important Documents
Carry a small first aid kit, a medical summary, copies of prescriptions, and your travel insurance details. Keep digital copies safe online. Basic wound care items (antiseptic wipes, plasters) are useful for minor injuries.

💊 Comfort & Care
Pack paracetamol or ibuprofen for aches and fevers, an antihistamine for bites or allergies, and cold and flu medication. Air conditioning, long travel days, and humidity can strain your immune system.

🔥 Extra Tip
Stock up on supplies in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City before heading to remote areas like Ha Giang or Sapa. Rural pharmacies may have limited options. Electrolyte tablets are essential for coping with heat and physical exertion.

Prep Well. Travel Well. Know the Risks.

Small Bites, Big Risks

Mosquitoes: Not Just a Nuisance
Dengue is endemic in Vietnam, with year-round transmission and a seasonal peak during the rainy months (May to October). Japanese encephalitis (JE) is also widespread—especially in rural and northern areas—while Zika virus is present but currently considered low risk.

Malaria risk exists in some rural and forested provinces near the Laos and Cambodia borders, but it is not a concern in major cities or popular tourist spots like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, or Ha Long Bay. Travelers to remote areas should seek pre-travel advice on whether malaria tablets are needed.

Precautions: Use DEET-based repellent, wear light long sleeves, sleep under nets in rural areas, and avoid dusk-to-dawn exposure when mosquito activity is highest.

Rabies risk

Dog bites are the leading cause of rabies in Vietnam, with approximately 75 deaths reported annually. While rabies vaccination for domestic dogs is mandatory under Vietnamese law, enforcement and coverage can vary, particularly in rural areas. Monkey bites and scratches also pose a risk, especially around temples and in national parks.

Tip: Avoid patting or feeding animals—even those that appear tame. Pre-travel rabies vaccination is recommended for long-term visitors, outdoor adventurers, and individuals working with animals. Access to post-exposure rabies treatment may be limited outside major cities.

Eat Adventurously, Not Regretfully

Vietnam is famous for its vibrant food culture, from steaming bowls of pho to fresh herb-laden bun cha and sizzling banh xeo. Eating adventurously can be one of the most rewarding parts of your trip—but it’s important to be mindful of food and water safety.

Tap water in Vietnam is not safe to drink, and this extends to ice, which may be made from untreated water in some areas. Stick to sealed bottled water, or water that has been properly boiled. In cities, commercially produced ice (often cylindrical with a hole) is generally safe, but caution is still advised in rural areas.

When choosing food, go for hot, freshly cooked dishes served at busy stalls or restaurants with a high turnover—this usually indicates better hygiene and food safety. Avoid raw salads, leafy greens, or herbs that may have been washed in unclean water, as well as unpeeled fruits you haven’t prepared yourself. Fruits with thick skins, like bananas, mangoes, and dragon fruit, are safer options if peeled by the traveler.

Be cautious with Western-style dishes, especially those that include creamy sauces, mayonnaise, cheese, or cold cuts, as refrigeration may be unreliable. While Vietnamese cuisine features lots of fresh ingredients, it also emphasizes cooking on the spot—an advantage for food safety.

Safe local choices include pho bo (beef noodle soup), com tam (broken rice with grilled pork), goi cuon (fresh spring rolls, if you're confident in the source), and banh mi from popular vendors. When in doubt, trust your instincts—and your nose.

Beyond the Basics: Unique Health Risks

Every destination has its own surprises. Here are the health risks that don’t always make it into standard travel advice—but are important to know before you go.

Heat Rash (Prickly Heat)

What it is:
Heat rash, also called prickly heat (miliaria), happens when sweat gets trapped under the skin instead of evaporating properly. It's very common in hot, humid climates like Vietnam—especially for travellers still adjusting to the tropical heat.

Symptoms:

Small red bumps, tiny blisters, or an itchy "prickly" feeling
Often forms under clothing, around skin folds, under backpacks, or between the thighs—particularly when wearing dresses or loose clothing that still traps sweat
Can flare up quickly after sightseeing, hiking, tuk-tuk rides, or just a sweaty walk through town

Why it matters:
Heat rash isn’t dangerous, but it’s very uncomfortable. It can turn a day of exploring into a miserable experience—and if scratched too much, it can lead to skin infections. Managing heat rash early helps keep you comfortable and avoids bigger issues later.

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When it doesn't go to plan

While Vietnam's major cities offer increasingly modern healthcare options, the quality of medical care can vary significantly depending on where you are. Private hospitals and international clinics in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City generally provide good quality care, particularly for minor illnesses and injuries. Facilities outside these major centers, however, may be limited in both resources and medical expertise.

For complex medical conditions, serious injuries, or surgical needs, medical evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore is often recommended, and travelers should ensure they have travel insurance that covers evacuation services.

Trusted medical facilities for travelers include the Hanoi French Hospital, Family Medical Practice (with branches in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City), and FV Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. These centers usually have English-speaking staff, access to diagnostic testing, and arrangements for emergency evacuation if necessary.

Pharmacies are widespread across Vietnam, and in urban areas, you can often find international pharmacy chains that offer a good range of medicines. However, counterfeit medications remain a recognized problem, particularly in smaller, independent pharmacies.

Travelers are advised to purchase any needed medications from reputable or expat-oriented pharmacies whenever possible.

Before you go

Before travelling to Vietnam, it’s important to ensure that your vaccinations are up to date. Some vaccines are required for certain types of travel, while others are strongly recommended for your protection—particularly if you’re visiting rural areas, staying for longer periods, or engaging in outdoor activities.

Essential Routine Vaccines
All travellers should be up to date with the following before departure:
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
• Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (Tdap)
• Polio
• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Influenza (seasonal flu)
• COVID-19 (including booster doses if eligible)
Infants aged 6–11 months may be advised to receive an early dose of MMR or Hepatitis A before travel. This dose does not replace the standard childhood schedule but offers additional protection during the trip.

Recommended Travel Vaccines
These vaccines are strongly recommended for most travellers to Vietnam, particularly if you’re planning to eat local food, travel outside major cities, or stay for an extended time:
Hepatitis A – Commonly spread through contaminated food and water.
Hepatitis B – A risk through blood, medical procedures, and sexual contact.
Typhoid – Food and waterborne disease risk, especially in smaller towns and rural areas.
Rabies – Recommended for travellers spending extended time outdoors, working with animals, or visiting areas where dog and monkey bites are more common.
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) – Endemic in Vietnam; vaccination is recommended for travellers spending a month or more in rural areas, travelling during the wet season, or doing lots of outdoor activities.
Cholera – May be considered for humanitarian workers or long-term travellers to areas with poor sanitation.
Malaria – No vaccine is available, but malaria tablets may be advised for those visiting remote rural or forested areas. Your doctor can recommend the best option based on your itinerary.

Yellow Fever – Entry Requirement
Vietnam does not have yellow fever. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is present, including after long stopovers or airport transits in those regions.

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Traffic Trouble: More Than Just a Travel Inconvenience

Traffic & Road Safety

Traffic in Vietnam can be overwhelming, even for experienced travellers. In cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the roads are packed with cars, scooters, bicycles, and pedestrians all moving at once, often without clear lanes or predictable patterns. Crossing the street requires confidence and a steady pace—walk slowly but continuously, and allow scooters and cars to move around you, much like a school of fish parting and regrouping. Avoid sudden stops or direction changes when crossing.

While motorbikes are a popular mode of transport, travellers are strongly advised not to use motorbike taxis booked through apps like Grab, unless they are experienced riders themselves and have appropriate insurance coverage. Accidents involving motorcycles are common, and helmet standards can be unreliable. Instead, book a car through reputable apps like Grab or through your accommodation, and always wear a seatbelt when available.

Weather

Typhoon season (particularly August–October) can severely affect coastal areas, so travellers should monitor weather advisories during these months.

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Travel Well Extras

Leptospirosis & Melioidosis
Both leptospirosis and melioidosis are present in Vietnam, particularly during the rainy season when flooding is common. Leptospirosis is spread through contact with water or soil contaminated by animal urine, and melioidosis is caused by bacteria found in wet soils. Travellers engaging in farming, trekking, or outdoor adventure activities are at higher risk, particularly those with diabetes or chronic illnesses.

Chikungunya
Chikungunya virus, spread by Aedes mosquitoes (the same species that transmit dengue and Zika), has been detected in Vietnam, although cases are relatively rare. Symptoms include high fever, severe joint pain, and rash. There is no vaccine; the best protection is strict mosquito bite prevention, particularly during the day.

Schistosomiasis
Unlike in neighbouring countries such as Laos and Cambodia, schistosomiasis is not considered a risk in Vietnam. However, freshwater exposures still carry other risks such as leptospirosis and melioidosis.

Practical Advice:
Avoid wading, swimming, or bathing in rivers, lakes, rice paddies, or floodwaters, especially during the wet season. Wear waterproof boots when trekking through wet or muddy areas, and clean any cuts or abrasions promptly with antiseptic.