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

[Anonymous]

Are they juniors and still have senior year to go or will they have graduated already?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do they speak vietnsmese?
Are their contacts adults living there and part of the community? Family?
Then yes

My first question is this. It don’t speak the language, I don’t even get to any other questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In general I would say yes to this situation as OP has described it.

That said, my husband and I are extensive travelers and our experience in Vietnam was one of the more challenging. One example: We got into a semi-scary fight with a cab driver who tried to scam us. My husband shouted back and we got out of the cab he had locked - but not sure how two teens would have handled that. I was pretty unnerved. Other things made it hard too - it wasn’t just that.

I wouldn’t have the same concerns with Bali, Cambodia, Thailand, Japan, etc…

I’ve also traveled a lot and this was not my experience at all in Vietnam. The opposite - some of the nicest people of the many countries I’ve been.

+1

[Anonymous]

Having just spent some time in Vietnam, I would say probably yes.
The main thing I would be concerned about is their riding motorbikes and getting into an accident (or getting stopped by police because I’m pretty sure Americans can’t get the right kind of international license, bit a little cash can take care of that).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In general I would say yes to this situation as OP has described it.

That said, my husband and I are extensive travelers and our experience in Vietnam was one of the more challenging. One example: We got into a semi-scary fight with a cab driver who tried to scam us. My husband shouted back and we got out of the cab he had locked - but not sure how two teens would have handled that. I was pretty unnerved. Other things made it hard too - it wasn’t just that.

I wouldn’t have the same concerns with Bali, Cambodia, Thailand, Japan, etc…

I had almost this exact experience with a cab driver in Bangkok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In general I would say yes to this situation as OP has described it.

That said, my husband and I are extensive travelers and our experience in Vietnam was one of the more challenging. One example: We got into a semi-scary fight with a cab driver who tried to scam us. My husband shouted back and we got out of the cab he had locked - but not sure how two teens would have handled that. I was pretty unnerved. Other things made it hard too - it wasn’t just that.

I wouldn’t have the same concerns with Bali, Cambodia, Thailand, Japan, etc…

I’ve also traveled a lot and this was not my experience at all in Vietnam. The opposite - some of the nicest people of the many countries I’ve been.

+1. But I was in the north and it was a long time ago, so maybe it changed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, they are male.

So…just say HE. Is it that hard?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't get all the "nos.". What's the issue? I'd absolutely let my almost 18 year old do this.

Because at 17 they are still a minor child.

But why does this matter? Do you have to be 18 to travel?

Solo in another country, yes you need to be a legal adult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, they are male.

So…just say HE. Is it that hard?

There are two males.

He are male?

ok

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In general I would say yes to this situation as OP has described it.

That said, my husband and I are extensive travelers and our experience in Vietnam was one of the more challenging. One example: We got into a semi-scary fight with a cab driver who tried to scam us. My husband shouted back and we got out of the cab he had locked - but not sure how two teens would have handled that. I was pretty unnerved. Other things made it hard too - it wasn’t just that.

I wouldn’t have the same concerns with Bali, Cambodia, Thailand, Japan, etc…

Eh sounds like the reoccurring problem is...you. because I've been to those countries and would not characterize it similarly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't get all the "nos.". What's the issue? I'd absolutely let my almost 18 year old do this.

Because at 17 they are still a minor child.

But why does this matter? Do you have to be 18 to travel?

Solo in another country, yes you need to be a legal adult.

Um...no.

[Anonymous]

OP here.
this this would be over the summer. They're rising seniors, will turn 18 in the fall.
They've arranged the entire itinerary. Will pay for it themselves with money they've made.
Nothing has been processed yet.

[Anonymous]

My son and a friend did this summer after graduation. Friend did have family there but they also traveled solo and stayed in hotels.

[Anonymous]

NP

Of course, this can inform a lot of their soon to come paths and decisions. Daily check ins, planned itinerary, have them make eye contact and communicate with hotel staff and ask about safety of plans they're not sure about. It's good for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, they are male.

Yes, because they're male AND have multiple contacts throughout the country.