Prep Work

No one tells you all that you have to prepare to go over seas for three months. No one tells you how many times you have to get poked with a needle. The million shots and medical papers that you will have to go through. I had to go through all this in the past three days and still going through it now. I'm four vaccines down, had my blood drawn, and one oral surgery. It might not look as bad written down but talking to someone who can't stand being in hospitals or doctor offices; this was a tough case to get over.

In Vietnam the major health concern is the diseases transmitted through bugs. The climate there doesn't get cold enough to kill off the mosquitos or other biting bugs. Malaria is a problem in more rural areas of the country.  The government there doesn't inforce health codes like the United States does, the street vendors don't always use fresh water or healthy food precautions. Hepatitis A and Typhoid is given through contaminated food or water no matter where you are traveling in Vietnam. Traveling diarrhea is a problem for travelers especially to third world countries. You have to be careful about food that has been sitting or that is not boiling and the water quality.

Here are a few fun facts about Vietnam:

1. Lizard fishing is one of the most popular pass-times in Vietnam.

2. Vietnam has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the Third World

3. In Vietnamese schools, instead of bells, gongs are used to call children.

4. Although Vietnam is a developing country, it has a literacy rate of 94%.

5. An estimated ten million motor bikes travel on the roads of Vietnam every day.

6. Ruou ran (snake wine), a Vietnamese specialty of rice wine with a pickled snake inside, allegedly can cure any sickness.

7. The Vietnamese keep potbelly pigs as pets.

8. The Vietnamese language has six different tones. A change in tone changes the meaning of the word. This makes their language somewhat difficult to learn.

9. Vietnamese food is a blend of Chinese and Thai styles and is considered one of the healthiest cuisines in the world with its combination of fresh ingredients like fresh herbs, seafoods, fruits and vegetables along with fish sauce, shrimp paste, soy sauce and rice.

10. The Vietnam war is the longest war in history.