Common Health Questions:

• Overall, Vietnam is safe to visit; however, you will want to be up to date on routine vaccinations and carry preventative medication for yourself in the event of an illness. This website is a great resource for health information for travelers to Vietnam: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/vietnam. There you will find information on vaccines and medicines, staying healthy and safe, a healthy travel packing list, and current travel health notices.  This is another great website for travel vaccines and advice for visiting Vietnam: https://www.passporthealthusa.com/destination-advice/vietnam/
• In the event you fall ill while visiting Vietnam, and your current health insurance does not cover you, you will pay out of pocket for hospital visits and medications. However, health care is considerably less in Vietnam than in the US, and upon returning home you can always submit claims to your US based health care company for reimbursement (if eligible).
• Another option is to purchase additional health coverage before departing. There are low-cost policies for travelers from reputable companies you can find and purchase solely for the time you’ll be abroad..

Safety:  

• Common safety concerns involve pickpockets, and motorbike traffic. Always be aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings (camera, purse, cell phone, and money) in a secure place on your person, preferably out of site and clipped or attached to your clothes.  Locals will walk close to you and pick your pockets; so it is possible for someone to scoot past you and take your bag with them.  Also, you’ll want to walk with caution but at an even pace when crossing heavily trafficked streets.  Drivers will go around you; you must not dodge motorbikes! Watch this video to see a heavily trafficked street in Ho Chi Minh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcWhlBDJlMI
• Please visit travel.state.gov for current travel advisories.

While We’re There

Serving:

• We will be working together as a team at each of the five churches. Volunteers will help assemble food packages, assist in distributing the food to members of the church and community along with various other tasks as they arise.

Transportation:

• We will be traveling and exploring together as a group in a rented van (with driver). The cost of the van is included in the total cost above.  If you want to explore on your own and hire transportation, large cities have three options: taxis, motorbike taxis, and Uber and Grab drivers.

• Taxis – hiring a taxi driver is the least desirable way to get around a large city as there are only a couple of reputable taxi companies, and most of the drivers will excessively charge a foreigner. If you choose a taxi, make sure to open your destination in a mobile map app to ensure you’re being driven to the correct destination.
• Motorbike taxis – a much more fun way to get around, but again, as a foreigner you won’t get the best rate unless you “negotiate” the cost with the driver before hopping on.
• Uber and Grab – these both operate a network of cars and motorbikes in the larger cities and are generally slightly cheaper than a taxi or motorbike taxi. The obvious advantage here is that you’ll know exactly how much the ride will cost.  For safety concerns, please use these services while traveling in pairs with other Rice for Christ volunteers.

• While in the smaller villages that we’ll be doing our mission work in, the van will be available for transportation to and from the churches we are serving. The van will also be available for exploring, or there are usually motorbike taxis for hire in these villages as well. 

Weather & What to Pack:

• The weather will be very warm during the day with temperatures in the low 90’s or high 80’s; evenings and nights will be in the low 80’s or high 70’s. We will be by the ocean some nights, so a light jacket might be in order.  We will be there during the dry season, so there’s very little to no rain.  Following is a sensible – though not all inclusive – list to help with packing: (bear in mind that the Vietnamese culture is on the conservative side, so please take this into consideration when packing.)
  
  • Breathable cotton shirts, shorts, and skirts
  • Comfortable footwear – a pair of sneakers as well as comfortable flats or sandals
  • A hat or two is recommended as well as sunglasses, sunscreen, and bug spray (remember to follow TSA guidelines when packing liquids and sprays in your carry-on)
  • An umbrella, not just for the rain, but to shield you from the sun if you’re out for long periods of time
  • Swimwear, kaftans and any other beach appropriate gear
  • Charging station for cameras, phones, and other rechargeable electronics.
  • Over the Counter Medicine (Imodium, ibuprofen, band aids, sleeping pills, eye drops, throat lozenges, hand sanitizer, ginger tablets, and something for cold and flu, allergy, travel sickness, etc.) Many of these items are also easily found in pharmacies across Vietnam at very low costs.
  • Personal items: cosmetics, electric toothbrush heads, hygiene products
  • Any environmentally friendly products and products for sensitive skin as these may be difficult to find
  • A comfortable day pack that fits your essentials like a camera, wallet, snacks, etc.

We look forward to having you come along with us to serve others and share God’s glory internationally!  

Should you have further questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to Terry and Thai Hensley at lavern49@yahoo.com.