The Travel Doctor
Traveller's medical & vaccination centre
Ask The Travel Doctor-TMVC
Q: I am planning a family trip to Vietnam, my husband and I and 2 children, aged 10 and 8. Do we need to take malaria pills, as our GP wasn’t sure?
Susan, Morningside
A: Vietnam is a great country to take a family holiday. There are a few basic medical precautions to be discussed with The Travel Doctor-TMVC, but nothing that can’t be done easily and safely. Malaria does occur in some remote parts of Vietnam, notably in the mountainous border areas with Laos and Cambodia, where some travellers go for trekking.
Most travellers do not do this, or only visit the highlands briefly, and so effectively have no risk of malaria. All the big cities and towns, and all the mainstream tourist areas are malaria-free, so in general, most travellers to Vietnam do not need to take anti-malarial medications. (You still should use repellent to prevent Dengue Fever, also spread by mosquitoes).
Dr John
Disclaimer: Information provided in this health column is of a general nature & should not replace specific advice from your own personal Travel doctor-TMVC consultation.
Not all questions submitted to the website will be answered & Users of this website should always seek the advice of a qualified health professional with any questions they have regarding their health or a medical condition.
