Vietnam vaccines 2026: which ones actually matter

Vietnam vaccines 2026: which ones actually matter

No vaccine is mandatory to travel to Vietnam from France. The country has a typical Southeast Asian health profile, with recommendations that vary by length of stay and the areas visited. Here are the real recommendations, without overstating the risk.

Mandatory vaccine: none (except the yellow fever case)

Vietnam requires no vaccination on entry for a traveler coming directly from France. The one situation that changes things: arriving from a country where yellow fever circulates (parts of sub-Saharan Africa, South America). In that specific case, a vaccination certificate can be requested at health control.

Recommended vaccines, by relevance

Routine French vaccination schedule

Check that your basic vaccines (diphtheria, tetanus, polio, pertussis, measles-mumps-rubella) are up to date before any trip, regardless of destination.

Hepatitis A

This is the most consistently advised vaccine for a Vietnam trip, even a classic Hanoi-Hoi An-Saigon urban circuit. The virus spreads through contaminated water and food, a real risk given how present street food is in everyday Vietnamese life.

• 2 injections, 6 to 12 months apart
• Near-full protection after the 1st dose
• Ideally: 1st injection 2 weeks before departure

Typhoid

Recommended for long stays or trips off the classic tourist circuit (extended itinerant travel, deep rural immersion, the far reaches of the Mekong Delta). For a standard 2 to 3-week stay in major cities, the benefit stays limited.

• 1 injection, booster every 3 years
• Plan 2 weeks before departure

Hepatitis B

Relevant for frequent or extended stays, or in case of expatriation (medical contact, dental care, tattoo on site).

• Full schedule over 1 to 6 months depending on the accelerated or standard protocol
• Useful for long stays and regular back-and-forth trips

Japanese encephalitis

The risk mainly concerns extended rural stays during rainy season, particularly in rice-growing areas of the Mekong Delta or the north. For a classic circuit between major cities, the risk stays low, but the vaccine can be discussed depending on the exact duration and areas of the itinerary.

• 2 doses, 1 month apart
• Mostly worth considering for a rural stay beyond 3-4 weeks

Rabies

An often underrated vaccine, especially for children who tend to approach stray animals (dogs, monkeys at some tourist sites). The preventive vaccine doesn’t remove the need for post-exposure treatment after a bite, but it greatly simplifies it, especially in a rural area far from a medical center.

• 3 doses over about 1 month
• Particularly recommended for families with children and extended rural stays

What deserves individual medical advice

• Malaria: very low risk in classic tourist areas, but present in some remote rural areas, notably the central highlands. Personalized medical advice based on your exact itinerary remains recommended.
• Dengue: present year-round, peaking during rainy season. No routine vaccine recommended for a standard traveler, prevention relies on mosquito protection (repellent, long clothing, mosquito net).

General food and health precautions

• Favor sealed bottled water, avoid ice in rural areas
• Street food in major cities is generally safe if stalls are busy and turnover is fast
• A basic first-aid kit (anti-diarrheal, painkiller, mosquito repellent, bandages) is recommended

When to see a doctor before leaving

Plan a consultation at a travel health clinic or with your doctor 4 to 6 weeks before departure, to allow time to complete multi-dose schedules if needed (hepatitis B, rabies, Japanese encephalitis). For a standard 2 to 3-week stay in major cities and top tourist sites, hepatitis A plus an up-to-date routine schedule cover most cases.

Other practical info Vietnam

• Visa: 45-day exemption for French and EU nationals
• Safety: snatch theft, tourist scams
• Time difference: +5h / +6h from Paris
• Budget: how much to plan per day
• eSIM: connected on arrival

Page written by Marie L., Southeast Asia specialist, editor-in-chief of L’Heure du Voyage. 12 years of experience, regular stays in Vietnam since 2016. Updated: July 29, 2026. Verified by 2 experts.