Hi there,
I am booked on the tour, starting in Hanoi on April 18. Looking at all the different information regarding SARS, I am really confused regarding whether I should go or whether I should cancel the trip.
Any views on that?
Best regards,
Claudia
Re: Worrying about going to Vietnam...?
Am also booked on the tour starting in Hanoi 18 April and have exactly the same problem: my employer just issued travel instructions asking all staff to avoid travelling to Hanoi, Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing and Guandong Province unless absolutely necessary, until further notice.
Is it possible to cancel the trip as such, as long as the Foreign Office has not issued an official warning? Or at least use the booking for a different trip?
Monika
Re: Worrying about going to Vietnam...?
Hi Monika,
somehow good to hear that I am not the only who worries ... I still have no clue what to do and probably will wait until the end of this week before I am going to decide. In the meantime there will be the daily look at the WHO webpage ... I especially do not like the idea that they will introduce screenings at airports (Hanoi could be one of the candidates) and will refuse people to leave the country if they suspect that someone might have caught SARS. From an objective point of view this is absolutely understandable but who wants to sit in Hanoi not able to fly home ... ?
Regards,
Claudia
Re: Worrying about going to Vietnam...?
Hi Claudia,
I guess there is nothing we can do but wait and keep reading every bit of information available - and decide later (but when?). I'll let you know
Regards,
Monika
Re: Worrying about going to Vietnam...?
Hi,
I am going to Vietnam for a tour starting on the 11th April and have been monitoring the situation closely. The WHO site quoted the following for Vietnam on 29th April which is encouraging:
"The number of cases in Vietnam remained at 58 for the sixth day in a row, indicating that the outbreak in Hanoi is well-controlled."
The WHO site also has an good FAQ section: http://www.who.int/csr/sars/sarsfaq/en/
I am still planning on going unless I receive strong advice not to. If anybody else has some advice it would be good to hear from you.
Re: Worrying about going to Vietnam...?
There is an ongoing discussion about SARS in the China area of this forum, including replies from ImTrav staff.
[This message has been edited by wmleler (edited April 01, 2003).]
Re: Worrying about going to Vietnam...?
Re: Worrying about going to Vietnam...?
hi, Alex,
I plan on going to Vietnam on the 11th of April. The WHO site was particularly useful and helped clear up and queries I had about travelling.
Re: Worrying about going to Vietnam...?
Update 18 - SARS outbreak:WHO investigation team moves to China, new travel advice announced [WHO PRESS RELEASE]
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY WHO
2 April 2003
The World Health Organization (WHO) today said that the Government of China had announced the WHO expert team currently in Beijing will travel to Guangdong Province to investigate the SARS outbreak there.
Re: Worrying about going to Vietnam...?
Hi Claudia,
I cancelled my trip today.
I was set to leave Canada next week for a two weeks stay in Thailand before hooking up with the Img Traveller on the SE Asian Explorer tour starting on April 26. Due to the new Canadian Travel Advisory that was posted last week, my travel insurance will cover me for my cancellations.
I am very diappointed, but I am more worry about bring this infection back to family and friends or even passing it onto people in remote areas during my travel. And if I should get sick - where would I go and which country/airline would let me back into Canada. Being worry = no fun on trip.
My travel agent has been extremely helpful in handeling my cancellation. She tells me good things about how Img Traveller is handeling this situation for their travellers - guess I will wait and see how my situation turns out. I am sure I will book again with the Img Traveller in the future...and hopefully back to SE Asia.
Good luck on your decission. As for me, I have begun to look for a new destination!
maryc
Re: Worrying about going to Vietnam...?
Hi,
We are also from Canada and we have decided to go on our tour begining april 12 starting in Hanoi. after looking at all the statistics, we believe that the risks are relativly low even though Health Canada is advising against travel. Again the WHO site is very helpful.
Looking forward to meeting those of you who are still going on the trip, and hope those of you who cancel get a chance to visit the area in the future.
Regards Bernadette and Ruth
Re: Worrying about going to Vietnam...?
We, Andrew and Annette, are booked on Vietnam Highlights tour starting Hanoi 11 April. Judging by comments we may be the only ones left - I hope not. I checked many sources re SARS including UK foriegn office. They do not suggest avoiding Vietnam and they are usually pretty cautious - so unless things get worse we'll be there. Would like to here from any others on the same trip email: andrew.richardson@jehall.co.uk
Re: Worrying about going to Vietnam...?
Thanks to all the replies... ImTrav is currently looking into the subject (see travel information) how to handle this... I have travelled before with the company, had a fantastic time (Wilderness Adventure in Thailand, highly recommendedd!!!) and am sure they will come up with a solution that suits both, travellers and the company. In the meantime, I agree, it's still a matter of wait and see...
Re: Worrying about going to Vietnam...?
Hi Claudia,
I think that we will be on the same tour, we are doint the Vietnam explorer which is a combo. of Hilltribe Trails and Vietnam Highlights ( which I believe that you will be on). We hope to see you there, I think that it will be great, not so many tourist.
See you in a couple of weeks. You can email me @ bshades@yahoo.com if you want to talk at all.
Regards,
Bernadette