Nobody wants a bowl of Pho, a bite of Banh Mi or a bite from a mosquito to ruin the trip of a lifetime, so plan ahead and get your vaccinations sorted before you make the trip.

This is a rough guide to vaccinations for Vietnam. Some of the vaccinations listed are generally taken care of during childhood so check with your GP to ensure you need the jabs!

• Hepatitis A and B – are separate diseases with a vaccination that can be taken together or separately. Both diseases are pretty awful, so tick this one off!
• Typhoid – highly recommended and transmitted by dodgy food or water. 
• Tetanus, Pertussis & Diphtheria – It’s best to have an updated tetanus jab, and the others come along with the package.
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella – one of the childhood immunisations you might not need, so check your immunisation record with your GP.
• Flu – get a flu shot if you think it’s necessary, or ask your doctor for more information.
• Malaria – inland Vietnam has malaria whilst the coast doesn’t.

There are a couple more that can be recommended but aren’t essential, so again – check with your GP! Ideally, you should organise all this plus a trip to your GP 6 to 8 weeks before your departure. Some vaccinations need two or more shots.

If you are looking into our Ultimate Vietnam trip, then this should point you in the right direction on how to get a visa for travel in Vietnam. It is your responsibility to obtain the correct Visa to enter the country.

There are 3 options to obtain your visa:

• Option 1: Apply in person or via post at your nearest embassy – it means less hassle when arriving in Vietnam, but more expensive.
• Option 2: Get a visa on arrival, which requires a visa invitation letter issued by an authorised agent before you leave home – it seems a little easier and is also cheaper, but you’ll need to queue up when landing to actually have your visa issued.
• Option 3: Apply for an E-Visa online – this is only available to certain nationalities and does not permit you to enter Vietnam through all entry points, only selected ones.

Generally, no visa is required for travel to Vietnam lasting up to 15 days only if you are from one of the following countries: the UK, France, Spain, Germany and Italy (though it's your responsibility to confirm this before you travel).

This Vietnam tour kicks off in Hanoi, and after experiencing Halong Bay on an overnight boat, you'll make your way to Ho Chi Minh via Hoi An and Da Lat. The tour uses a mix of centrally located hostels and hotel partners throughout Vietnam to ensure an authentic and comfortable travel experience.

Accommodation is based on mixed share dorm arrangements. Twin and Private room upgrades are available throughout the itinerary.

It's recommended you have a travel budget of approximately USD30-45 per day for meals when not included in the itinerary.