Vietnam Travel Vaccines

What Ottawa Travellers Need to Know Before They Go

Travel Health Overview — Vietnam

Vietnam is a popular destination for Canadian travellers — from the ancient streets of Hanoi to the beaches of Da Nang and the bustling energy of Ho Chi Minh City. It’s also a destination that carries meaningful health risks that require advance preparation.

Vietnam is classified as a developing, lower-middle-income country in Southeast Asia, with a humid tropical climate. Health risks include mosquito-borne diseases, food and waterborne illness, rabies from animal bites, and limited medical care outside major cities. Most risks are manageable with the right vaccines and precautions — booked well in advance of departure.

Recommended Vaccines for Vietnam

✅ All Travellers

Hepatitis A — High risk throughout the country, including in urban areas and tourist accommodations. Recommended for all travellers.
Typhoid Fever — High risk with widespread distribution. Recommended for all travellers, including those staying in hotels.
Influenza — Year-round risk with peak activity March–April and September–October. Recommended for all travellers.
COVID-19 — Recommended for all travellers aged 6 months and older. Stay current with booster recommendations.

⚠️ Most Travellers

Dengue — Significant risk in urban and rural areas, especially Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Highest activity April–September (north) and June–December (south). The Qdenga vaccine is recommended for travellers aged 4–60 years visiting risk areas. Insect precautions are essential.
Hepatitis B — Especially important for travellers with anticipated medical care, procedures, or extended stays. Included in routine vaccination schedules.

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🔵 Some Travellers
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Japanese Encephalitis — Risk in rural agricultural areas throughout the country, especially northern and northeastern provinces and peri-urban Hanoi. Recommended for stays of 1 month or longer, or for short-stay travellers going to rural areas with outdoor exposure. Not recommended for urban-only short stays.
Meningococcal (MenACWY) — Epidemic risk exists September–April, especially in northern and southern regions. Recommended for all travellers to these regions; consider for those with prolonged local contact elsewhere.
Rabies — Significant risk from dog bites throughout Vietnam. Pre-exposure vaccination recommended for: long-stay travellers and expats, young children, adventure travellers, hikers, cyclists, cavers, and anyone more than 24 hours from reliable post-exposure treatment. Consider for all risk-averse travellers.
Chikungunya — Risk at elevations below 2,300 m. Consider for travellers aged 12+ with stays of 6 months or longer. Insect precautions are important.

Malaria Risk in Vietnam

Malaria risk in Vietnam is highly location-specific:

No preventive measures needed: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and most major tourist cities. Most popular tourist itineraries fall into this category.
Insect precautions only (negligible transmission): Most coastal and central provinces, including Nha Trang, Hue, Da Lat, and Hoi An.
Chemoprophylaxis recommended: Certain districts of Lai Chau, Gia Lai, and Khanh Hoa provinces. Travellers heading into remote highland or border areas should discuss prophylaxis with their travel health provider.

Approximately equal rates of P. falciparum and P. vivax exist in risk areas. Mefloquine is not recommended due to drug-resistant strains. Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, and tafenoquine are effective options — the right choice depends on your itinerary and health history.

Other Health Risks to Know

Travellers’ Diarrhea — Moderate risk throughout the country, including upscale accommodations. Carry loperamide and a course of azithromycin. Observe strict food and water precautions.
Zika — Risk exists in southern and central areas including Ho Chi Minh City. Pregnant travellers should seek counselling before travel.
Tuberculosis — Vietnam is a high-burden MDR-TB country. Travellers staying more than 3 months should have a pre-departure and post-return TB test.
Avian Influenza — Minimal risk, but avoid live animal markets and poultry farms.
Air Quality — Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City can have poor air quality. Travellers with lung disease should take precautions.
Monkey Bites — A real risk at tourist sites. Avoid feeding monkeys; seek immediate medical care if bitten.
Medical Care — Care outside Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is limited. JCI-accredited hospitals exist in both cities, but complex cases require medical evacuation to Singapore or Bangkok. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.

Planning a Trip to Vietnam?

Get a personalized travel health assessment from an ISTM-certified physician — virtually, from anywhere in Ontario. Orleans Travel Clinic Pharmacy administers all recommended vaccines in Orleans, Ottawa.