Vietnam Travel Requirements & Vaccinations

Vietnam is a country in southern Asia on the Indochina Peninsula that, in recent years, has become one of the fastest growing tourist destinations. Officially known as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, it is bordered by China to the north and Thailand to the southwest. Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam with French being the most commonly spoken second language. English is gaining popularity but is not yet widely used.

Due to marked variety in the terrain of Vietnam, the climate can vary greatly based on location. Temperatures tend to be higher in the plains and cooler in the mountainous regions and plateaus. During the winter season – November through April – monsoon winds usually blow from the northeast, picking up considerable moisture. The country is also affected by tropical depressions, tropical storms and typhoons. Vietnam has a uniquely high level of biological diversity and is home to approximately 840 different species of birds and 310 species of mammals.

Some popular tourist destinations include:

• Ho Chi Minh City
• Hanoi, the capital city
• Ha Long Bay
• Nha Trang, a popular beach destination with a tropical climate

Recommended Vaccinations for Vietnam Travel

• Hepatitis A
• Japanese encephalitis
• Meningitis
• Rabies*

*Rabies vaccination is typically only recommended for very high risk travelers given that it is completely preventable if medical attention is received within 7 – 10 days of an animal bite.

Travelers may also be advised to ensure they have received the routine vaccinations listed below. Some adults may need to receive a booster for some of these diseases:

• Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)
• Chickenpox
• Polio
• Influenza

Older adults or those with certain medical conditions may also want to ask about being vaccinated for shingles and/or pneumonia.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a travel medicine professional. Not all of the vaccines listed here will be necessary for every individual.

Talk to the experts at UH Roe Green Center for Travel Medicine & Global Health to determine how each member of your family can obtain maximum protection against illness, disease and injury while traveling, based on age, health, medical history and travel itinerary.