Health & Vaccinations
Vietnam is a tropical country — some health precautions are important, but panic is unnecessary. Millions of tourists travel through Vietnam every year without problems.
Recommended Vaccinations
| Vaccination | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio | Standard vaccination — refresh! |
| Hepatitis A | Strongly recommended |
| Hepatitis B | Recommended for longer stays |
| Typhoid | Recommended for travel off the tourist paths |
| Rabies | Recommended for rural stays (dogs!) |
| Japanese Encephalitis | For stays in rural areas during the monsoon |
| Malaria | In highlands and border areas — discuss prophylaxis |
Common Health Risks
- Diarrhea (Traveler's Diarrhea): Affects almost everyone. Do not drink tap water, avoid ice cubes in simple stalls, eat only peeled fruit. Have Imodium and electrolyte solution on hand.
- Dengue Fever: Transmitted by mosquito bites, especially in the rainy season. No vaccine available — mosquito protection (DEET, long clothing, mosquito nets) is the best prevention.
- Sunstroke/Heatstroke: Underestimated! Drink plenty (3–4 liters/day), wear a hat, avoid midday heat.
- Traffic Accidents: The biggest health risk! → See chapter on traffic.
Hospitals
Medical care in Hanoi and HCMC is good — there are international clinics with English-speaking doctors:
- Hanoi: Vinmec International Hospital, 458 Minh Khai. Tel: +84 24 3974 3556
- HCMC: FV Hospital, 6 Nguyễn Lương Bằng, District 7. Tel: +84 28 5411 3333
Achtung
Absolutely make sure to get international health insurance with repatriation (e.g., ADAC, Hanse Merkur, or long-term: WorldNomads). Treatments in international clinics can quickly cost 500–1,000€+. Without insurance, you pay everything out of pocket!
