would you allow your 17 year old and friend to travel alone in Vietnam for 2 weeks?

[Anonymous]

OP, it is almost fall. What did you decide?

[Anonymous]

I would let 17 year old go to Europe or the anglosphere but not Vietnam (might change my answer if they spoke the language or had family etc.). Europe/Canada/Australia/NZ are safer and more culturally/legally/economically similar, so there would less adjustment and less chance for real trouble. Plenty of options and places to see there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girls, yes.

Boys, no. I’d be worried they’d sleep with prostitutes.

I wouldn’t have thought about that but you are right!

.

This. The sex industry in south east Asia is no joke. I’d be on if my son traveled in East Asia but not Vietnam or other South East Asian countries. My older brothers best friend went to Thailand for a year as a high school exchange student t and it was surreal the stuff he was exposed to that year. I’d be more inclined to let my DD go before I sent teen son.

This is so ignorant and racist. Vietnam is not Thailand and the laws on prostitution are completely different.

That said, I would let two boys go after a year of college, but there are so many dangers that they have never been exposed to: scammers abound in those youth hostels. I remember in my 20s traveling alone though SE Asia there were lots of young people probably a decade older than these boys looking to score drugs, party, and scam people out of their money. Not a lot of them. But enough not to trust my 17 year olds not to get into trouble, especially boys. I would also be worried about what would happen if they got hurt or sick. Would they know what to do? The medical system in Vietam is like France's where they go to pharmacists for so many things. Also, the traffic laws, or lack thereof makes getting on a motorbike or even crossing the street a real hazard. Also, there are a lot of scammers on beaches and touristy areas of the bigger cities. Some are very convincing. It's just an intense place, even if you are fluent in the language, which I am. They just don't have the life experiences to handle what could go wrong. I hope if you let them go, I hope it works out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They'll be 18 in early fall.
They can get visas as 17 year olds and hotels will allow them to check in (and we will make reservations in advance)
They have numerous contacts in Vietnam, international calling and data, cash in hand, etc.
Thoughts?

Why? WTF?

No we don’t do emerging markets without a local or actual adult or a guide.

I assume this 17 yo is very mature, logical and street smart? I would never send an immature or adhd or asd or only book smart kid there alone.
They’d be an easy and obvious mark.

[Anonymous]

Nope

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They'll be 18 in early fall.
They can get visas as 17 year olds and hotels will allow them to check in (and we will make reservations in advance)
They have numerous contacts in Vietnam, international calling and data, cash in hand, etc.
Thoughts?

So what if they can get visas. that’s beyond moot.

Are they smart? Loads of common sense? Well-traveled? Not a sucker? Don’t drink much or at all? Know some martial arts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is literally NOT POSSIBLE. Hotels do not accept unaccompanied minors. I’ve actually tried to get hotel rooms for my 17 year old children, the hotel wouldn’t let them check in. Even if I prepaid everything. Even if the kid lies and says they are 18 (international hotels always require passports). It cannot be done.

I think OP is a troll honestly because the premise is absurd. It’s literally not possible for an 18 year old to check into a hotel alone.

Agree.
This is a troll post. And it makes little sense even at that. Lame.

[Anonymous]

I would do a hybrid of this. Mom also goes to Vietnam but stays in a different hotel, does her own trip things but available if needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes! This is a great experience for a mature worldly young adult. This is how you learn to be an adult, people.

I tend to agree with this. Pretty sure a lot of people of my parents generation were living fully independently at 17 or 18.

It's kind of funny that people are saying no, but then they're sending their kids off to college, where they face many of the same risks – rape, people taking advantage of you, robberies, driving risks. One could argue that going to Vietnam would be safer than going to NYU for example

[Anonymous]

I moved to the US at 18 from Europe. My kids are planning on Europe for college. I don’t know about Vietnam specifically, but if the boys are responsible and not risk takers, I would allow it.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this their first international travel? Are they trustworthy and independent? Plenty of 18 year olds take trips abroad but Vietnam isn’t the easiest country. I think I’d hear them out about their travel plans, how they are going to keep their money & passports safe, etc.

They've both been overseas at least a dozen times, including to Asia (but with parents).
They are trustworthy and independent. Not risk takers.

In that case I would say yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is literally NOT POSSIBLE. Hotels do not accept unaccompanied minors. I’ve actually tried to get hotel rooms for my 17 year old children, the hotel wouldn’t let them check in. Even if I prepaid everything. Even if the kid lies and says they are 18 (international hotels always require passports). It cannot be done.

I think OP is a troll honestly because the premise is absurd. It’s literally not possible for an 18 year old to check into a hotel alone.

Agree.
This is a troll post. And it makes little sense even at that. Lame.

You should try traveling abroad. And reading the comments before you post. It’s absolutely possible and even at a much younger age in Vietnam, as discussed extensively above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this their first international travel? Are they the trustworthy and independent? Plenty of 18 year olds take trips abroad but Vietnam isn’t the easiest country. I think I’d hear them out about their travel plans, how they are going to keep their money & passports safe, etc.

They've both been overseas at least a dozen times, including to Asia (but with parents).
They are trustworthy and independent. Not risk takers.

In that case I would say yes.

Depends on where in Asia.

Going to developed market Tokyo with your parents is way different than Vietnam or Cambodia or Phuket with your 17 yo peer.

[Anonymous]

I don't even let my kid go to NYC alone at 18. (Yes, with a friend. But at that age, if an unusual situation arises, kids need a support system. And if they're out late or in an untrafficked area, I want them to be in pairs.)