Vietnam and Cambodia

[woodstock]

Has anyone traveled here?

Backroads (the tour group I took to Norway) has a really interesting tour over the winter...

 

[AdamZ]

My sister took a side trip to Vietnam on her business trip to Singapore. She said it was beautiful but Hot and Humid as hell. I can put you in touch with here if you want.

 

[Henning]

Has anyone traveled here?

Backroads (the tour group I took to Norway) has a really interesting tour over the winter...

There are some beautiful and interesting things to be seen, but it is definitely third world Asia. Get all your shots including Rabies.

 

[woodstock]

Thanks Adam. If I do this, it would be winter (here, anyway). Did she go at that time?

Henning, thanks for that advice. Rabies too, huh?

I've been to Peru (including Sacred Valley). Is it that third world, or worse/better?

This tour is going to be high level so we will be staying at nice places. For what that is worth.

 

[Dave Siciliano]

I was in several places in the south: late 60s and early 70s. Wasn't very touristy then (g).

Best,

Dave

 

[Tom-D]

Has anyone traveled here?.

Yes 1963-1969 on and off weren't a nice place then, some say it has changed.

 

[SCCutler]

I have been to Peru, and did no feel like it was third-worldy at all; was treated very well there (though many roads were unpaved).

Sort of suspect that, outside developed areas, Vietnam might still be a little iffy.

In any event, I am not yet ready to spend US dollars to support that country's regime; friends' names carved in black granite and all that.

 

[Henning]

Thanks Adam. If I do this, it would be winter (here, anyway). Did she go at that time?

Henning, thanks for that advice. Rabies too, huh?

I've been to Peru (including Sacred Valley). Is it that third world, or worse/better?

This tour is going to be high level so we will be staying at nice places. For what that is worth.

We ended up doing about 13 vaccinations for the region and yes, including rabies, apparently it's rampant there. The main issue with rabies as it was explained to me is that if you get the 3 shot series then you don't need the starter dosage of some globulin or something they have to give you if you get injected post exposure, and that stuff is rare as hens teeth in Asia. If you have the three pre exposure doses then you just get 2 more of those post exposure and you're done. Japanese Encephalitis was another one that was deemed as critical. The only shot I remember that WASN'T on the list for the region was Yellow Fever, and if you plan on going to Africa in the future, you might as well get that one too. Give some lead time as well, Rabies and Jap Enc are both multiple dose inoculations. We waited too long before departure, and I had to give myself and the crew our follow up dosages while underway.

 

[TedR3]

I was in Cambodia a couple of years ago. It was amazing. Do not miss the chance to go.

It is very much third world. In economic terms, Cambodia very much lags behind its neighbors Vietnam and Thailand.

The people are very nice and seem to hold no ill will toward Americans (or anyone else). The food is good. Don't drink the water or eat raw vegetables, but cold beer is always available.

I would avoid going in a large group. You can get around on your own without too much problems. Hiring of cars and guides is cheap.

 

[TedR3]

Get all your shots including Rabies.

Go to a "travel medicine" specialist and they will explain what you need or don't need and the various risks involved.

Be prepared to pay though. None of the shots were covered by my insurance.

 

[Henning]

Go to a "travel medicine" specialist and they will explain what you need or don't need and the various risks involved.

Be prepared to pay though. None of the shots were covered by my insurance.

Yep, boss sent us to the best travel medicine guy in Aus...

 

[Sac Arrow]

I spend four months of the year in that area for work. PM me if you want more information.

 

[wsuffa]

Go to a "travel medicine" specialist and they will explain what you need or don't need and the various risks involved.

Be prepared to pay though. None of the shots were covered by my insurance.

+1. There are some here in the DC area ( http://www.travelhealthresource.com/clinics/VIRGINIA.asp ) - I was living in Cincinnati when I did a trip that needed innoculations & I used the same clinic that many of the P&G execs used. Still carry the yellow card as it's a very handy way to keep track of what you've been innoculated against (and when renewals are due).

A good friend of mine has been going to Vietnam for years (for business). He loves it. The french culture is still evident, especially in Ho Chi Minh CIty (Saigon) & Hanoi. The cities are not "third-world", but parts of the country are. Cambodia is definitely third-world. Angkor Wat is supposed to be pretty impressive (from what friends have told me).

 

[ScottM]

I have not been there but have a couple of colleagues who have gone there and loved it. Up north it is still not much like the rest of Asia in its modern appointments, better towards the south. It is a lot better than it was even 5 years ago. Think China circa 1995. Western hotels and stuff, but still a little rough around the edges.

 

[wsuffa]

I have not been there but have a couple of colleagues who have gone there and loved it. Up north it is still not much like the rest of Asia in its modern appointments, better towards the south. It is a lot better than it was even 5 years ago. Think China circa 1995. Western hotels and stuff, but still a little rough around the edges.

I also understand that it gets kinda risky (crime-wise) if you get off the beaten path in Cambodia. Especially in the north. With a group, tourist-wise, it's supposed to be lower risk.

On my list at some point (esp. Viet Nam, and Angkor Wat in Cambodia - which is a World Heritage Site), but there are other priorities first, like finishing the photo/story tribute project.

 

[Ghery]

I spent a couple days in Hanoi on business a few years ago. Interesting, cheap, HOT and HUMID!!! Not my idea of fun.