Travelling to Vietnam

[banu]

We are off to Vietnam at XMas for 2 weeks, 2 adults and 2 young boys (7 and 5) :idiot2:.
Any edc suggestions would be greatly appreciated. :)

[carlo$]

lots of handiwipes.
get your shots.
toys and DVDs for the kids for the trip.
Hopefully we have some people from VietNam in this forum so they can give you advise.

Have a great trip.

[El Verbo]

Taking from carlo$' lead: water, small knife and torch BUT also include map of area if you're new to the area. On this map, highlight American Embassy and jot down their emergency number, your hotel's courtesy desk, AND medical contact for American Tourists.

[surespyder]

Water bottles. It's hot at this time of year and you are going to need more than you do at home. I live in Hong Kong and I'm used to the South-East Asian climate. You might also want a bandana/towel if you're a heavy sweater like I am. Umbrellas too, as rainfall at this time of year can get heavier than anything you'll ever see in the US, and fast. Sunglasses too, as on a sunny day, the light intensity will have you seriously squinting or hiding in the shade. :)

I would also have a cell phone handy in case you need help. A whistle would be a good thing to have too. Where in Vietnam are you going? You might want to take along some medication for upset stomachs/diarrhea, especially if you're going to be sampling the local food. Toilet paper might be a good thing to have handy too, although I guess you can always use Wet Wipes in a pinch.

Then again, if you're doing the five-star hotel thing, you're not going to have to worry about wiping your rear as there will be plenty of toilet paper around. lol

One more thing: maybe a calculator if you want to work out exchange rates, although nowadays most cell phones have calculator functions built in.

[bob_the_bomb]

Water bottles. It's hot at this time of year and you are going to need more than you do at home. I live in Hong Kong and I'm used to the South-East Asian climate. You might also want a bandana/towel if you're a heavy sweater like I am. Umbrellas too, as rainfall at this time of year can get heavier than anything you'll ever see in the US, and fast. Sunglasses too, as on a sunny day, the light intensity will have you seriously squinting or hiding in the shade. :)

I would also have a cell phone handy in case you need help. A whistle would be a good thing to have too. Where in Vietnam are you going? You might want to take along some medication for upset stomachs/diarrhea, especially if you're going to be sampling the local food. Toilet paper might be a good thing to have handy too, although I guess you can always use Wet Wipes in a pinch.

Then again, if you're doing the five-star hotel thing, you're not going to have to worry about wiping your rear as there will be plenty of toilet paper around. lol

One more thing: maybe a calculator if you want to work out exchange rates, although nowadays most cell phones have calculator functions built in.



________________________

HI. This all makes sense, and although I dont live in Vietnam now I was working there just a few months ago.

You should have hats if you are in the south, as it will still be hot there.

sunblock

Bug spray at night. Try to buy something called 'tiger balm' when you are there, it is great for mosquito bites!

Dont leave your hotel without the hotel's business card so that you can show it to taxi drivers.

They wont take dollars easily or credit cards except in the big cities and banks, so you will need to change for Dong. Rate when I was there was about 16000 to one dollar but VN has had 25% inflation this year.

You wont find sit down toilets in the countryside so be prepared!

There are KFC etc in the big towns but DO try the local food. Ask for Pho (pronounced 'fur") Ga. It is a really nice chicken noodle soup. There is a big chain in VN called Pho 24 and they are clean and safe.

If you are in the north (ie Hanoi) it will be cold at christmas so take sweaters or a coat. No such problem in the south

Take enough meds or special toiletries that you need. It is possible to find the stuff that you need but a bit of a hassle and in the countryside almost impossible

[hiho9]

i wonder if there "tiger balm" is the same we get in the uk. glass jar with gold coloured lid. 4 for 99p

[bob_the_bomb]

i wonder if there "tiger balm" is the same we get in the uk. glass jar with gold coloured lid. 4 for 99p


Tiger balm is good stuff and great for mosquito bites. Best version (for EDC) comes in little plastic pots about 1 inch by 1/2 inch. They contain it in a liquid form soaked into cotton wool. Much easier to carry than the glass jars. May even have firelighting poss but I havent tried it yet!

Bob

[hiho9]

there's about 6 jars knocking about the house somewhere, but i didn't spot it in the 99p store yesterday. in the chemist it was £4.29 for one :O