Measles Prevention Guide for Travelers to Vietnam

Recently, a significant measles outbreak in Vietnam has led to measles cases in Korea imported by travelers returning from Vietnam. While measles is highly preventable through vaccination, it remains extremely contagious, so it’s critical to prepare thoroughly before your trip and stay cautious during travel. This guide provides comprehensive information for travelers – from a basic overview of measles and the current outbreak situation, to vaccination recommendations, pre-travel preparations, precautions during your trip, post-travel steps, and medical facilities in Vietnam and Korea for measles care.

Overview of Measles: Contagion and Symptoms

Measles is an acute exanthematous (rash-causing) respiratory infection caused by the measles virus. It spreads through the air via droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes​. It is one of the most contagious diseases – if a non-immune person is exposed to someone with measles, there is over a 90% chance they will become infected​. After infection, measles has an incubation period of roughly 10 days, then begins with symptoms like high fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). A few days later, a red rash appears, typically starting on the face and spreading over the body​. Small white spots may also be seen inside the mouth (Koplik’s spots), which are characteristic of measles​. Most patients recover without lasting effects, but measles can cause serious complications such as pneumonia, otitis media (ear infection), or encephalitis (brain inflammation). These complications are more likely in infants and people with weakened immune systems, and in rare cases measles can be fatal. In fact, infants under one year old are especially at risk — if they contract measles, they have a high chance of complications like pneumonia​.

The good news is that measles is largely preventable by vaccination​. Even a single dose of measles-containing vaccine (such as the MMR vaccine) provides about 93% protection, and the recommended two doses provide about 97% efficacy in preventing measles infection​. Thanks to widespread immunization, South Korea achieved elimination status for measles and was certified measles-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014​. However, due to ongoing outbreaks in other parts of the world, measles can still be imported into Korea by travelers. Thus, despite elimination status, continued vigilance is necessary to prevent re-establishment of the disease.

 

Current Measles Outbreak: Global and Vietnam Situation

After a lull during the COVID-19 pandemic, measles has been resurging globally in recent years. According to the WHO, the number of measles cases worldwide jumped from about 170,000 in 2022 to 320,000 in 2023, and further to approximately 330,000 in 2024​. Regionally, the highest case counts have been reported in Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean (Middle East), and Africa, but there have also been many cases in the Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regions which are popular destinations for Korean travelers​. In particular, Vietnam is experiencing a notable surge in measles. Official WHO data show that Vietnam reported 2,105 measles cases in 2024, the third highest in the Western Pacific region​. However, this figure likely underestimates the true scope of the outbreak. Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has indicated that tens of thousands of suspected measles cases have occurred. As of early 2025, Vietnam had nearly 40,000 suspected cases of measles and 5 reported deaths since the beginning of the outbreak​. The surge is especially pronounced in areas with lower vaccination rates, such as some mountainous provinces and ethnic minority regions in the north-central and southern parts of the country​. In response, Vietnamese authorities have launched nationwide immunization campaigns and are bolstering their public health response to contain the spread.

In South Korea, all measles cases in recent years have been linked to overseas exposure. In 2024, a total of 49 measles cases were reported in Korea, and 16 cases have been confirmed in 2025 as of early March​. These patients were either infected abroad or caught measles through contact with an imported case​. Notably, of 18 cases reported in Korea from December 2024 to early March 2025, 13 (72%) had traveled to Vietnam shortly before illness onset​. Most of those travelers were unvaccinated or did not have proof of immunity to measles. This demonstrates the current risk: travelers to Vietnam have been the source of most recent measles cases in Korea, underlining the importance of preventive measures for people visiting outbreak areas​.

 

Pre-Travel Preparations: Vaccination and Documentation

Vaccination is the most effective tool to prevent measles, so verifying and updating your immunization is the top priority before traveling to Vietnam or any area with a measles outbreak. Make sure that you (and all travel companions) have received two doses of the measles vaccine at some point in your lives. If you are not fully vaccinated or are uncertain, you should get vaccinated before your trip. Ideally, you would visit a healthcare provider about 4–6 weeks prior to departure to allow time to receive two doses of MMR vaccine, 4 weeks apart​. If you don’t have 6 weeks before travel, even getting a single dose at least 2 weeks before you leave is much better than no protection (one dose provides ~93% protection). If you are traveling with an infant under 12 months of age who has not yet received any measles vaccine, carefully consider the necessity of bringing the baby on the trip. Infants that young are very vulnerable to measles. Health authorities actually advise against travel for infants under one year during a measles outbreak if it can be avoided​. If you must travel with an infant 6–11 months old, arrange for the child to receive the accelerated measles vaccination discussed above, at least 2 weeks before travel​. This will give the baby some temporary immunity for the trip. After you receive any needed vaccinations, it’s a good idea to document your immunization. You can ask your clinic for an International Certificate of Vaccination or at least carry a copy of your vaccination records. While Vietnam does not require proof of measles vaccination for entry, having documentation could be useful if you need to see a doctor abroad – it lets them know your immune status. Also, if you experience any side effects from the vaccine (which are usually mild, like fever or rash), it’s better to have them happen before travel so you can address them with your doctor. Finally, consider additional preparations such as purchasing travel insurance that covers medical care abroad. Vietnam’s medical costs are relatively low, but having travel health insurance can provide access to international clinics or cover emergency medical evacuation if needed. Insurance can also help locate appropriate hospitals and provide translation services in an emergency. Review your policy to ensure it includes coverage for illness like measles and know how to contact your insurer from Vietnam.

 

Precautions During Travel: Hygiene and Infection Prevention

Even after you’ve been vaccinated, you should still practice good hygiene and infection prevention measures during your trip to minimize any risk. While in Vietnam (or any destination), follow these basic precautions:

• Wear a mask in crowded places, such as busy markets, public transportation, or tourist sites. This can help reduce exposure to respiratory droplets.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and running water for at least 30 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer regularly.
• Follow cough etiquette – cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve or a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands afterward.

Measles viruses can linger in the air of an enclosed space for up to two hours after an infected person has left. Therefore, try to avoid close contact with people who appear ill, and whenever possible, choose well-ventilated areas over crowded, poorly ventilated ones. It may not be feasible to completely avoid all crowded attractions, but using a mask and not staying longer than necessary can help lower risk. Also, keep yourself healthy with adequate rest and nutrition during travel, as a strong immune system can offer better protection against infections.

If you develop any symptoms suggestive of measles while in Vietnam – for example, fever, rash, cough, or conjunctivitis – do not ignore them. Seek medical attention at a local clinic or hospital as soon as possible. Call ahead if you can, to inform them of your symptoms, so they can prepare isolation measures. When going to the medical facility, make sure to wear a mask and avoid public transportation to prevent potentially spreading the virus to others​. Isolating yourself is important: if you are in a tour group, inform your guide and avoid contact with others until you have seen a doctor. Most large cities in Vietnam have international hospitals or clinics where staff can speak English and handle infectious diseases. (We will list some major hospitals in the next section.) Early medical evaluation can ensure you get supportive care and also help confirm if it is measles so that local health authorities can respond appropriately.

 

Post-Travel Measures: Monitoring and Reporting

Even after returning home, remain vigilant for symptoms because measles can develop up to 1–2 weeks after exposure. The incubation period ranges roughly 7 to 21 days, so you should continue to monitor your health for about two weeks after returning from Vietnam. If you experience fever, rash, or other measles-like symptoms after coming back to Korea, take the following steps:

• If you already feel sick upon arrival at the airport (fever, rash, etc.), inform the quarantine officer at the point of entry immediately​. Measles has been designated a quarantinable disease in Korea since January 2024​. This means that at the airport, quarantine staff are prepared to handle such cases. They may assess you and, if measles is suspected, arrange for you to be transported directly to a medical facility that can isolate and treat you. In Korea, if you are confirmed to have a quarantinable disease like measles through this process, the government will cover the cost of treatment​.
• If you only develop symptoms after you have already returned home (for example, a few days after arrival), contact a hospital or clinic by phone before visiting and let them know your symptoms and your recent travel history​. By calling ahead, the medical staff can make arrangements to see you promptly and safely (possibly directing you to an isolation room upon arrival). When you go for medical care, wear a mask and avoid using public transport. Once at the medical facility, be sure to inform the doctor that you recently traveled to Vietnam. This information is crucial for proper diagnosis and response. If measles is suspected, healthcare providers in Korea are required to report it immediately to the local public health center, so that public health measures (such as contact tracing and notification) can be initiated.
• While waiting for medical evaluation or test results, isolate yourself at home as much as possible to avoid spreading the illness. Do not go to work, school, or public places if you suspect you might have measles. Measles patients are considered most contagious from about 4 days before rash onset until 4 days after the rash appears. During this period, strict isolation is advised. Follow any instructions given by healthcare providers or public health officials about isolation or quarantine.

By adhering to these post-travel precautions, you help protect your family, coworkers, and community from potential exposure. It’s always better to err on the side of caution with measles. If your illness turns out not to be measles, no harm done – but if it is, these steps can prevent a larger outbreak.

 

Major Medical Facilities in Vietnam for Measles Treatment

Vietnam’s larger cities have several well-equipped hospitals that are capable of treating measles and other infectious diseases. If you or someone in your travel party gets sick with measles in Vietnam, it’s important to go to a hospital that can isolate the patient and provide proper care. Here are a few major hospitals in Vietnam that travelers can turn to for measles care (with emphasis on those known to have infectious disease departments or international services):

• Hanoi – Bach Mai Hospital (Bệnh viện Bạch Mai): One of the top and largest general hospitals in Hanoi, Bach Mai has a Center for Tropical Diseases and extensive experience treating infectious diseases​. It is a leading facility for adults – during the current outbreak, Bach Mai’s infectious disease center has managed numerous adult measles cases, including severe cases requiring intensive care.
  Vietnam National Children’s Hospital (Bệnh viện Nhi Trung ương): This is the premier pediatric hospital in Vietnam, located in Hanoi. It specializes in children’s health and has been at the forefront of treating pediatric measles cases – nearly 2,700 measles patients (mostly children) have been treated there since 2024​. tuoitrenews.vn  If a child traveler falls ill with measles, this hospital has the expertise and facilities (including isolation wards) for proper care.
• Ho Chi Minh City – Hospital for Tropical Diseases, HCMC (Bệnh viện Bệnh Nhiệt đới TP.HCM): This is a major infectious disease hospital in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and the leading tropical medicine hospital in southern Vietnam. It is well-known for its capability in managing communicable diseases like dengue, COVID-19, and of course measles. Both adults and children can receive treatment here, and the hospital is experienced in outbreak situations.
  Chợ Rẫy Hospital (Bệnh viện Chợ Rẫy): Cho Ray is the largest general hospital in Ho Chi Minh City and one of the oldest in Vietnam. It is not specialized in infectious diseases per se, but as a big tertiary hospital it has isolation facilities and an intensive care unit that can handle severe measles complications. Many expatriates and travelers also use Cho Ray for emergency care. The hospital has an international department and often coordinates with international insurance. During outbreaks, Cho Ray often works alongside the Hospital for Tropical Diseases to manage patient load.

(In addition to the above, other cities like Đà Nẵng also have major hospitals such as Đà Nẵng General Hospital or international hospitals where travelers can seek care. It’s wise for travelers to research the nearest reputable hospital at each destination. Clinics like Family Medical Practice in Hanoi, Danang, and HCMC can also assist foreigners and coordinate hospital transfers if needed.)

Key Hospitals in Korea for Measles Treatment (Seoul, Gyeonggi, Busan Regions)

Fortunately, measles cases are quite rare in Korea thanks to high vaccination coverage. However, in the event that a case does occur, major hospitals are prepared to isolate and treat patients to prevent any spread. Measles is classified as a Category 2 Notifiable Infectious Disease in Korea, which means suspected cases must be reported immediately and patients often require isolation hospitalization. If you become ill with measles in Korea, or suspect it, you will typically be treated in an isolation unit of a large general hospital, often one that has negative-pressure rooms for infection control.

 

In the Seoul metropolitan area, the National Medical Center (NMC) in Seoul is a key facility often involved in treating and isolating patients with contagious diseases. Also, big university hospitals in Seoul (such as Seoul National University Hospital, Samsung Medical Center, etc.) and in Gyeonggi Province (e.g., Bundang Seoul National University Hospital) have infectious disease specialists and the capacity to handle measles cases safely. In the Busan/Gyeongnam region, a representative facility is Busan National University Hospital, which has isolation rooms and has managed notifiable diseases including measles. Likewise, other regional academic hospitals and municipal medical centers across the country are designated or equipped for infectious disease care.

 

Each province in Korea has at least one designated hospital with national isolation beds for infectious diseases, as part of the country’s public health preparedness system. For example, during any outbreak, patients may be directed to those facilities to ensure proper containment. For the general public, this means if you suspect measles, you should go to a large hospital or contact public health authorities, and you will be guided to the appropriate facility​. For practical purposes, if you are in Korea and develop measles symptoms after travel, you can visit a well-equipped general hospital (in Seoul or other cities) – just remember to call ahead and wear a mask as noted. The medical staff will handle the necessary reporting and transfer if required. Rest assured that Korea’s healthcare system is well-prepared to handle such cases while minimizing the risk of further transmission.

If you develop symptoms of measles after entering South Korea from Vietnam, please contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) 24-hour hotline at 1339.