Vietnam

Destination overview

Vietnam has a population of approximately 105 million people, with around two-thirds living in rural areas. The total size of Vietnam is 331,212 km² (128,565 mi²), slightly larger than New Mexico. Located in Southeast Asia, Vietnam shares international borders with China, Laos, and Cambodia. Vietnam is divided into 63 provinces. The terrain and climate vary, particularly between the north and the south and the mountainous and coastal areas. Once among the poorest countries in the world, Vietnam has now achieved World Bank lower-middle income status.

Vietnam is an increasingly popular travel destination for business and tourism. Travelers often try to get a flavor for the entire country with a trip of at least 10 days or combine their Vietnam travels with other nearby Southeast Asia destinations. There is no shortage of attractions in Vietnam, regardless of whether a traveler is interested in touring historical sites, shopping in ethnic markets or traditional trade villages, trekking or biking through hills and valleys, seeing native wildlife, cruising on the Mekong River or Ha Long Bay, or sampling local flavors to understand the regional variations of Vietnam's cuisine.

A typical itinerary might start in the north and include visiting the capital, Hanoi; touring the UNESCO World Heritage site Ha Long Bay aboard a junk boat; and exploring the rice fields in Sa Pa or Mai Chau. In the coastal region, travelers often go along the coast to Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang, and Nha Trang. In the south, travelers often choose to see Vietnam's largest and busiest city, Ho Chi Minh City. From there, Phu Quoc Island and the floating markets of the Mekong Delta are easy trips.

Infectious disease risks

In addition to the information provided below, country-specific travel advice about infectious disease risks can be found on the CDC Travelers' Health Destination pages

Vaccine-preventable diseases

Since 2015, multiple diphtheria outbreaks have been reported, mostly in the Central Highlands and northern mountainous areas, with sporadic outbreaks in the Central Coast and Southern regions, possibly due to low vaccination coverage. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, national vaccination coverage for vaccine-preventable diseases (e.g., diphtheria, measles, rubella) has declined below levels needed to prevent outbreaks.

Ensure travelers to Vietnam are up to date on routine vaccines, including, but not limited to, diphtheria, measles, and seasonal influenza (see Vaccination and Immunoprophylaxis—General Principles chapter). Travelers should also protect themselves by getting vaccinated against typhoid (see Typhoid and Paratyphoid Fever chapter) and hepatitis A (see Hepatitis A chapter). Hepatitis B vaccination is advised, especially for long-term travelers and expatriates (see Long-Term Travelers and Expatriates chapter), given the high prevalence of chronic hepatitis B in the population.

Enteric infections and diseases

Tap water is unsafe to drink in Vietnam (see Food and Water Precautions for Travelers chapter). Ice is also unsafe because it is often made from tap water. Advise travelers to avoid eating raw or undercooked meat or seafood, uncooked vegetables, and raw fruits that they cannot peel themselves. Discourage travelers from eating food, especially uncooked, or drinking beverages from street vendors. Travelers with allergies should be particularly cautious in Vietnam because many foods items are unmarked and may contain peanuts, fish, or shellfish (see Severely Allergic Travelers chapter).

Alert travelers not to consume dishes containing uncooked blood or meat of pigs, wild boar, or other animals because of the risk of trichinellosis and Streptococcus suis infection (meningitis or septicemia). One popular traditional Vietnamese dish, tiet canh, is made using coagulated, fresh, raw blood mixed with cooked pieces of meat. It can be difficult to know just by looking if a dish contains uncooked blood. Ask, and when in doubt, do not eat it.

Flukes

Remind travelers not to consume raw or undercooked water plants (e.g., watercress), especially in the rural areas of the country. Vietnam reports cases of a variety of trematode infections, including Fasciola gigantica and Fasciola hepatica (see Post-Travel Parasitic Disease Including Evaluation of Eosinophilia chapter). Annually, there are approximately 6,000–10,000 cases of trematode infections that require medical treatment throughout the country. Additionally, travelers should avoid raw, pickled, or undercooked freshwater crustaceans, including crabs and crayfish, as well as raw boar or deer meat, which can contain either the eggs or immature forms of lung flukes from the Paragonimus genus.

Respiratory infections and diseases

Avian influenza

Vietnam has reported sporadic cases of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus (see Influenza chapter). Since 2003, 129 cases of H5N1 infection were recorded, with 50% mortality (65 deaths). No human infections with H5 influenza virus were reported between 2014–2021, but sporadic cases have been reported since then. Additionally, the first human case of influenza A (H9N2) in Vietnam was detected in 2024. Influenza A (H9N2) does not normally cause severe disease in humans, typically occurs in small children, and has less than 2% mortality. Influenza A (H5Nx and H9Nx) viruses are endemic in domestic poultry in Vietnam, with continued sporadic and geographically dispersed poultry outbreaks. Certain provinces within Vietnam vaccinate their poultry against influenza A (H5N1), which may reduce the incidental transmission of the virus to humans.

To reduce the risk of exposure to avian influenza viruses, advise travelers to avoid direct contact with live birds, including poultry (e.g., chickens and ducks) and wild birds; avoid touching surfaces that have bird droppings (i.e., feces) or other bird fluids on them; and avoid places where live birds are raised, kept, or sold (e.g., live bird markets).

As noted previously, travelers should avoid any dishes that contain uncooked (i.e., raw) or undercooked bird meat or products (e.g., eggs, poultry blood). Egg yolks should not be runny or liquid. Remind travelers to wash hands often with soap and clean water or to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol) when soap and clean water are not available.

Coronavirus disease 2019

All travelers going to Vietnam should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.

Tuberculosis

Vietnam has a high burden of tuberculosis (TB) and drug-resistant TB (see Tuberculosis chapter). Immunocompromised travelers (see Immunocompromised Travelers chapter) to Vietnam, including those living with HIV (see Travelers with HIV chapter), are at increased risk for infection. Travelers can reduce their risk by avoiding close contact with people known to have active TB, especially in crowded and enclosed environments (e.g., clinics, hospitals, prisons, homeless shelters). To avoid bovine TB, travelers should refrain from consuming unpasteurized dairy products.

Sexually transmitted infections and HIV

There are an estimated 250,000 people living with HIV in Vietnam. Public health campaigns encouraging the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis and effective treatment using antiretroviral medications have helped decrease the number of people newly infected with HIV over the past 20 years. Nonetheless, there were an estimated 6,200 new infections in 2022. The main routes of transmission are through unprotected sex, injection drug use, and mother-to-child transmission.

In 2022, Vietnam reported its first 2 cases of mpox occurring in female travelers returning from overseas. After one year without any new cases reported, Vietnam witnessed a significant rise in mpox cases during 2023, with the majority of cases in and around Ho Chi Minh City. Other cases were mostly scattered in the Mekong Delta region. Approximately 75% of mpox infections occurred among men who have sex with men and people living with HIV/AIDS.

Ensure that travelers are aware of their risks for acquiring HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in Vietnam; counsel them to always use condoms during sex and to avoid injecting drugs or sharing needles. High-quality condoms are available in commercial markets in most urban areas. Travelers whose practices put them at high risk for HIV infection should discuss pre-exposure prophylaxis with their primary care and travel medicine providers (see Travelers with HIV and Sex and Travel chapters). Commercial sex work is illegal in Vietnam.

Soil- and water borne infections

Leptospirosis

Although leptospirosis is infrequently reported within Vietnam or from returning travelers (last reported in 2013), Leptospira spp. bacteria have been detected in rodents, especially those imported for food into Vietnam from Cambodia (see Leptospirosis chapter). Additionally, seroprevalence studies suggest that as many as 33% of people living in Vietnam have antibodies to at least 1 of 14 serovars of Leptospira. Discourage travelers from bathing, swimming, or wading in freshwater bodies of water such as rivers, waterfalls, lakes, and rice paddies.

Schistosomiasis

Although endemic to several countries in Asia and Southeast Asia—including Cambodia and Laos for Schistosoma mekongi and Indonesia, China, and the Philippines for Schistosoma japonicum—schistosomiasis is not a risk in Vietnam (see Schistosomiasis chapter).

Vector-borne diseases

Dengue and Zika

Dengue is endemic in Vietnam and, although peaking during the summer rainy season, transmission occurs year-round (see Dengue chapter). Travelers should protect themselves from dengue by preventing mosquito bites and controlling mosquitoes in and around their environments (see Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods chapter).

Zika is also endemic in Vietnam, but the risk to travelers is believed to be low (see Zika chapter). Because of the risk of birth defects in infants born to infected women, pregnant travelers should take special precautions and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites. See Zika travel information on the CDC Travelers' Health website for the most current recommendations for Zika.

Japanese encephalitis

Because Japanese encephalitis (JE) is endemic throughout Vietnam, CDC recommends JE vaccination for all travelers who spend ≥1 month in the country. Consider vaccination for short-term travelers who plan on spending time outside urban areas and might be involved in activities that expose them to the mosquitoes that transmit JE virus (e.g., camping, hiking, biking, or other outdoor activities, or staying in accommodations without air conditioning, screens, or bed nets). JE has seasonal peaks from May–October, and the highest rates of JE disease occur in the northern provinces around Hanoi and the northwestern and northeastern provinces bordering China. Personalized advice during a pre-travel consultation is important. For more details, see Japanese Encephalitis chapter.

Malaria

Malaria in Vietnam is mostly caused by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax (see Yellow Fever Vaccine and Malaria Prevention Information, by Country chapter, Malaria chapter, and Map 1.5.44, Malaria prevention in Vietnam). Cases and deaths have decreased substantially in the past 15 years, and ongoing local transmission is primarily a concern in certain rural areas that are not included in most tourist itineraries.

There are no cases in the cities of Da Nang, Hai Phong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, and Quy Nhon. Due to the rarity of malaria cases in the Mekong Delta and Red River Delta areas, antimalarial drugs are not recommended for these regions; however, advise travelers to these areas to follow mosquito bite avoidance measures, such as wearing loose-fitting clothing (e.g., long pants, long-sleeved shirts) and using insect repellent (see Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods chapter).

Travelers to rural areas (not including the Mekong Delta and Red River Delta) should take malaria chemoprophylaxis. While atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or tafenoquine are options in some rural areas, travelers to the rural areas of the provinces of Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Gia Lai, Khanh Hoa, Kon Tum, Lam Dong, Ninh Thuan, and Tay Ninh should avoid mefloquine due to resistance concerns and take only atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or tafenoquine.

Map 1.5.44

SOURCE:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

This Vietnam map outlines malaria prevention recommendations. The brown areas, which is most of the country, indicate chemoprophylaxis (preventive medication) and mosquito avoidance are recommended in rural and forested areas. Orange areas indicate mosquito avoidance only is recommended. This includes the province of Hanoi and some provinces surrounding Hanoi as well as the southern provinces of Kien Giang, Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, Hau Giang, Vinh Long, Ben Tre, Can Tho, Tien Giang, An Giang, Dong Thap, and Long An. Beige areas, including the city of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Nha Trang, Quy Nhon, Da Nang, and Hai Phong, have no known malaria transmission. An inset map highlights malaria risk in provinces near Hanoi where mosquito avoidance is recommended including Vinh Phuc, Hanoi province, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Hai Phong province, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, and Ha Nam.

Show Text Description

Environmental hazards and risks

Air quality

Travelers with allergies or asthma may find their symptoms are exacerbated because of high levels of particulate matter and outdoor air pollution, especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and their neighboring provinces (see Air Quality and Ionizing Radiation During Travel chapter). Short-term exposure to these levels of air pollution can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and those with underlying cardiorespiratory illness, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or heart disease, may find their condition exacerbated. In addition, exposure to high levels of air pollution significantly increases the risk of respiratory tract infections, including sinusitis, otitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable. Counsel travelers with asthma to carry their inhalers, especially the long-acting type, as part of their travel health kit (see Travel Health Kits chapter). If outside for extended durations, wearing a high-quality mask may help reduce exposure by filtering out some of the pollution. Not all masks are the same, and masks should be tightly fitted for the best protection. See guidance on types of respirators and masks.

Animal bites and rabies

While government-sponsored vaccination campaigns have reduced the prevalence, rabies persists in Vietnam, resulting in an average of 75 deaths per year (see Rabies chapter). Rabid dogs cause 99% of all rabies infections in the country. Consider recommending rabies pre-exposure vaccination for travelers participating in outdoor activities (e.g., camping, caving) that could increase their risk of animal bites.

Vaccination is also recommended for travelers working with animals (e.g., veterinarians), people taking long trips or moving to Vietnam, and young children, for whom it can be difficult to prevent interaction with dogs or other animals. Rabies vaccine for pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis is available at the vaccination clinics of most district health centers and all provincial centers for disease control as well as four regional public health institutes. Rabies human immune globulin is only offered at the provincial centers for disease control and regional public health institutes; it is prescribed in the most severe cases, such as bites from dogs that are rabid-appearing or unable to be monitored or bites to the head, neck, or face.

Climate and sun exposure

Skin rashes may result from fungal infections or the combination of heat and humidity. Sunstroke, sunburn, and dehydration can be problems for travelers (see Sun Exposure in Travelers and Heat and Cold Illness in Travelers chapters). Remind travelers to keep their clothes, shoes, and linens clean and dry. Use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF ≥15 that protects against both UVA and UVB is recommended; travelers should keep well-hydrated and minimize sun exposure by using clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and umbrellas.

Low-lying areas around the country are prone to flooding, especially during the rainy season. Travelers should review the seasonal weather forecasts, including high-rain months before making travel plans. Flooding also increases the risk of water borne infections, like leptospirosis (see Leptospirosis chapter) and melioidosis.

Safety and security

Traffic-related injuries

Remind travelers to always fasten seat belts when riding in cars and to wear a safety helmet when riding bicycles and motorbikes (see Injury and Death During Travel chapter). Pedestrians may find road conditions in Vietnam to be challenging because of an apparent lack of rules and the large number of vehicles and motorcycles sharing the road.

Advise travelers to walk facing traffic and, when crossing the street, to proceed at a consistent walking pace with no sudden direction changes (e.g., quickly turning back). Pedestrians will observe that motorbikes and cars will go around them, much like a school of fish will part when it encounters an object, and then regroup. Motorbikes (and sometimes cars) will travel on the wrong side of the street (against oncoming traffic) as well as on sidewalks, so urge travelers to remember to always look in both directions, to be careful passing openings in and between buildings (where motorcycles can come out rapidly), and to be particularly cautious when crossing at corners. Pedestrians should use crosswalks where available.

Availability and quality of medical care

Several private medical practices, clinics, and hospitals that serve foreigners are available in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. However, blood transfusion services, inpatient care, and specialty services in other cities and provinces are generally not of high quality. Thus, travelers are recommended to have adequate medical evacuation insurance in case they need to be evacuated to Singapore or Bangkok, where high-quality specialty services are provided (see Travel Insurance, Travel Health Insurance, and Medical Evacuation Insurance chapter).

To ensure the quality of any needed medications, travelers may want to consider purchasing them through an expatriate or international travel clinic, even if the price is higher. If travelers are taking prescription medication, they should bring enough medication for the entire trip, in the original bottle, and with the prescription (see Traveling with Prohibited or Restricted Medications chapter).