Vietnam is grappling with a sharp rise in measles cases, with nearly 40,000 suspected infections and five related deaths reported since the start of 2025. The Ministry of Health (MoH) has warned that the outbreak is likely to intensify, particularly in vulnerable regions such as mountainous provinces and areas with low vaccination rates. In response, the government has launched an urgent nationwide vaccination campaign, backed by directives from Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, to curb the spread of this preventable disease.
The southern region bears the brunt of the outbreak, accounting for 57% of suspected cases, while significant numbers are also reported in the Central region (19.2%), the north (15.1%), and the Central Highlands (8.7%). Children, especially those aged between nine months and 15 years, make up the majority of cases, with 72.7% of infections in this age group. Alarmingly, 15.3% of cases involve infants under nine months, who are typically too young to be vaccinated.
Speaking at a national conference on measles prevention and control held on 14 March in Hanoi—both in person and online—Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan highlighted the complexity of the situation. She pointed to climate change and seasonal shifts as factors exacerbating the epidemic, making outbreaks harder to predict and control. “Localities must closely monitor and report developments promptly,” she urged, calling for a coordinated effort beyond the health sector to include all levels of government and society. 
A Race Against Time
The urgency of the situation is underscored by Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính’s recent directive, Official Dispatch No 23/CĐ-TTg, which mandates an accelerated vaccination campaign to be completed by the end of March. The MoH has been tasked with ensuring a steady supply of measles vaccines and their timely distribution to localities, particularly in high-risk areas. Additionally, the health sector is working with the Ministry of Finance to secure adequate funding for the campaign.
Hoàng Minh Đức, Director of the Department of Disease Prevention under the MoH, provided a detailed breakdown of the outbreak’s spread. Provinces such as Đà Nẵng (2,043 cases), Gia Lai (1,879), Khánh Hoà (1,661), and Đồng Tháp (1,202) are among the hardest hit. In the northern mountainous province of Cao Bằng, 582 cases have been recorded, while Nghệ An in the Central region reported 737. These figures reflect not only the scale of the outbreak but also the challenges of reaching remote communities, many of which are home to ethnic minority groups with limited access to health services.
One of the critical barriers to containment is the low vaccination rate in parts of the country. Đức noted that community immunity remains below the threshold needed to prevent outbreaks, with some provinces achieving only a 40% vaccination rate. This gap leaves large swathes of the population vulnerable, particularly in areas where healthcare infrastructure is underdeveloped or where vaccine hesitancy persists.
Challenges in High-Risk Areas
Vietnam’s diverse geography and socio-economic disparities play a significant role in the spread of measles. Mountainous regions and the Central Highlands, where access to medical facilities is often limited by poor infrastructure, are particularly at risk. Many ethnic minority communities in these areas face additional barriers, including language differences and a lack of awareness about vaccination programmes. The MoH has prioritised these regions for intervention, urging local authorities to prepare facilities, equipment, and medical supplies to handle potential surges in cases.
The government’s strategy also includes catch-up vaccination drives as part of the expanded immunisation programme, targeting individuals who have not been vaccinated or have incomplete doses. Communication and education efforts are being ramped up, especially in remote, border, island, and ethnic minority areas, to encourage proactive prevention measures. Press agencies have been instructed to provide regular updates on the epidemic and expand public awareness campaigns.
Beyond the health sector, the Ministry of Education and Training has been directed to ensure that schools implement preventive measures. Educational institutions are tasked with monitoring students’ health, reporting suspected cases to medical facilities for quarantine and treatment, and encouraging parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated on time.
Broader Implications for Public Health
The measles outbreak in Vietnam is a stark reminder of the fragility of public health systems in the face of preventable diseases. Measles, a highly contagious viral infection, can be effectively controlled through vaccination, with the World Health Organization recommending a 95% coverage rate to achieve herd immunity. Vietnam’s struggle to meet this target reflects broader challenges in healthcare delivery, particularly in reaching marginalised communities.
If the current vaccination campaign fails to close the immunity gap, the outbreak could have far-reaching consequences, potentially overwhelming healthcare facilities in high-risk areas. There is also the risk of measles spreading to neighbouring countries, given Vietnam’s proximity to Laos, Cambodia, and China, where cross-border movement is common. While no confirmed cases have been linked to international transmission as yet, the possibility remains a concern for regional health authorities.
Analysts suggest that sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure and education is crucial for preventing future outbreaks. “If resources are not allocated to improve access in remote areas, Vietnam may face recurring cycles of preventable diseases,” noted a public health expert based in Hanoi, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to comment officially. Such warnings highlight the need for long-term planning beyond immediate crisis response.
A Call for Collective Action
The government’s response to the measles outbreak demonstrates a commitment to addressing the crisis, with Deputy Prime Minister Lê Thành Long directly overseeing implementation and troubleshooting challenges. The Government Office, in coordination with the MoH, is tasked with reporting any difficulties to Prime Minister Chính to ensure swift resolution.
However, the success of these efforts hinges on collective action. Local authorities, healthcare workers, educators, and the media all have a role to play in raising awareness and ensuring that vaccines reach those who need them most. For communities in remote areas, trust-building measures will be essential to overcome hesitancy and logistical barriers.
As Vietnam races to contain the measles outbreak, the stakes are high. The coming weeks will test the resilience of the country’s public health system and its ability to protect the most vulnerable. With nearly 40,000 suspected cases already reported, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. The hope is that through coordinated efforts and a rapid vaccination rollout, Vietnam can turn the tide against this preventable yet potentially deadly disease.
