Vaccinations before traveling to Vietnam: is it necessary, list of required ones

When we go on a trip, we tune in to the positive and dream of adventure; bad thoughts never enter anyone’s head. And only when faced with troubles do we begin to understand that we should have taken care of some things in advance.

When planning a vacation in Vietnam, almost all tourists plan their vacation in advance, but few people think about local diseases. Therefore, let's look at these questions and find out what infections are common in this country, what medications you need to take with you in your travel first aid kit, and, most importantly, whether vaccinations are needed for a trip to Vietnam.

Do you need vaccinations to travel to Vietnam?

You can travel to Vietnam without vaccinations. There is no mandatory vaccination before travel. Despite this, it is still better to protect yourself and protect yourself from diseases.

This is an exotic country where there is a risk of contracting infectious diseases. True, it is relatively small, because the Vietnamese strictly monitor the condition of public places and do not allow unsanitary conditions.

Visas and money

Russian citizens are allowed to stay in Vietnam for up to 15 days without a visa. In this case, the trip must be of a tourist nature, and the passport must remain valid for 6 months from the date of entry.

Tourist trips to Phu Quoc Island are being actively advertised today. Therefore, you can stay here for up to 1 month without a visa. Subject to arrival by direct flight or with a transfer, but from the international terminals of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City airports.

1000 Vietnamese dong (VND) is 2.8 RUB, 1 USD=23,200 dong (March 2019 exchange rate). Calculating the approximate price of something in rubles is quite simple: you need to discard 3 zeros and multiply by 3. Banknotes with a denomination of 10 thousand or more are plastic.

The prices are approximately as follows:

dish in a restaurant: 70-90,000
dish or sandwich in an inexpensive cafe, fast food: 20-25,000
beer or coffee 20-30 000
local fruits: mango 20-25,000 kg, durian 15-30,000, pineapple - from 15,000 per piece

What vaccinations are needed?

The following vaccinations are worth highlighting:

Hepatitis A. The vaccine is administered at least 28 days before travel. Additionally, you can also give a gamma globulin injection.
Typhoid fever. Vaccination is carried out at intervals of three years, starting from 5 years. It takes 21 days for the immune defense to form.
Measles, rubella, mumps. Two doses of the drug are administered at a time.
Tetanus and diphtheria. The vaccination is done once every ten years.
Japanese encephalitis. The procedure must be carried out a month before travel.
Dysentery. Vaccinations begin at the age of three. The effect of the vaccine lasts for a year.
Rabies. The vaccine is used if a rural area is chosen for recreation.
Yellow fever and Dengue fever. The drug is administered 2 weeks before the trip.

The situation at the resorts of Vietnam

Vietnam has world-class resorts, so today there are no epidemics, and most catering establishments comply with sanitary standards. Large tourist areas (Hanoi, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Vung Tau, etc.) are quite safe, so tourists vacationing here do not need to have any vaccinations. All you need to do is take a basic first aid kit and buy some local repellent. When crossing the border, no one will ask you for certificates or vaccination certificates.

Specific vaccination is recommended in several cases:

you are going to spend more than 30 days in Vietnam and/or other countries in Southeast Asia;
Excursions or trips into the interior of the country are planned (through the countryside, jungle, kayak trip along the Mekong);
you want to play it safe and be guaranteed to protect your children when traveling.

Possible consequences of traveling without vaccinations

In certain areas of the country, there are a large number of insects that carry intractable diseases. These infections are extremely dangerous for tourists who have not been vaccinated. The indigenous population has developed a strong immunity to them.

Sometimes cases of the development of the following diseases are recorded:

Yellow fever. The infection is transmitted by mosquitoes. After infection, a yellow rash appears on the body, joint pain, hyperthermia, and chills are noted.
Dengue fever. The carriers of the disease are mosquitoes. The symptoms of the disease are in many ways similar to fever. The main difference is that the rash is red, not yellow.
Malaria. Develops after insect bites. The infection is spread by mosquitoes. With the development of malaria, vomiting, nausea, severe pain, hyperthermia and chills are noted.
Hepatitis A. Routes of transmission - dirty water, food. Infection is also possible through direct contact with a carrier of hepatitis. As the disease progresses, the liver is affected. The skin acquires a yellow tint, severe pain and a rise in body temperature are noted.
Japanese encephalitis. Despite this name, the disease is widespread in Vietnam. In this case, mosquitoes also spread the infection. Treatment of the disease is very problematic and causes incurable brain damage. A third of people infected with the virus die.

A vaccine will help avoid the development of dangerous diseases, so it is strongly recommended for all tourists to get vaccinated. It is much easier to prevent a disease than to deal with its consequences.

What medications should tourists take with them?

Tourists should not rely on local pharmacies in Vietnam: they may not have the necessary medications. Therefore, a first aid kit with the most necessary medications for the trip should be collected in advance.

Judging by the reviews of tourists, the most popular means are:

antihistamines (Claritin, Suprastin, Erius). The body's reaction to Vietnamese food and local insects can be unpredictable. Undesirable symptoms (itching, redness of the skin, difficulty breathing) can occur even in a healthy person, not to mention those with allergies. Taking an antihistamine in a timely manner can not only make you feel better, but also save your life;
medications for gastrointestinal disorders: enterosorbents (activated carbon, Smecta, Enterosgel), rehydrating (Regidron) and antibacterial (Enterofuril) drugs. They will help relieve intoxication in case of poisoning, restore acid-base and water-electrolyte balance;
drugs with analgesic and antipyretic effects (Paracetamol, Saridon). They will make you feel better at high temperatures and general intoxication;
means for disinfection (hydrogen peroxide, iodine, bactericidal patches, cotton wool, bandages). An infection can enter the body through open wounds, so even minor damage to the skin (scratches, abrasions, traces of splinters) must be treated immediately;
drugs for the treatment and prevention of malaria (Chloridine, Chloroquine, Fansidar, etc.);
eye and ear drops (Garazon, Sofradex).

It is also worth taking hygiene products with you: wet wipes (including antibacterial ones), disposable razors.

To avoid infection in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and other exotic countries, you must follow the following recommendations:

use repellents. Many diseases are transmitted through midges, mosquitoes, fleas and other insects. Even one bite can be enough for the virus to enter the body and cause severe intoxication. You can protect yourself from insect bites with the help of repellents - products intended for treating skin, clothing and shoes. It is not advisable to apply such preparations to a child’s skin;
eat in trusted establishments or on the hotel premises. It is not advisable to consume food or drinks outside the hotel. When going on excursions, it is better to take food and water with you;
observe personal hygiene rules, wash vegetables and fruits. This will help avoid the development of diarrhea and various intestinal infections;
drink only clean water. You can only buy drinks in bottles. You should not drink tap water, as it may contain pathogens. The same can be said about springs and other natural sources of fresh water;
swim in tourist places. You can only go into the water if you can swim there. You should not plunge into other bodies of water (for example, those found in rural areas), especially if you have open wounds on the body.

Prevention measures

Regardless of whether you have been vaccinated or not, certain safety measures must be observed while staying in a foreign country:

Drink exclusively bottled water that has been printed with your own hands. It is strictly forbidden to quench your thirst from springs and wells. Even in a large hotel you should not order drinks with ice.
You need to be extremely careful with dishes sold by local traders. When trying to try local exotic dishes, you should be prudent. You should not buy food from mobile trays, as well as in cafes where sanitary standards are neglected.
Wash your hands frequently and disinfect them using gels or sprays.
Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly and peel them.
Always use locally produced repellents. They are most effective in protecting against insects. When checking into a hotel, you should make sure that there are mosquito nets on the windows.
Swim only in designated areas. You should not visit the so-called “wild” beaches: the purity of the water there is questionable.
Monitor any changes in your health, not only during travel, but also for three months after returning home: some infections have a long incubation period . At the initial stages of their development, only mild discomfort is noted.

Excursions

Getting stuck in Vietnamese resorts for the entire vacation period is completely wrong. Because in this way it is difficult to feel the exoticism of this country. But you shouldn’t go to extremes, trying to travel around the whole country in a two-week period - new sensations are not always entirely positive.

A reasonable compromise: explore the surrounding area on your own or together with a Russian-speaking guide. Already 20 km from the center of any resort, authenticity and exoticism are in full swing. And if you dare to travel for a day or two, you will have enough impressions until your next vacation!

Diseases of Vietnam: how to protect yourself and what to do if you get sick, are vaccinations needed?

Health and quality issues vary greatly depending on where you are in Vietnam. In large cities the risk of the disease is generally low, although in rural areas it varies. Travelers are generally wary of contracting infectious diseases in Vietnam, but serious illnesses are rare. Accidental injuries (especially in road traffic accidents) are the most common problem.

We will give you some general tips so that you can enjoy your holiday in Vietnam without putting your health at risk.

Before the trip

: - Collect the necessary medications that you take regularly and that were prescribed to you by your doctor, and label them so that you have a clear idea of what these medications are for; — Take with you a certificate about your current health status. - if you carry syringes and needles, take with you a certificate from a doctor stating that you have these items; - make sure that you have a supply of medicines that are vital for you (in case of loss or theft of the main supply).

Travel insurance

Even if you are absolutely healthy, do not forget about travel insurance. Accidents can happen at any time. Please remember that hospital stays in the event of an emergency or evacuation to your home country can incur significant costs. Make sure your insurance covers these costs.