Vietnam Travel Vaccines: What You Should Know Before Your Trip
Vietnam Travel Vaccines: What You Should Know Before Your Trip
Whether you’re cruising through Ha Long Bay, trekking in the northern highlands, or enjoying the energy of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is a dream destination for many travellers. But before you pack your bags, it’s important to take your health into account.
This guide outlines which travel vaccines for Vietnam are recommended, what risks to be aware of, and how Malvern Travel Clinic can help you stay protected throughout your journey.
Why Vaccinations Matter When Visiting Vietnam
Although Vietnam is a safe and popular destination, its health environment is different from that in the UK. Some infectious diseases remain common in parts of Vietnam due to variations in sanitation, access to clean water, and exposure to mosquitoes or animals.
You may be more at risk if you plan to:
- Travel through rural or off-grid locations
- Eat local street food or drink untreated water
- Stay for several weeks or months
- Spend time with local families or communities
- Volunteer or work in farming, education, or medical settings
Even short trips can expose you to risks — having the right vaccinations in advance offers peace of mind and protection.
Key Vaccines Recommended for Vietnam
- Transmission: Through contaminated food or water
- Risk factor: Widespread in regions with basic sanitation facilities
- Recommended for: All travellers
- Course: One dose with a long-term booster available
- Transmission: By eating or drinking contaminated items
- Risk factor: Frequently present in street food or untreated water
- Recommended for: Most visitors, especially in smaller towns
- Course: Single injection effective for up to 3 years
- Transmission: Through cuts, wounds, or airborne particles
- Risk factor: Still present in some parts of Asia
- Recommended for: Anyone without a booster in the past 10 years
- Course: One-time booster if needed
- Transmission: Contact with blood or bodily fluids
- Risk factor: Medical procedures, piercings, sexual contact
- Recommended for: Long-term travellers or those at higher risk
- Course: Three doses; fast-tracked schedules available
- Transmission: Bites or scratches from infected animals
- Risk factor: Commonly found in dogs, monkeys, and bats in rural Vietnam
- Recommended for: Adventurous travellers, volunteers, or those staying in remote areas
- Course: Three pre-exposure vaccine doses
- Transmission: Mosquito bites
- Risk factor: Particularly common in rice paddies and rural regions during the wet season
- Recommended for: Extended trips to the countryside or travel during monsoon months
- Course: Two-dose schedule, ideally completed 6+ weeks before departure
Other Vaccines to Consider
Depending on your personal health, itinerary, and activities, you may also want to discuss:
- Cholera – Recommended for those visiting high-risk zones or responding to humanitarian needs
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) – A booster may be needed if childhood vaccinations were incomplete
- Influenza (Flu) – Especially useful during Vietnam’s cooler or flu-prone seasons
These will be discussed during your travel health consultation at Malvern Travel Clinic.
When to Book Your Travel Vaccines
Ideally, you should schedule your Vietnam travel vaccine appointment at least 6–8 weeks before you leave. This allows time for vaccines that require more than one dose and ensures your body develops full immunity.
Travelling soon? We can still help — many vaccines provide protection even when given closer to your departure date.
Why Choose Malvern Travel Clinic?
At Malvern Travel Clinic, we offer a personalised and professional service to help you stay safe abroad. When you book with us, we will:
- Review your travel plans in detail
- Check your current vaccination history
- Recommend both essential and optional vaccines
- Offer same-day vaccinations where available
- Advise on food safety, insect protection, and general travel health tips
Our clinic is easily accessible and staffed by experienced professionals who are passionate about travel health.
We offer vaccinations and advice in Malvern, Hereford, Leominster, Powick, Ledbury and surrounding areas!
Book Your Appointment Today
A little preparation goes a long way when it comes to your health abroad. Protect yourself with the appropriate Vietnam travel vaccinations and enjoy your trip with confidence. Contact us at Malvern Travel Clinic today
