Vietnam Travel Vaccinations
What vaccinations do I need for Vietnam?
It depends on where you’re going, for how long, and what you’ll be doing. As a guide, UK travel health guidance groups the vaccinations for Vietnam like this — your pharmacist will confirm exactly what you need at your consultation:
| Protects against | Who should consider it | Doses & schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Most travellers Hepatitis A | All travellers — spread through contaminated food and water, including in hotels. | 1 dose, ideally 2 weeks before travel. Booster at 6–12 months gives ~25 years’ protection. |
| Most travellers Tetanus, diphtheria & polio | All travellers whose last booster was more than 10 years ago. | Single combined booster injection. |
| Most travellers Typhoid | Most travellers — Vietnam’s street-food culture is a highlight, and a risk. | 1 injection, ideally 2 weeks before travel. Protects ~3 years. |
| Some trips Rabies | Consider for longer stays, motorbiking, rural travel and animal contact — post-bite treatment is limited outside the big cities. | Course of 3 injections over 21–28 days — book early. |
| Some trips Japanese encephalitis | Stays over a month, rural or rice-farming areas, or wet-season travel (roughly May–October). | 2 injections, day 0 and day 28 (an accelerated 7-day schedule is possible). |
| Some trips Hepatitis B | Longer stays, healthcare work, new tattoos or piercings, or activities with a risk of blood contact. | 3 injections — an accelerated course over 21 days is available. |
| Some trips Dengue fever | Worth considering — dengue is widespread in Vietnam, including the cities. Available at our clinic whether or not you’ve had dengue before. | 2 doses, 3 months apart — book well ahead of travel. |
| Some trips Cholera | Aid workers or travel to areas with very limited sanitation. Not needed for typical tourism. | Oral vaccine: 2 doses, 1–6 weeks apart, completed at least 1 week before travel. |
A yellow fever certificate is not required when travelling to Vietnam directly from the UK. Vaccine prices are kept up to date on our travel clinic price list.
Do I need malaria tablets for Vietnam?
Most tourist itineraries don’t need tablets. Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and the main coastal route are considered low risk.
Some do. The central highlands and rural border areas with Laos and Cambodia carry genuine risk where tablets may be advised — bring your route and we’ll map it against current UK guidance and supply tablets the same visit if needed.
Dengue is the everyday mosquito risk across Vietnam. There are no tablets for dengue, but a dengue vaccination is available at our clinic for all eligible travellers, whether or not you’ve had dengue before.
How our travel clinic works
Book online in 2 minutes
Choose a time that suits you — same-week appointments are usually available, and families can be seen together in one visit.
Personalised risk assessment
Your pharmacist reviews your itinerary, health history and previous vaccinations against current UK travel health guidance, and agrees a plan with you.
Vaccinated the same visit
Most vaccinations — and antimalarial tablets, if you need them — are given there and then. You only pay for what you actually need.
The diseases explained
More detail on each illness you can be protected against before travelling to Vietnam:
Hepatitis A
A viral liver infection spread through contaminated food and water — risk exists even for careful eaters staying in good hotels, which is why vaccination is advised for virtually all travellers to Vietnam. Illness causes weeks of fatigue, nausea and jaundice. A single injection before travel protects, and a booster 6–12 months later extends protection for around 25 years.
Typhoid
A bacterial infection from contaminated food and water causing prolonged fever, headache and abdominal illness. Risk is highest for adventurous eaters and travellers staying with friends and relatives. One injection gives around three years’ protection.
Tetanus, diphtheria & polio
These are covered by the UK childhood programme, but protection fades. Tetanus enters through cuts and animal scratches; diphtheria spreads person-to-person. Travellers whose last dose was over ten years ago need a single combined booster.
Rabies
Vietnam has rabies in its animal population, and a lick, scratch or bite from a dog, cat, monkey or bat can transmit it. Once symptoms appear rabies is almost always fatal — and treatment after a bite can be expensive and hard to obtain quickly. Pre-travel vaccination is a course of three injections over 3–4 weeks, so it rewards booking early. Particularly advised for longer stays, rural travel, children and anyone likely to be around animals.
Japanese encephalitis
A mosquito-borne viral brain infection found in rural rice-growing areas, with risk peaking in and after the rainy season. Serious cases can be fatal or cause lasting neurological damage. Vaccination (two doses, usually four weeks apart) is advised for longer stays and rural itineraries.
Hepatitis B
A blood-borne viral liver infection transmitted through unprotected sex, tattoos, piercings, medical procedures and injuries. Advised for longer stays, healthcare workers and anyone whose plans carry a risk of blood contact. The standard course is three injections; an accelerated 21-day schedule suits imminent departures.
Cholera
A severe diarrhoeal illness from heavily contaminated water. Risk to conventional tourists is very low; the oral vaccine is reserved for aid workers and travel to areas with very poor sanitation.
Dengue fever
Dengue is a common mosquito-borne infection in Vietnam and, unlike malaria, the mosquitoes that carry it bite during the day and thrive in towns. A second infection can be more severe than the first. A dengue vaccination is available at our travel clinic — open to all eligible travellers, whether or not you’ve had dengue before — given as two doses three months apart, so it rewards booking early. Bite avoidance remains important even when vaccinated. Read more on our dengue fever page.
Where in Vietnam are you going?
Hanoi & Ha Long Bay
Street food is the star — hepatitis A and typhoid are the staples, plus boosters.
Ho Chi Minh City & the Mekong
Delta boat trips and homestays raise JE and rabies considerations for longer stays.
Hoi An & the central coast
Beach-and-culture trips: hepatitis A, typhoid, dengue bite-prevention.
Highlands & borderlands
Sapa trekking and remote borders: malaria check, JE and rabies for longer rural itineraries.
Planning your timing
UK travel to Vietnam peaks November to March. The ideal time to book your consultation is September to January — 6 to 8 weeks before you fly — earlier for the rabies or dengue courses.
Everyday health essentials for Vietnam
Food & water: drink bottled or boiled water, avoid ice of unknown origin, choose freshly cooked food served hot, and peel fruit yourself. Bites: 50% DEET repellent, cover arms and legs at dawn and dusk, sleep under nets or in screened rooms. Sun & heat: high-SPF sunscreen, hydration, and shade in the middle of the day. If you're unwell after you return — especially with fever — see a doctor promptly and mention your travel history. Our pharmacists can advise on travel first-aid kits, oral rehydration and stomach remedies at your appointment.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I book my Vietnam vaccinations?
Ideally 6–8 weeks before travel — multi-dose courses such as rabies take 3–4 weeks to complete. Flying sooner? Single-dose protection against hepatitis A and typhoid works at shorter notice — book the earliest appointment you can and we’ll prioritise.
Do I need malaria tablets for Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Ha Long Bay?
No — the main tourist routes are considered low risk. The central highlands and rural border regions are different; we check your route at consultation.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for Vietnam?
Not from the UK — Vietnam requires one only from travellers arriving from yellow fever risk countries.
How much do travel vaccinations cost?
You only pay for the vaccinations you actually need, agreed at your consultation. Current prices are on our travel clinic price list.
Can my family be vaccinated at the same appointment?
Yes — we routinely see couples and families together. Book one slot and mention the number of travellers, or call us on 01276 21002 and we’ll arrange it.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Your itinerary (destinations, dates, rural stops), your vaccination history if you have it, and a note of any medicines you take or allergies.
Rated by 330+ patients of our Camberley pharmacy and clinics.
GPhC registered pharmacy 1105418 · Superintendent pharmacist Jirina Thielens (GPhC 2069634).
This guide follows UK national travel health guidance (TravelHealthPro / NHS) and was last reviewed in August 2026. Recommendations can change — your consultation always reflects the latest advice.
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