Vietnam

Most travellers
There is an increased risk of contracting hepatitis A and typhoid in Vietnam, both of which can be contracted through contaminated food or water.

Some travellers:

Depending on where you are staying and what activities you have planned, preventative measures, including the following vaccinations may be recommended for you by your doctor:

• Hepatitis B 
• Japanese encephalitis 
• Rabies
• Malaria (no vaccination is available in Australia, but preventative medication can be prescribed by your doctor)

What your doctor will need to know:

• When you plan to travel (time of year/season)

• The duration of your trip 

• The regions of Vietnam you are visiting 

• Your planned activities (i.e. if you are going trekking or visiting remote and/or wilderness areas)

• If you will be in contact with animals

• If you are up-to-date with your routine vaccinations  

Your doctor may also conduct a general health check-up. This may be needed for your travel insurance if you have a pre-existing medical condition.

If you are not up-to-date with your routine vaccinations, or if your doctor believes you may be at an increased risk of contracting a vaccine-preventable disease, then they may recommend that you get a booster or be revaccinated against a particular disease. 

The average cost of a single travel vaccine can vary between $45-$85.

If you have private healthcare, you may find they will cover some costs, but this varies from one company to another – check with your personal insurer for more details. 

Before travelling:

• Register your trip with Smart Traveller 
• Make sure you have enough of your regular prescription medicines;
• Ensure you’re up-to-date with your routine vaccinations 
• Take out travel insurance - to cover you and your family for medical and other costs resulting from unexpected incidents and accidents
• Put together a travel kit with medication for pain, diarrhoeal medicine, oral rehydration salts, antiseptic lotion or ointment, adhesive bandages and other wound dressings, insect repellent, sunscreen, latex gloves, thermometer, motion sickness medicine, water purification tablets and compression stockings

During travel:

• The tap water in Vietnam is not safe to drink. 
• Drink bottled or filtered water only and check the plastic seal on bottled water is intact (some stores have been known to sell boiled water in recycled bottles). Avoid adding ice to your drinks, and check that salad and fruit have been washed with filtered water prior to consumption. 
• Traveller's diarrhoea is common in Vietnam. 
• Important ways to prevent traveller’s diarrhoea include:
  • ensure you wash your hands with soap and water regularly 
  • where possible, opt for fully cooked fresh food and only eat fruit that you peel yourself. 
  • avoid mosquito bites, as you may be at risk of contracting illnesses such as Japanese encephalitis (JE) or malaria in some rural parts of Vietnam. 
• Speak with your healthcare professional about whether or not you might need medication or vaccination, at least 4 weeks prior to your departure. You can further protect yourself with insect repellent, wearing clothes that cover your arms and legs, and staying in accommodation that has air conditioning, fly nets or screened windows provided.
• Rabies is a deadly disease and considered a risk in Vietnam. It is spread by the bite, lick or scratch of an infected animal, such as a dog or a monkey. Avoid close contact with wild and domestic animals, this is especially important for children. Do not carry food around, or feed/play with monkeys or other animals. Vaccinations for rabies are available – your doctor can advise whether vaccinations are required for your trip.
• Use condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, human papillomavirus, herpes, syphilis, hepatitis B and HIV.
• Diseases such as HIV and hepatitis B can also be spread through fluids such as blood and semen. To protect yourself, do not inject drugs, do not share needles or devices that can break the skin including those used for tattooing, piercings or acupuncture. Vaccinations are available for hepatitis B.