Questions re: Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Laos
 

I am taking a tour of these three countries during the first 2 weeks of November. For those of you who have been there, done that, did you take Malaria pills (Malarone) and Typhoid vaccination or encephalitis vaccine or tetanus booster (I know I need the last one)?

In Viet Nam the cities to be visited are:
Ho Chi Minh City
Hoi An
Hue
Hanoi

Laos:
Luang Prabang

Cambodia:
Phnom Penh
Siem Reap (Angkor Wat)

I'd like to take as little medication as is prudent.

Also, given this itinerary, what would the weather be like in during this time? Very hot? Lots of rain?

Need a dinner suggestion for one night in Hoi An and in Hanoi and in Ho Chi Minh City.

I know that I am asking alot, so will appreciate any advise. Thanks

First, the travel medicine questions. Read up on all these issues at www.cdc.gov/travel

Of course you need tetnaus, and do make sure you are up to date on Hep A as well. Typhoid vaccine is another must-have. Hepa A and typhoid are food and water borne illnesses so it's imerative to have the vaccines. Japanese Encephalitis is recommended only if you are spending long periods of time in rural areas. Your itinerary doesn't reflect this.

Anti-malarails are recommended for Cambodia and Laos. I took malarone, but do reseaerch which is the best one for you. Do your reading, then go consult with a travel medicine specialist.

In November, it is monsoon season in central VN. There is signifigant flooding (ie, people are killed) approximately one of every three years. So Hoi An and Hue are the cities most impacted by this. Yes, it will be hot.

I am also planning a similar trip to these three countries. Could I get some ideas from you as to transport means you use, and how long you spend in each place. I am in doubt in view of my own preparations whether taking in the three countries is not rushing it too much. Your ideas will be very welcome.

cram, Three countries in two weeks really is rushing it. I'd suggest you post a separate thread asking your questions. Margo has already booked a tour, and hasn't asked about how much time, etc. You might also do a search on this board as many people ask the questions you ask, and the regulars here have given opinions on this matter many times.

Went to Vietnam and Cambodia last February. I concur with Kathie regarding the preventive medicine. Cambodia had LOTS of mosquitos. We were there for 18 days, and two countries was alot. Good luck

Thanks so much, Kathie, for your comments. I have read the CDC's advise and I guess I was just wondering if people really did take all the precautions. I only took anti-malarials when travelling to India and nothing when I went to China so could not see the difference now.

To cram: This tour is 17 nights/15 nights on site (I guess that 2 nights are spent in the air!)
7 nights in Viet Nam
2 nights in Laos
5 nights in Cambodia
1 night at Bangkok airport hotel

All travel between cities/countries appears to be by air.

Now another question I'd like to ask is about getting the local currency. Are there ATMs there? How does one change US money to the local money?