Staying Healthy
Travel Health Advisory Report
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Viet Nam
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Embassy Information
Australian Embassy
8 Dao Tan Street
Ba Dinh District Hanoi
N/A
ph: 84-4 831 7755
fax: 84-4 831 7711
General Information
Language: Vietnamese (official), French, English, Khmer, and Chinese. Capital City: Hanoi (pop. 2.2 million). Largest City: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City - pop. 4 million). Population: 75 million.
Vietnam occupies the eastern and southern part of the Indo-Chinese Peninsula, with the South China Sea along its entire coast. China is to the north and Laos and Cambodia to the west. Heavily forested mountains and plateau regions dominate the country. The Mekong River delta lies in the south and the Red River delta in the north. This long, narrow country covers over 300,000 sq kms.
The climate varies from north to south. In the north there are two distinct seasons: a cold, humid winter from November to April, and warm and wet from May to October with occasional typhoons. In the south, the climate is warm to hot in March, April and May with April to October the wet season (particularly June to September). December and January are the coolest months, with temperatures around 24C.
Cholera Information
Cholera is currently reported in this
country. It may also be listed by WHO as infected with cholera.
The Travel Doctor TMVC does not generally recommend vaccination.
The current whole - cell vaccine is poorly protective and has high
rates of side effects. The new oral cholera vaccination is being
evaluated and may be of benefit for long term residents in regions
where cholera is endemic. Care with food and beverage selection
is far more important than vaccination.
Cholera vaccination is not subject to International Health Regulations
for any country however there are a few border crossings in Africa
where customs officials may seek a certificate of vaccination.
The disease cholera is caused by a food and water borne bacteria.
The organism is found widely in the developing world, mostly in
areas where sanitation infrastructure is lacking. It is estimated
that only 1 in 500,000 travellers will have symptomatic illness.
Malaria Information
Risk (WHO):
Malaria risk - predominantly due to P. falciparum - exists in the whole country, excluding urban centres, the Red River delta, and the coastal plain areas of central Viet Nam. Highrisk areas are the highland areas below 1500 m south of 18°N, notably in the 4 central highlands provinces Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Gia Lai and Kon Tum, Binh Phuoc province, and the western parts of the coastal provinces, Quang Tri, Quang Nam, Ninh Thuan and Khanh Hoa. Resistance to chloroquine, sulfadoxine - pyrimethamine and mefl oquine reported.
Yellow Fever Information
Yellow Fever does not occur in this country.
Country Requirements (WHO):
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age coming from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Department of Foreign Affairs Travel Advice
For the most current Travel Advisories please visit The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs website at
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au.
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