Vietnam

Have a safe trip with travel vaccines and advice from medical professionals.

Travel health and safety for Vietnam 🇻🇳

Vietnam is a captivating country that beckons travelers with its rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and delicious cuisine.

Vietnamese cuisine is renowned for its fresh ingredients, vibrant flavours, and unique culinary techniques. Visitors can savor iconic dishes such as pho (noodle soup), banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich), or try new dishes like banh xeo (crepe) and bun cha (grilled pork and noodles).

Vietnam’s rich history and cultural heritage are evident in its ancient temples, pagodas, and historical sites. The UNESCO World Heritage sites of Halong Bay, Hoi An Ancient Town, and Hue’s Imperial City offer glimpses into the country’s fascinating past. Hanoi’s Old Quarter with its narrow streets and traditional architecture provides a glimpse into the vibrant city’s colonial history. Visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City allows travelers to learn about Vietnam’s wartime history and experience the underground network used by Vietnamese soldiers.

While immersing yourself in Vietnam, remember to prioritize your health and safety. Pay attention to food hygiene, such as opting for well-cooked meals and drinking bottled or filtered water. Stay informed about any specific safety guidelines, such as avoiding unexploded ordnance remnants in certain areas or taking precautions against mosquito-borne diseases in rural regions. With proper planning and awareness, you can enjoy all that Vietnam has to offer.

Travel Immunizations for Vietnam

What vaccines do I need for Vietnam? Get all the information and vaccinations you need to minimize travel health risks.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A virus can cause liver disease, and in rare cases, liver failure and death.

Can be spread by fecal-oral transmission, consuming contaminated food or water, or close, personal contact with an infected person.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and joint pain.

Measles

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease. Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact with infected individuals.
Symptoms initially resemble a common cold, followed by a characteristic rash fever, cough, runny nose, small, white spots inside the mouth and throat red eyes, sleepiness, and irritability.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that targets the liver and may cause chronic infections.

Its primary mode of transmission is through direct blood-to-blood contact with an infected person. It can also be transmitted through unprotected sex or sharing needles.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting and joint pain.

Malaria

Malaria is a serious and occasionally fatal disease that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, similar to the flu. Without treatment, malaria can cause severe illness and death.
Malaria can be treated with anti-malarial medications.

Rabies

Rabies is a viral infection transmitted through animal bites.

Symptoms may initially include fever, headache, and discomfort at the bite site, progressing to more severe neurological symptoms. Rabies is fatal if it is not treated before symptoms develop.
Rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.

Japanese Encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a viral infection spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.

Visitors to areas experiencing a JE outbreak should also consider vaccination.
Risk increases for individuals engaging in activities involving high contact with mosquitoes.

We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the provided information, however, it is not feasible for us to update daily. Please book a virtual consultation with one of our Travel Medicine Professionals for current, personalized advice and answers to any questions you may have.

Health Canada strongly advises travelers ensure their routine vaccinations are up to date, including:

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Guards against the varicella-zoster virus, responsible for chickenpox.

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP)

Protects against three different bacterial infections.

Flu (Influenza)

Vaccination against seasonal influenza strains is essential.

Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Provides immunity against all three diseases in one shot.

Polio

Essential for guarding against the poliovirus.

Shingles

Offers protection against a viral infection that causes painful rashes.

COVID-19

The ongoing pandemic necessitates adherence to vaccination guidelines and preventive measures.

Vietnam Concerns / Health Canada Recommendations

Traveler's Diarrhea

Most common illness for travelers, from consuming contaminated food & water

Affects up to 70% of travelers and risks minimized with good hygiene and safe food/drink choices (eg. avoid raw foods, ice in drinks).
Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, bloating.

Typhoid

Consider getting vaccinated against typhoid, as it can be contracted through contaminated food and water.

Symptoms of typhoid fever include a high fever, headache, weakness, fatigue, stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea, loss of appetite, and a rose-colored rash on the chest and abdomen.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease

Viral illness that primarily affects infants and children.

Symptoms include fever, sore throat, rash on hands, feet, and mouth, and loss of appetite.
Increased risk in overcrowded conditions. No vaccine or medication for prevention.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Infection caused by bacteria that mainly affects the lungs.

Symptoms include feelings of sickness or weakness, weight loss, fever, and night sweats.
Travellers may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis.

Insect Bite Prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. Cover up and use mosquito repellents to protect against infection.

Chikungunya: Symptoms include joint pains, fever, rash, and headache.
Dengue: Symptoms include high-grade fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, rash, and nausea/vomiting.

Zika: Symptoms include rash, itch, mild fever, headache, red eyes, muscle, and joint pains.

Over the Counter Medications for Travel to Vietnam

Pain Relief

Medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil) can be helpful for managing headaches, muscle pain, or fever.

Anti-Diarrheal Medications

It’s advisable to carry over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide (e.g., Imodium) to treat mild cases of traveler’s diarrhea. However, it’s important to stay hydrated and seek medical attention if diarrhea persists or worsens.

Antacids

Antacids like Tums or Pepto-Bismol can provide relief from indigestion or heartburn, which can sometimes occur when trying new foods or experiencing changes in diet during travel.

Allergy Medications

If you have known allergies, carrying antihistamines like cetirizine(e.g., Reactine) or diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl) can help manage allergic reactions to environmental allergens or insect bites.

Motion Sickness Medications

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider carrying medication like dimenhydrinate (e.g., Gravol) to alleviate symptoms during long journeys or when traveling by car, train, or boat.

Sun Protection

It is essential to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. Use sunscreen with a high SPF, wear hats, sunglasses, and lightweight, breathable clothing.

Medical Services and Facilities in Vietnam

Good health care is limited. Quality of care varies greatly throughout the country.
Both medical facilities and supplies are limited outside of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Private clinics and hospitals are usually better equipped. Services can be expensive, but they usually have qualified medical staff who speak English or French well.
Emergency and ambulance service response times may be slow due to traffic congestion. In case of emergency, you may consider taking a taxi or private vehicle to go to the hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.
Medical evacuation is very expensive. You may need it to neighbouring countries in case of serious illness or injury.
Ensure travel insurance includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Bringing Medication into Vietnam

If you take prescription medication, you’re responsible for determining their legality in Vietnam.

Bring sufficient quantities of your medication with you.
Always keep your medication in the original container.
Pack your medication in your carry-on luggage.

Consular Assistance in Vietnam

Hanoi - Embassy of Canada

Street Address: 31 Hung Vuong Street, Hanoi, Vietnam

Telephone: 84 (24) 3734-5000

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.Canada.ca/Canada-And-Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City - Consulate General of Canada

Street Address: 9th Floor, The Metropolitan, 235 Dong Khoi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Telephone: 84 (28) 3827-9899

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.Canada.ca/Canada-And-Vietnam

In case of emergency, dial:

113 for Police
114 for Firefighters
115 for Medical Assistance

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We know how hard it can be for Canadians to get the healthcare they need, when they need it. That’s why Rockdoc is on a mission to help Canadians navigate healthcare. We have decades of experience providing emergent, urgent, and continuing healthcare services and solutions – meeting and exceeding the standard of care for our patients and our communities.

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RN, BSN