Travelling to Vietnam is a very interesting experience, with breathtaking landscapes. There is also the opportunity to meet the country's warm and welcoming people. Apart from that, the gastronomy and nature attract tourists from all over the world. Despite these good reasons, it is still necessary to take health precautions to protect yourself. Indeed, there are food-borne diseases as well as mosquitoes in the country. Before travelling, you should consider getting a vaccine for Vietnam to reduce the risk of catching a disease.
Why get a vaccine before going to Vietnam?
It is always important to take care of your health before travelling to a tropical country. There are risks of environmental, insect and animal related diseases. A vaccination certificate for Vietnam is not compulsory, but strongly recommended by the medical profession. Vietnam is one of the countries affected by Zika, a mosquito-borne disease. There is also malaria.
It is therefore necessary to find out about the most common diseases in order to be prepared. To do this, you should start by getting vaccinated at the Pasteur Institute in Lille.
Types of vaccinations to be done
To make your stay in Vietnam exciting and unforgettable, you need to take precautions, including the Vietnam vaccine series. These protect against typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A and are recommended to avoid the risks associated with contaminated food and water.
Vaccines against Japanese encephalitis prevent infection from mosquito bites.
To avoid diseases caught through saliva, bites and scratches from infected animals, a rabies vaccine is required.
Influenza is transmitted through the air by infected people, and also requires a flu vaccine.
Finally, there is the measles vaccine to avoid transmission through contact with infected people.
Other preventions
Apart from vaccination for Vietnam, there are also other preventive measures to be taken before the trip. Good personal hygiene is necessary to avoid any infectious skin problems.
Your clothes should always be clean, airy and suitable for the climate. Prioritise cotton or linen fabrics rather than synthetics.
To prevent malaria, in the absence of a vaccine, you should cover your arms and body, especially at night.