November 15, 2019
Travel guide Vietnam e-visa Visa On Arrival

Health Information and Vaccines for Travel to Vietnam

Are you looking for information about vaccines to travel Vietnam? If so, then you’ve come to the right place! Here, we’re taking a look at some of the different types of vaccines that one must take before traveling to Vietnam. We’ll also address your question on whether or not vaccination is necessary for your trip to the country.

Is Vaccination Necessary for your Travel to Vietnam?

First of all, getting a vaccination for your trip to Vietnam is not compulsory. However, to ensure your safety, it’s highly recommended that you check with your doctor about any recommended vaccines to travel Vietnam.

In some countries, they would require their citizens to get a vaccination before traveling to Asian countries, including Vietnam. So if you came from a country that would require this, then you better get the necessary vaccination before flying to Vietnam.

But if your country will not require any vaccination, then you don’t really need to get a vaccine. But other than the vaccine, there are several other things that you may need to accomplish for your Vietnam trip. The most important is the visa. Thankfully, getting a visa to Vietnam is now very easy. In fact, you can apply for this visa online by choosing the Vietnam e-visa option.

What Type of Vaccine Is Recommended for Vietnam

Even though the government of Vietnam will not require any foreign national to get a vaccination to enter the country, travelers are encouraged as protection against certain illnesses. Below are some of the recommended vaccines to travel Vietnam:

  • Hepatitis A – whether you’re going to Vietnam or other Asian countries, a Hepatitis A vaccine would be useful especially if you’re fond of eating street foods. The virus tends to spread on contaminated water and food so getting vaccinated will keep you protected from this deadly virus.
  • Hepatitis B – this is a virus that gets transmitted through bodily fluids and blood. Getting this vaccine can make your travel to Vietnam safer.
  • Typhoid – there are rare instances that foreign travelers acquire typhoid on their travel to Vietnam. This can be passed on through contaminated water or food. Therefore, consider getting a vaccine for typhoid to protect you from this illness.
  • Japanese Encephalitis – depending on the time or season that you visit Vietnam, this vaccine may be recommended. If you’re going to spend most of your time outdoors, especially in the rural areas of Vietnam, it is highly recommended getting this vaccine. It’s because you could possibly acquire this disease by means of a mosquito bite.
  • Rabies – there are plenty of stray dogs and cats in Vietnam, so you may need to get rabies vaccines to travel Vietnam. Rabies will not only be passed on to you through a bite but also through saliva. So if you are fond of petting stray animals, you better get a rabies vaccine to be sure.

You can take some of these vaccinations in the form of a pill although most of them are injectable. It is important to get these vaccines from a licensed medical professional. In some other countries around the world, such as in the Netherlands and Spain, they have International Vaccination Centers where you can get any of these vaccines to travel Vietnam.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States strongly advises travelers who plan on visiting Vietnam and other countries to acquire certain vaccinations. These include the diphtheria-tetanus vaccine, varicella vaccine for chickenpox, and polio vaccine. Check with your doctor on how you can get these vaccinations.

Staying Safe on your Trip to Vietnam

Vietnam is a totally safe country to visit. But to avoid getting sick, here are some of the things that you can do:

  • Be mindful of the food and water – Vietnam is known for its delicious food. But before you eat anything, make sure that it’s clean and safe. As for water, always drink from sealed bottled water only.
  • Avoid animals – even if that dog or cat you saw on the street is too cute, try not to touch or pet it. As mentioned above, rabies could be spread through the pet’s saliva.
  • Apply insect repellent – when visiting the outdoors, apply mosquito repellent to prevent bites
  • Minimize exposure to germs – wash your hands often and carry hand sanitizers. Make sure your hands are clean before you handle any food and eat.

Before you fly to Vietnam, it’s a good idea to get travel insurance that could cover any hospitalization costs and medication, if necessary. Also, find out where the nearest hospital is in the place you are staying.

Aside from getting vaccines to travel Vietnam, make sure you also apply for your Vietnam visa in advance to avoid any issues when trying to enter the country.

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Vietnam is one of the most popular vacationing destinations for tourists. With its rich cultural heritage and scenic and exotic attractions- the country is a delight to the senses.