wongkym

Me and my husband are planning for a trip to HCMC with a side trip (2D1N) to Mekong Delta. We are considering bringing our 1 yr old baby together, and considering if it will be practical. Is it too dangerous for us to travel on the boat with the baby that take us to the floating market? What does the boat usually look like? Please comment. Thanks.

Kathie

Do note that the Mekong Delta has the highest risk of malaria of any place in VN.

marya_

Wongkym,

As a westerner and a parent who loves to travel with my children, I don't see any advantages to making such a trip with a 1 year old child. For us, there would have been way too many health and safety risks for a newly mobile child with an immature immune system, an inability to swim, a presumed inability to remember the experience in any distinctive way, and so forth.

Many questions come to mind, such as --
Have you discussed the malaria risk issue with your pediatrician?

Perhaps there is something about your circumstances that makes this trip advisable but for some of us it would indeed not be "practical."

Good luck.

wongkym

Thanks for your adivse marya_. In fact, I did not get any advise from my pediatrician. I just thought that it should be fine as I did not know the malaria is so serious. I have been to several floating market in Hanoi, and did not have a problem, so I just assume it will be fine. After reading your advise, I think we will drop the idea of going to Mekong Delta this time.
Having said that, do you reckon the trip to HCMC is fine for the baby? Thanks!

Bisbee

There are many babies in HCMC, so you should have no troubles with your 1 year old in HCMC. Several modern hospitals in town just in case something serious happens.

Kathie

Hanoi and HCMC are not malarial risk areas.

Do discuss the health issues with your pediatrician.