Confirm primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended - including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions.

• Cholera

  Travel health advice relating to cholera.

  Spread through consumption of contaminated water and food. More common during floods and after natural disasters, in areas with very poor sanitation and lack of clean drinking water. It would be unusual for travellers to contract cholera if they take basic precautions with food and water and maintain a good standard of hygiene.

  Last Updated: 6th Aug, 2014

• Diphtheria

  Travel health advice relating to diphtheria.

  Spread person to person through respiratory droplets. Risk is higher if mixing with locals in poor, overcrowded living conditions.

  Last Updated: 8th Sep, 2016

• Hepatitis A

  Travel health advice relating to hepatitis A.

  Spread through consuming contaminated food and water or person to person through the faecal-oral route. Risk is higher where personal hygiene and sanitation are poor.

  Last Updated: 6th Aug, 2014

• Hepatitis B

  Travel health advice relating to hepatitis B.

  Spread through infected blood and blood products, contaminated needles and medical instruments and sexual intercourse. Risk is higher for those at occupational risk, long stays or frequent travel, children (exposed through cuts and scratches) and individuals who may need, or request, surgical procedures abroad.

  Last Updated: 24th Sep, 2015

• Japanese Encephalitis

  Travel health advice relating to Japanese encephalitis.

  Spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. This mosquito breeds in rice paddies and mainly bites between dusk and dawn. Risk is higher for long stay travellers to rural areas, particularly if unable to avoid mosquito bites.

  Last Updated: 9th Jun, 2015

• Rabies

  Travel health advice relating to rabies.

  Spread through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite, scratch or lick on broken skin. Particularly dogs and related species, but also bats. Risk is higher for those going to remote areas (who may not be able to promptly access appropriate treatment in the event of a bite), long stays, those at higher risk of contact with animals and bats, and children. Even when pre-exposure vaccine has been received, urgent medical advice should be sought after any animal or bat bite.

  Last Updated: 11th Aug, 2016

• Tetanus

  Travel health advice relating to tetanus.

  Spread through contamination of cuts, burns and wounds with tetanus spores. Spores are found in soil worldwide. A total of 5 doses of tetanus vaccine are recommended for life in the UK. Boosters are usually recommended in a country or situation where the correct treatment of an injury may not be readily available.

  Last Updated: 11th Aug, 2016

• Typhoid

  Travel health advice relating to typhoid.

  Spread mainly through consumption of contaminated food and drink. Risk is higher where access to adequate sanitation and safe water is limited.

  Last Updated: 11th Aug, 2016

Yellow fever vaccination certificate required or travellers over 1 year of age arriving from countrires with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes. You cannot be vaccinated against malaria.

Precaution

• Malaria risk is low throughout the year in Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Binh Phuoc and western parts of Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and north west Lai Chau. In these areas, malaria tablets are not recommended, however, they may be considered for certain travellers who may be at higher risk (see below under Low risk areas with additional advice)
• Low to no risk in other areas including Ho Chi Min City and Hanoi, the Red River and Mekong deltas, Phu Quoc Island and coastal plains.
• Malaria precautions are essential. Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.
• Check with your doctor or nurse if antimalarial tablets may be required.
• See malaria map – additional information can be found by clicking on the Regional Information icon below the map.
• Low to no risk with additional advice: antimalarial tablets are not usually advised, however, they can be considered for certain travellers who may be at higher risk e.g. longer stay in rural areas, visiting friends or relatives, those with medical conditions, immunosuppression or those without a spleen. Atovaquone/proguanil OR doxycycline OR mefloquine is advised for those at risk.
• Low to no risk: antimalarial tablets are not usually advised.
• If you have been travelling in a malarious area and develop a fever seek medical attention promptly. Remember malaria can develop even up to one year after exposure.

• Altitude and Travel
  This country has either areas with high altitude (2400m or more) or/and areas with very high altitude (3658m or more). Travellers who may go into areas of high altitude should take care to avoid ill effects of being at altitude including Acute Mountain Sickness, a potentially life-threatening condition.

• Dengue Fever
  A viral illness that is transmitted to humans by mosquito bites. The mosquito that spreads dengue bites during the day and is more common in urban areas. Symptoms include fever, headache, severe joint, bone and muscular pain - hence its other name 'breakbone fever'. There is no vaccine and prevention is through avoidance of mosquito bites.

This country has reported cases of ZIKV virus infection. ZIKV is most commonly spread by mosquito bites, but there is also a risk of sexual transmission. There is a link between ZIKV infection and babies being born with birth defects.

Advice for Travellers:

• All travellers should practice strict mosquito bite avoidance, at all times.
• Do not travel without adequate travel insurance.
• Seek pre-travel advice from your health care provider 6-8 weeks in advance of travel, particularly important if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy.
• Pregnant women are advised to postpone non-essential travel to countries or areas with High risk of ZIKV transmission.
• Pregnant women are advised to consider postponing non-essential travel to countries or areas with Moderate risk of ZIKV transmission.
• If you develop any feverish illness whilst travelling or on return medical attention must be sought quickly.

Look at the additional advice on the ZIKV Infection page, which includes how to avoid sexual transmission of ZIKV.

• Rabies in Vietnam (Human) (Animal) - published 13th Oct, 2016

• Japanese Encephalitis in Vietnam - published 1st Jul, 2016

• Dengue Fever in Vietnam - published 28th Apr, 2016

• Zika Virus Infection in Vietnam - published 29th Mar, 2016

• Rabies in Vietnam (Human) (Animal) - published 5th Aug, 2015

• Rabies (Human) (Canine) in Vietnam - published 19th May, 2015

• Rubella in Vietnam - published 2nd Feb, 2015

• Rabies (Human) in Vietnam - published 21st May, 2014

• Measles in Vietnam (Update) - published 24th Apr, 2014

• Measles in Vietnam (Update) - published 12th Feb, 2014

• Measles in Vietnam - published 21st Jan, 2014

• Avian Influenza (Human) in Vietnam - published 10th Apr, 2013

• Dengue Fever in Vietnam - published 13th Aug, 2012

• Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Vietnam - published 13th Jul, 2012

• Dengue Fever in Vietnam - published 12th Jun, 2012