What are the recommended vaccinations and medications for travel to Vietnam?

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Last updated: September 24, 2025 • View editorial policy

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Vietnam Travel Medicine Recommendations

For travel to Vietnam, recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A, tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap), and Japanese encephalitis for those staying one month or longer in endemic areas, along with malaria prophylaxis using doxycycline or atovaquone/proguanil for travelers to risk areas. 1, 2

Essential Vaccinations

Routine Vaccinations

  • Tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap): One dose every 10 years 2
  • Influenza: Annual vaccination recommended, particularly important for travel to tropical regions 2
  • COVID-19: mRNA vaccines preferred due to high efficacy and safety profile 2

Travel-Specific Vaccinations

  • Hepatitis A: Recommended for most travelers to Vietnam
    • Provides >95% protection after a single dose
    • Offers long-lasting protection (>20 years) 2
  • Japanese Encephalitis (JE):
    • Strongly recommended for travelers spending a month or longer in endemic areas during transmission season
    • Consider for short-term travelers (<1 month) who plan to travel outside urban areas
    • Not recommended for short-term travelers whose visit will be restricted to urban areas 1
    • JE-VC vaccine requires 2 doses administered 28 days apart (intramuscular)
    • Complete vaccination at least 1 week before potential exposure 1

Malaria Prevention

Medication Options

  • Doxycycline:

    • Dosage: 100mg daily for adults
    • Start 1-2 days before travel
    • Continue daily during stay and for 4 weeks after leaving 2, 3
    • For children >8 years: 2mg/kg/day (not exceeding adult dose) 3

  • Atovaquone/proguanil (alternative option):

    • Start 1-2 days before travel
    • Continue daily during stay and for 7 days after leaving 2

Non-Medication Prevention

  • Use insect repellent containing DEET
  • Sleep under insecticide-treated bed nets
  • Wear long sleeves and pants, especially during evening and night
  • Use air conditioning or window/door screens 2

Traveler's Diarrhea Prevention and Management

  • Carry an antibiotic for self-treatment (e.g., ciprofloxacin 500mg twice daily for 3-7 days)
  • Pack antidiarrheal medication such as loperamide
  • Avoid antiperistaltic agents if there is high fever or bloody stools 2

Special Considerations

Timing of Vaccinations

  • Complete JE vaccination series at least 1 week before travel 1
  • For other vaccines, allow sufficient time before departure for immunity to develop

High-Risk Travelers

  • Pregnant travelers: Should delay live vaccines when possible
  • Immunocompromised travelers: Should avoid live vaccines and consult with a specialist before travel 2

Common Pitfalls and Caveats

  1. Underestimating JE risk: Many travelers incorrectly assume they don't need JE vaccine for short trips. Even short-term travelers should consider vaccination if planning activities outside urban areas 1

  2. Inadequate malaria prophylaxis timing: Failure to start antimalarials before travel and continue after leaving endemic areas reduces effectiveness 2, 3

  3. Relying solely on medication: Prevention of mosquito-borne diseases requires both medication and physical protection measures 2

  4. Vaccination documentation: Ensure proper documentation of vaccinations in an International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow card) 2

  5. Hepatitis B birth dose coverage: Vietnam has historically had low coverage rates for hepatitis B birth dose vaccination, suggesting ongoing transmission risk 4

By following these recommendations, travelers to Vietnam can significantly reduce their risk of vaccine-preventable diseases and other travel-related health issues.

References

1
Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

2
Guideline

Vaccination Recommendations for Travelers and Healthcare Workers

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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