What vaccinations do you need before traveling to Vietnam?

The dengue vaccine Qdenga is available in Vietnam — contrary to popular belief, it's not only for those who already had dengue, but also for those who haven't. Approved for children 4+ and adults. Schedule: 2 doses, 3 months apart. Since reinfection with a different dengue serotype can be more severe, discussing vaccination with a doctor at a vaccination center is worth considering, especially if a prior dengue diagnosis wasn't confirmed by lab tests. Details on the VNVC vaccination center network website.

Before moving to or visiting Vietnam, the priority is ensuring routine vaccinations are current for both adults and children: MMR (measles/mumps/rubella), tetanus/diphtheria, polio, and chickenpox. No exotic or mandatory tropical vaccines are required for entry.

Tetanus boosters are recommended every 10 years for adults. If it has been longer, a booster before travel is advisable. That said, vaccinations are not mandatory for entry into Vietnam.

A full list of additionally recommended vaccines for Vietnam travelers (hepatitis A, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, etc.) is available on the CDC website. These are not entry requirements but recommendations based on itinerary and trip duration.