Vacationing in a Communist country

[Anonymous]

DH and I would love to tour a few communist nations such as Vietnam, Russia, China, etc. but are hesitant b/c of the influence of the communist government. Have you vacationed in a communist country? Was there anything you wished you had known - visas, bribes, using email, vaccinations, paperwork hassles, crime against westerners, etc.?

[Anonymous]

Not be snarky but your post indicates that you should do a lot more research before embarking on such a trip. First, Russia is not a Communist country but whatever. Second -there is no more corruption in these countries than you'll find anywhere else. Nor is there any reason to believe that you are more likely to be a victim of a crime. As a westerner in a poorer country you can be more of a target regardless of the type of government.

We lived in Southeast Asia and visited Vietnam, Laos and China. Absolutely no problems in Vietnam or Laos. Almost everyone we encountered was extremely friendly. Got our visas at the airport in Laos...need to get them in advance for Vietnam. Was never asked for a bribe (but if you have an encounter with police - like for a traffic violation- you can expect to pay a bribe in lieu of a more expensive official fine). Very tourist friendly, no more corruption than any other developing country. No noticeable restrictions on email or internet. There is nothing about either Vietnam or Laos that feels "communist".

I found China a bit more difficult as an independent traveller but if you are going on an organized tour then you don't need to worry about this stuff. There is just not a lot of English spoken...if I was using a cab driver I had the address written down in Mandarin. I used email in China but was careful about what I wrote...nothing controversial. Also - some websites were restricted but I can't remember which ones.

Vaccinations - really depends on your comfort level. I was living in SE Asia ago so I got all the requsite vacs - japanese encephalitis, typhoid, etc, etc. If you are not travelling "off the beaten path" and are sticking to urban areas then I probably wouldn't bother.

[Anonymous]

Not sure I understand why you want to visit "communist" countries. The ones you listed don't necessarily have anything in common, and some aren't even communist. Anyway, as PP mentioned, they're fine. I can add Russia to the mix (and subtract Laos, haven't been there since the 70s). No problem, everything is easy. Vaccinations you can look up on the CDC website or get the link from Dept of State.

[Anonymous]

I traveled around Vietnam by myself for a month about 5 years ago, no problems. One of my favorite countries, actually. I didn't get any "extra" vaccinations (already had my Heps). You do see a lot of the "propaganda" on billboards all over the country, but as a tourist who doesn't speak the language it really doesn't mean a lot.

[Anonymous]

If I had to pick one of your listed countries, I would go with Vietnam - not because of any government influence but because, IMHO, it's a little more manageable and, to be honest, I like the food better. I'm usually not one to propose group travel but you may fare better in a group situation. I'm sensing from your post, and this isn't a bad thing at all, that you might not be overly experienced in this realm. Going in an organized group may give you the most peace of mind.

I haven't experienced any kind of shake down in China but that doesn't mean that it doesn't happen. I have, however, experienced it in Russia on more than one occasion. One each occasion, I acted totally ignorant and confused (not too difficult ) and they got fustrated with trying to communicate with me and let me pass. I was told by Russian friends that it's best to pretend that you don't know any Russian at all on those circumstances. Given that I barely know 20 sentences, it isn't far from the truth.

I don't know about shots. Keep up with the tentanus, just like you would normally. The preventative drugs for malaria are pretty harsh, at least the ones I've experienced. Take the Deet.

[Anonymous]

What is your goal? Why a "communist country," which as pointed out isn't necessarily the case for countries you mentioned? This seems very odd. Makes me think you need to reconsider your destinations.

[Anonymous]

We spent 4 days in Hanoi about 2 years ago, and it was very westernized. Good food, fun historic/shopping district, no problems at all with any language issues. The only thing that was not western was that we got bumped from business class to economy, and they gave us $250 in cash right at the airport to make up for it! Fine by us, because we booked on miles and it was only a short connector flight. My main complaint was the overwhelming number of motorcyclyes/mopeds made it less enjoyable as a walking city.

[Anonymous]

OP - please tell me you are kidding. Exactly why do you think Russia, China, Vietnam are any more dangerous than - say - Italy? You sound very ignorant and maybe one of those tourists that won't do well in a country where (1) you don't speak the native language and (2) the natives don't speak a lot of English.

[Anonymous]

Hey, 11:14, chill out. If you remember a time before you were an "experienced world traveler," you may remember that you might have felt some degree of fear of the unknown and you may even have asked silly questions or had some silly preconceptions about a particular place. There is only one real way to deal with that fear and to find answers to those silly questions and resolve those silly preconceptions. That one way is to go and see for yourself. There are a lot of people out there who let the fear prevent them from going places that they may deem as scary. It's obvious that OP has some degree of trepidation about the three countries listed but is willing to check them out anyway. Kuddos, I say.

[Anonymous]

I traveled in both Russia and Vietnam. The only thing that weirded me out a little was that in Russia I had to turn over my passport to each hotel so that I could be registered and sometimes they kept them overnight or for a few days. I found far less English speakers in Hanoi than in any other major non-native-English speaking country that I've ever been in. And, of course, outside of the major cities in Russia and Vietnam, I found virtually no English speakers.

[Anonymous]

11:14 here. Presumably OP isn't exactly a teenager or even in her early 20s (I say this b/c that isn't the typical DCUMer). While I applaud her trying to get out of her little bubble, Russia stopped being a communist country almost 20 years ago. And while China and Vietnam are in fact Communist, China at least is a major tourist destination these days...she may have heard of the Beijing Olympics being held there no so long ago. She just sounds ignorant and yes, probably not the best candidate for travel outside of the major US tourist destinations.

[Anonymous]

11:14, geez, relax. We get it - you are an experienced and wise world traveler. If only the rest of us were so worldly......dare we dream?

Anyway, OP, I was in Vietnam in '95 (just after it officially "opened" its doors to foreign travelers) and found it to be a really wonderful country, but no one spoke any English. I used a phrase book and mostly pointed at words. The people were incredibly gracious, although those in the north seemed a bit more reserved and nervous than those I met in the South.

Not sure how the country has changed since, but I think you'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

Actually I traveled in Russia when it was a Communist country (1986) and it was really safe back then (if you were a foreign tourist, that is -- not if you were a dissident citizen). Creepy in the way that tourists were kept away from locals, yes. Also my guide said that those Russians I did encounter on a personal level might be reporting the encounter to the authorities, which they just did as a matter of fact. But very safe with regard to street crime. I remember trying to talk to someone at the hotel service desk in my bad Russian about whether it was safe to go for a walk at night around the hotel. Once she figured out what I was saying she thought that was quite amusing and I'm sure she went home and had a big laugh with her husband about the Americans who live in crime-ridden cities.

Anyway, sorry I can't be much help. Haven't been there since. I hear there's a lot more crime now that it's a capitalist country but I don't know if it is more or less than what we have here. And I doubt the government is paying as much attention to foreign tourists as it used to -- and I'm sure you can more easily interact with average Russians.

All that said, it is a beautiful country. St. Petersburg is gorgeous! Go visit -- see what it's like!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

She just sounds ignorant and yes, probably not the best candidate for travel outside of the major US tourist destinations.


And I doubt the government is paying as much attention to foreign tourists as it used to -- and I'm sure you can more easily interact with average Russians.

Guess none of you are feds with TS clearance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

She just sounds ignorant and yes, probably not the best candidate for travel outside of the major US tourist destinations.


And I doubt the government is paying as much attention to foreign tourists as it used to -- and I'm sure you can more easily interact with average Russians.

Guess none of you are feds with TS clearance.

16:37 here again -- Noooo, I'm not a fed with TS clearance. Guess you must be! Congratulations on that!

And yes, it is easier to interact with average Russians now than it was in the 80s.
And given that it was typical of some people who were able to interact with foreign tourists to report it to the authorities back then, my guess is that nowadays there are a lot fewer informants out and about.

But then I'm not a fed with TS clearance so I could be wrong.