Vaccines for Traveling to Asia: The Complete Guide

10+ Asia Countries Open for Tourism without Quarantine in 2022

After two years of waiting, international travel is gradually reopening. Now, more and more Asian countries are open for tourism without quarantine. It is time to plan a “post-COVID” Asian trip. Here are some of the best and most searched Asian countries opening up:

1. Thailand

Koh Samui, Thailand

Thailand is the most popular destination after the reopening of Asian countries because of its increasingly relaxed requirements, rich tourism charms, and convenient visa policy, especially for European and American travelers.

From October 1, 2022, Thailand has lifted all COVID-related entry requirements. That means you can travel to Thailand without any restrictions, as it did before the pandemic. Just contact us if you are planning a trip to Thailand.

Thailand Visa Requirements

Thailand offers visa-free access to 56 countries/regions, including Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Norway, the USA, and the UK.

If your country is not on the visa-free countries list, you can apply online here.

Thailand also has Visas on Arrival (VOA), which apply to certain countries like China, India, and Romania.

Recommended Thailand Tours

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2. Vietnam

Not to be outdone, Vietnam, one of Southeast Asia’s most popular destinations, also fully opened for international travelers without quarantine.

From May 15, Vietnam lifted all entry restrictions. Testing and vaccine certification are no longer required. But travelers should purchase medical/travel insurance covering Covid-19 treatment (minimum cover USD10,000). Downloaded PC-Covid mobile app (Apple/Google Play) is also required.

Vietnam Visa Requirements

Hoi An Ancient Town, Vietnam

Visitors from 22 countries may enter visa free, including the UK, France, Italy, and Germany.

If you’re from America, Canada, Australia, or about 80 other countries not on the list for visa-free entry, the most convenient way to enter is to apply for an e-visa online.

If your country is not in the list for visa exemptions or e-visas, you will need to apply for a Visa Approval Letter in order to obtain a visa on arrival or a visa via a Vietnamese Embassy.

Recommended Vietnam Tours

3. Cambodia

Since Cambodia reopened in late 2021, its entry requirements have relaxed gradually. From July 11, whether you are vaccinated or not, you can visit Cambodia without quarantine. The mysterious and splendid Angkor Wat is waiting for you!

• For fully-vaccinated travelers, a vaccination certificate is required.
• For non-vaccinated travelers, a rapid test on arrival is required.

Cambodia Visa Requirements

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Similar to other Southeast Asian countries, like Thailand and Vietnam, Cambodia requires travelers from other countries to apply for an e-visa.

Recommended Cambodia Tours

4. India

India opened up to tourism with relaxed requirements from February 14, 2022. All travelers can enter India whether they are vaccinated or not. The entry requirements include:

• Random post-arrival testing (sampling rate: 2%)
• Download a health monitoring app (Aarogya Setu) from Apple Store or Google Play before departure
• Nucleic acid test within 72 hours before departure if you are not fully vaccinated (no need if you are fully vaccinated)

India Visa Requirements

Taj Mahal

India only offers visa-free access to certain countries like Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives. Travelers from other countries/regions need to apply for a tourist e-visa. >>>Latest Asia Visas, Southeast Asia Visas Requirements

Recommended India Tours

5. Nepal

From March 14, 2022, Nepal has eased its entry requirements. All international visitors can go to Nepal whether they are vaccinated or not.

• For fully-vaccinated travelers, a vaccination certificate is required.
• For non-vaccinated travelers, a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours of travel is required.

Nepal Visa Requirements

Kathmandu

Travelers need a visa to enter Nepal, however, Nepal makes getting a tourist visa quite simple by offering a visa on arrival option.

You can get a visa on arrival by providing vaccination certificate or present a negative PCR test result. >>>How to apply for a Visa for Nepal

6. Laos

Laos has announced a full reopening with no testing and no travel restrictions for vaccinated travelers. Everything else, including visas and entry procedures, has returned to pre-COVID norms.

• For fully-vaccinated travelers, a vaccination certificate is required.
• For non-vaccinated travelers, a negative ATK test result within 48 hours of departure is required.

Laos Visa Requirements

Wat Xieng Thong

Laos’ visa-free policy mostly applies to Asian countries like Thailand and Singapore.

Other countries can apply an e-visa or visa on arrival.

Recommended Laos Tours

7. Myanmar

Myanmar announced its full reopening in October 2022 with no testing and no travel restrictions for vaccinated travelers.

• A vaccination certificate or a negative RT-PCR test within 48 hours of travel
• A RDT test on arrival
• COVID-19 insurance provided by Myanmar Insurance

Myanmar Visa Requirements

Shwedagon Pagoda

Except for a few Southeast Asian countries, Myanmar requires a visa to enter. The easiest way to get a Myanmar visa is via its online e-visa system.

Recommended Myanmar Tours

8. Indonesia

Indonesia updated its entry requirements on July 17, 2022:

• If you have completed your booster shot, there is no need for pre-departure testing.
• If you have completed two shots, you should show a ngative rapid antigen test within 24 hours or a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours.
• If you only have completed one shot, you should show a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours.
• If you cannot be vaccinated for a specific reason, you should show a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours and a doctor’s certificate from a government hospital.

Indonesia Visa Requirements

Bali

All EU citizens, US citizens, and citizens of most other nations can visit Indonesia without a visa for up to 30 days.

Recommended Bali Tours

9. Singapore

Singapore cancelled all COVID-19 testing for fully-vaccinated travelers, bringing the country almost back to its pre-pandemic status.

For unvaccinated or not fully-vaccinated travelers, pre-departure test within 48 hours is needed.

All the travelers need to submit the SG Arrival Card with an electronic Health Declaration before aarival.

Singapore Visa Requirements

Merlion Park

Most visitors (EU, UK, US, Australia, Norway, South Korea, and Switzerland citizens) can enter Singapore without a visa and are granted 30–90 days visa-free entry, depending on their nationality.

10. Philippines

At present, the Philippines has one of the easiest and most convenient entry procedures in Asia. You will only need:

• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination

Philippines Visa Requirements

Citizens of most nationalities do not need a visa to enter the Philippines, and this is inclusive of all citizens of EU countries, the US, Australia, Russia, and South American countries.

11. Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka announced that fully-vaccinated visitors don’t need pre-departure COVID-19 PCR or rapid antigen tests from March 1, 2022. The entry requirements include:

• Vaccination certificate
• Insurance covering COVID-19 costs of at least US$50,000

Sri Lanka Visa Requirements

Sri Lanka

Most visitors to Sri Lanka need to apply for a visa. The easiest way is to get an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) online. ETA holders will be issued a 30-day short-visit visa at the port of entry in Sri Lanka.

12. Japan

Japan now fully reopened to all the international travelers. Now you can visit Japan with or without a guide.

Japan Visa Requirements

Kyoto

Japan has restored the visa-waiver system since October 11th, 2022. If your country is in the list of Exemption of Japan Visa like Australia, Canada, USA, UK and almost all European nations, you can visit Japan without applying for a visa in advance.

Feel free to contact us to plan your dream travel.

Recommended Japan Tours

13. South Korea

South Korea announced that travelers, whether vaccinated or not, don’t need to quarantine from June 8. The entry requirements still include:

• A negative RT-PCR test result within 48 hours before departure
• RT-PCR test within 24 hours after arrival

South Korea Visa Requirements

Gyeongbok Palace

Passport holders from 96 countries/regions, including Canada, European Union citizens, the USA, the UK, Singapore, and Japan, enjoy visa exemption when visiting South Korea, but need to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) online.

14. Bhutan

Bumthang

Bhutan plans to fully open its doors to international travelers from September 2022, without quarantine. But currently, it still requires a 5-day quarantine for travelers.

Recommended Bhutan Tours

15. China

The Great Wall

China is still closed to inbound tourism. Hong Kong has reopened to international travelers, but quarantine is required. Check out more on our China Travel Restrictions 2022, When Will China Open Its Borders?

Restart Your Travel with Us

It is important to us that you feel comfortable and safe during your visit, and we will respect and do our best to accommodate any requests or decisions you make regarding your travels. Contact us to plan your trip when you are ready. All our tours are fully customizable. Here are some popular itineraries:

Why Travel with Asia Highlights During the Pandemic

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At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. Not just any journey, but the unique trip with the exceptional experiences you’re looking for — whether it’s a family vacation, a honeymoon, or your annual break. more .

Vaccines for Traveling to Asia: The Complete Guide

This article gives an informative list of the vaccines necessary for traveling to China, East Asia and Southeast Asia.

Vaccines for Asia – Table of Contents

Before anything else, it is essential that you book an appointment with a specialist doctor at an approved international vaccination center or at a travel clinic (many public and private hospitals have one), preferably two months in advance of your departure date.

These are the only types of centers where you will receive up-to-date and detailed advice on all of the vaccines recommended for your trip.

General situation of vaccines

I’m sure you can remember some of the controversies around vaccination that have arisen over the past decades. In the mid-1990s, a renowned British scientist concluded that the measles vaccine could trigger diseases such as autism or colitis.

Despite the fact that he was accused of data falsification and fraud in 2010, he currently has thousands of followers who support him across the globe, through the ever-expanding anti-vaccine movement.

However, official bodies such as the WHO, the pharmaceutical industry, the scientific community, and governments actively support and promote vaccination, in line with the conclusions of the latest science on the subject.

If we cast aside the political and economic interests that can be hidden behind these types of scandals, on the individual level, it is important to consider the risks of not getting vaccinated for potentially lethal diseases before making any decision.
You also have to keep in mind that some vaccinations are subject to international regulations, such as the yellow fever vaccine. This means that countries have the power to require visitors to demonstrate that they have been vaccinated in accordance with national regulations if they want to enter the country.

This vaccine is only given at authorized international vaccination centers (check here for the list of centers in US), which provide you with an international vaccination certificate (also called a “yellow card”) recognized across the globe.

In any event, you will have to set aside a portion of your budget for vaccines, but keep in mind that the majority of these are for life, and in the worst case, you will have to remember to get a booster shot after a few years.

On the other hand, a distinction must be made between ordinary vaccination (the vaccination normally provided by governments following a specific schedule) and international vaccination (which is done when people go to another country).

Although there are slight variations, the vaccines normally given to the population in the majority of countries are the following: hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, measles, rubella, and chickenpox.

It is very important to possess and periodically go over both vaccination histories (ordinary and international). Keep in mind that a large quantity of money and effort continues to be invested in improving existing vaccines and creating new ones.

Sometimes new evidence is published recommending changes in the period of effectiveness of a vaccine or in the frequency at which booster shots should be given, for example. Because of this, before any international trip, you should consider booking an appointment with a specialist to check that you are up-to-date with all of your vaccines.

Most common international vaccines for traveling to East Asia and Southeast Asia

This table shows the vaccines recommended for traveling to Asia by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading institution in the world in terms of international vaccination.

To summarize, the most commonly recommended vaccines are typhoid fever, tetanus, and hepatitis A and B. The latter is routinely given in many countries, but in any case, carefully go over your medical records and vaccination cards.

If you are not up to date, the best thing to do is to check with your family doctor. It’s possible to find out which vaccines you have through a blood test (which looks for the presence of antibodies).

Returning to the table, whether or not to get optional vaccines will depend on your itinerary, the duration of your trip, the sanitary conditions of your destination country, your age and your state of health, as well as the type of trip you are planning (adventure, business, volunteer work, family, etc.).

Because of this, it’s important to manage your vaccines long enough in advance, because in addition to potential waiting lists at authorized centers, some vaccines take up to three weeks to become effective.

Because of this, as suggested at the beginning of this article, the best thing is to start the procedure two months before your trip.

Other diseases to consider

Yellow fever

This is a notifiable disease according to international regulations and is transmitted via the bite of an infected mosquito. “Notifiable” means that it is necessary to demonstrate that you are vaccinated to enter certain countries.

China and countries in Southeast Asia require travelers coming from countries endemic with yellow fever to present their international vaccination card containing the vaccination against this tropical illness at customs.

Because the vaccine takes ten days to become effective, vaccination is only considered legal once this time period has elapsed. Currently, a single injectable dose gives immunity for your entire life.

Malaria

This is a disease that affects almost all tropical countries, including those of Southeast Asia and some of the southern provinces of China (but not Hong Kong and Macau). Just like yellow fever, it is transmitted through mosquito bites, but as opposed to yellow fever, there is currently no effective vaccine available for it.

What does exist is a preventive medication that can help mitigate the symptoms of malaria (in the event of infection). However, you should be aware that even by taking this medication, the possibility of developing malaria is not eliminated completely.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the strains of the parasite that cause illness vary from one region to another. Therefore, your route should be as clearly defined as possible in order for you to inform the international vaccination center of it.

This center is the only place where you will get precise recommendations on the prophylactic treatment of choice for the strain that you may encounter along your itinerary.

On the other hand, the majority of urban areas in the region are malaria-free. Therefore, if there isn’t a tangible risk, it’s most likely that your doctor won’t prescribe this treatment for you. The dosage schedule is strict and is followed before, during and after the trip, and the treatment is known for its side effects.

Dengue

This is a viral infection once again transmitted by mosquito bites. It is also present in the majority of countries in Southeast Asia. It does not have a vaccine, and prevention is exclusively based on protection against mosquito bites.

This virus is fairly similar to the dengue virus. Zika also carries the recommendation that pregnant women abstain from traveling to countries where cases of Zika have been recorded. The transmission of the virus to fetal blood can cause irreversible damage.

Coronavirus Covid-19

Currently, there is no vaccine for the new coronavirus (COVID-19). However, and due to the global impact that this epidemic is having, the epicenter of which is in Wuhan (China), the scientific community is currently searching for an effective vaccine.

In any event, it is not expected to see the light of day for at least a year. Up until then, people are recommended to take extreme measures to avoid contagion, which takes place via inhalation. These measures include avoiding traveling to areas that are active hotbeds of disease transmission.

Currently, countries in Southeast Asia do not have restrictions on travelers related to the coronavirus. In any event, and considering the speed at which the virus is propagating, it is a good idea to confirm the current number of cases in the country that you plan to visit.

Last of all, you should keep in mind that some countries are applying restrictions to travelers coming from China. Therefore, check the order of your itinerary to avoid problems at customs.

Precautions after your trip

Some infectious diseases do not present immediately, and can even show up a long time after you go back home. For any symptoms, it’s best to go to your family doctor and inform them of your itinerary and the dates of all of your trips over the past 12 months.

Photo Credits: Photo by fotoblend on Pixabay

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Travel Vaccine Advice for a Trip to Southeast Asia

What Vaccines Do I Need for Traveling to Southeast Asia?

Home to Jakarta, Indonesia; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; and Bangkok, Thailand, Southeast Asia is a very popular destination for travelers. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, almost 40 million tourists visited Thailand, more than 26 million vacationed in Malaysia, and over 19 million spent time in Singapore.

If you plan to visit Southeast Asia in the coming months, there are some precautions you should take to make sure you stay safe and healthy on your journey. Let’s discuss recommended vaccinations and other tips to help make sure you bring only happy memories back from your trip.

Recommended Vaccinations

In general, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following vaccinations before traveling to Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam:

The CDC also recommends travelers update their routine vaccinations for the following diseases:

Southeast Asia Traveling Tips

Updating your vaccines is just one way to protect yourself from disease while traveling. Here are some other tips to follow when wandering through the beautiful countries, cities, and towns of Southeast Asia.

Avoid Contaminated Water

Different areas of the world have different standards for their water. Some countries in Southeast Asia are at a higher risk of having contaminated water. This can cause travelers’ diarrhea — a bacterial infection that can be very serious for older adults or people with chronic diseases.

When traveling, a good rule of thumb is to always drink bottled water. And if you must drink tap water, make sure you have a filter to use to help remove any bacteria before drinking.

Watch Out for Bugs

Bugs such as mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks can carry a variety of diseases such as zika, dengue, and chikungunya. As many areas of Southeast Asia have high humidity or are on the coast, these types of bugs can be more prevalent.

Protect yourself from these bugs by wearing long-sleeved clothing whenever possible, as well as a hat to protect your head. Try to sleep only in closed rooms with air conditioning or with a bed net. And use insect repellent if possible to help ward off unwanted insects.

Practice Healthy Habits

Whether it’s on a plane, train, taxi cab, boat, or subway, travelers are always exposed to more germs than anyone really wants to think about. Keep yourself healthy by keeping up with some simple healthy habits:

• Wash your hands all the time, especially before eating.
• Keep hand sanitizer with you in case you do not have access to soap and water.
• Try not to touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.

If you’ll be traveling to Southeast Asia and need to update your vaccinations, call or book online to schedule your appointment today.

Written for Passport Health by Corrie Pelc. Corrie Pelc is a freelance writer in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She has a passion for health and wellness, having written for publications including Exceptional Parent, DAYSPA, INVISION, Eyecare Professional, and Hepatitis Magazine.

About Us

Passport Health’s blog provides travelers and travel enthusiasts with a variety of news and features. We focus on bringing the most interesting and relevant stories right to our readers. Topics range from the vaccines needed for a destination to updates on recent outbreaks, travel advice and much more. Feel free to check out some of our most popular posts, linked in the sidebar, or our most recent posts below

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Source https://www.passporthealthglobal.com/2022/06/travel-vaccine-advice-for-a-trip-to-southeast-asia/