Vietnam
🏛️ Capital: Hanoi
👥 Population: 101 million
💬 Language: Vietnamese
💰 Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND)
✈️ Reasons to travel: Halong Bay, street food, rice terraces, ancient towns, vibrant cities
📈 High Season: December to March, July to September
📉 Low Season: April to June, September to November
☀️ The warmest month: June
❄️ The coldest month: January
🌧 The rainiest month: August
Safety
Travelers should check government safety advisories before any trip to avoid dangerous situations. These sources offer reliable updates on security risks, health alerts, and local laws.
Check out the travel advisory from at least one of these government websites:
Average safety level:
Exercise normal precautions.
Try our travel preparation app for free, and get an overview of safety, entry requirements, local laws, contacts for hospitals, and more.
Health
Sanitation and drinking water:
Score: 54/100
Rank: 90th/180
These are based on indicators such as types of facilities and sewage systems in households, water sources, water treatments, etc. The higher the score the safer the drinking water and sanitation (based on the Environmental Performance Index from Yale University).
A lower score may suggest a higher risk of food-borne illnesses like traveler’s diarrhea.
Vaccine-preventable infectious diseases in Vietnam:
- Chikungunya
- Dengue fever
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Japanese encephalitis
- Meningococcal meningitis
- Rabies
- Tuberculosis
- Typhoid fever
Infectious diseases in Vietnam with no vaccine currently available:
- Cutaneous larva migrans
- Malaria
- Scrub typhus
- Zika
Yellow fever certificate requirements:
No certificate required.
Would you like to learn more about Vietnam?
Use our app to find important information about relevant vaccines, what medication to pack, and how to address risks at your destination, so you can enjoy your travel to the fullest.
We’ve connected data from hundreds of scientific publications with the most recent recommendations from the world’s top authorities, including the WHO, the American CDC, and the UK’s NHS, to help you get the best preparation for the trip possible.
Try MyGlobdoc now! Vietnam is already available there.
Vietnam FAQ
Is it safe to travel to Vietnam in terms of health risks?
Yes, Vietnam is generally safe for travelers, but certain health risks depend on the region and season. Common concerns include mosquito-borne illnesses, foodborne diseases, and limited access to advanced medical care in rural areas. Preventive steps such as vaccinations, good hygiene, and insect protection can help you stay healthy.
What vaccinations do I need before traveling to Vietnam?
Recommended vaccines for Vietnam include hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus. Depending on your travel plans, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, and rabies may also be advised. MyGlobdoc can create a personalized vaccination guide based on your itinerary, planned activities, and medical history.
Are there any common diseases in Vietnam that travelers should know about?
Yes. Travelers to Vietnam should be aware of dengue fever, typhoid, hepatitis A, and traveler’s diarrhea. In certain rural areas, Japanese encephalitis and malaria are also present. Understanding these risks allows you to prepare with targeted prevention strategies.
How can I avoid food poisoning or traveler’s diarrhea in Vietnam?
Choose food from clean, busy street vendors or reputable restaurants. Avoid raw or undercooked meats, unpeeled fruits, and unpasteurized drinks. Drink only bottled or boiled water, and avoid ice unless you know it’s made from purified water.
Is malaria a risk in Vietnam, and do I need anti-malarial pills?
Malaria is present in some rural and forested parts of Vietnam, especially in central and southern provinces. Major cities and popular tourist areas like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Ha Long Bay are malaria-free. MyGlobdoc can assess your travel route to determine if anti-malarial medication is necessary.
What mosquito-borne illnesses are present in Vietnam?
Mosquito-borne illnesses in Vietnam include dengue fever, malaria (in certain areas), Japanese encephalitis, chikungunya, and Zika virus. These are more common during the rainy season. Use insect repellent with DEET, wear long-sleeved clothing, and sleep under mosquito nets in high-risk regions.
Do I need travel health insurance for Vietnam?
Yes, travel health insurance is highly recommended. While major cities have good private hospitals, rural facilities can be basic, and serious cases may require medical evacuation. Insurance ensures you have access to quality care without unexpected costs.
What should be in a travel medical kit for Vietnam?
Include oral rehydration salts, anti-diarrheal medication, insect repellent, sunscreen, adhesive bandages, pain relievers, and prescription medicines. If traveling to rural areas, bring a basic first aid kit and a water purification method (filter, chemical purification). MyGlobdoc can provide a customized packing checklist based on your itinerary.
How can I stay healthy while backpacking through Vietnam?
Stay hydrated, avoid heat exhaustion, and pace your travel days to prevent fatigue. Eat at clean food stalls or restaurants, protect yourself from mosquitoes, and wash your hands regularly. Keep vaccinations up to date and carry a small medical kit for common issues.
Is Vietnam safe for pregnant travelers or travelers with chronic illness?
Yes, with careful planning. Pregnant travelers should avoid areas with Zika and malaria risk and take mosquito bite prevention seriously. Those with chronic health issues should bring enough medication, a doctor’s letter, and confirm that their travel insurance covers pre-existing conditions.
What should I do if I get sick in Vietnam?
Seek treatment at reputable hospitals or clinics in major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Nang. For minor ailments, pharmacies are widely available, but serious cases should be handled in private hospitals. Keep insurance documents and emergency contacts accessible.
What travel health documents or certificates are required for Vietnam?
Travelers currently do not need any special health documents or vaccination certificates to enter Vietnam. Always check the latest entry and health requirements before your trip.
Sources
Map generated with https://www.mapchart.net/index.html
Orthographic map By Anewplayer – Own work The map has been created with the Generic Mapping Tools: https://www.generic-mapping-tools.org/ using one or more of these public-domain datasets for the relief:ETOPO2 (topography/bathymetry): http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/global/global.htmlGLOBE (topography): http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/topo/gltiles.htmlSRTM (topography): http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/srtm/ CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=92795791 / edited in Canva
Travel safety map obtained under the latest Creative Commons Attribution licence from https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/vietnam
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
https://datatopics.worldbank.org/world-development-indicators/
Block, S., Emerson, J. W., Esty, D. C., de Sherbinin, A., Wendling, Z. A., et al. (2024). 2024 Environmental Performance Index. New Haven, CT: Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy. https://epi.yale.edu
Disclaimer:
The information provided on this page is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any health problem. The use or reliance on any information provided on this page is solely at your own risk.
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