Safe Travel Tips During the Rainy Season

In the latter months of the year, there are often occurrences of tropical depressions, heavy rainfall, strong winds, and even flooding, particularly in the provinces of Central and North Central Vietnam. Extreme weather conditions can significantly impact your travel plans. Here are some tips to ensure safety when sightseeing or traveling during the rainy season if you still decide to go during this period.

Check Weather Forecast Before Each Trip

The first thing you should do before each trip is to pick up your phone, open Google, and type in the keyword “10-day weather forecast”. There, you will be provided with a series of information about the weather for the upcoming 10 days. Through the very detailed weather forecast table, you can plan a suitable itinerary and destination for yourself. Or to some extent, if you cannot change the destination, you will also have thorough preparations to make your trip perfect.

Utilize Waterproof Backpacks for Storing Your Gear

Instead of lugging around bulky suitcases, opt for compact and convenient waterproof backpacks. Your gear will remain completely dry regardless of the weather conditions. Nowadays, there are many types of waterproof backpacks available on the market that ensure both quality and aesthetics.

Add an Extra Layer of Nylon to Your Gear

Before putting your gear into the waterproof backpack, take a moment to wrap them in an extra layer of nylon to prevent any potential situations of heavy rain or accidental dropping into water. It may seem a bit meticulous, but this extra effort will be rewarded with a big smile when you unexpectedly encounter heavy rain and strong winds on your journey, yet upon reaching safety, opening your gear, they remain perfectly dry.

Always Have a Raincoat in Your Backpack

Your backpack and nylon bags can shield your belongings, but what about yourself? Getting caught in the rain without protection can lead to illness, turning your trip into a tiresome ordeal when you're not feeling well. Prepare yourself with a good quality raincoat. Fold it neatly and keep it at the bottom of your backpack.

About Clothing and Footwear

Imagine the discomfort of wearing tight-fitting clothes when wet. Soon, you'll be reaching for painkillers and fever reducers. Therefore, opt for comfortable, quick-drying outfits. As for footwear: Waterproof sneakers or plastic sandals to switch into if your shoes get wet. For added safety, invest in waterproof shoe covers, which will keep your footwear dry in rainy and muddy conditions.

Limit Island Tours

You can still go on beach tours but it's advisable to avoid island tours. There have been numerous cases of tourists getting stranded on islands (most recently nearly 2,000 tourists were stranded on Co To Island, Quang Ninh Province) due to tropical depressions and storms preventing them from returning to the mainland. The weather in the area might seem normal before your trip but tropical depressions and storms can hit unexpectedly. Being stuck on an island during rainy and stormy days is extremely dangerous, not to mention the potentially exorbitant costs. Therefore, prioritize safety for a more meaningful and complete journey with your family and loved ones.

Means of Transportation

If you choose to travel by personal vehicles such as cars or motorcycles, ensure that your vehicle is truly safe before hitting the road, especially ensuring that turn signals are functioning properly. In unusual rainy weather, imagine the danger if your vehicle's turn signals are broken, it poses a real risk to yourself and those around you. If you're traveling by plane, consider carefully if you're sure about the extreme weather conditions on the day of departure. In recent years, as we all know, there have been many air accidents worldwide, resulting in tragic deaths of hundreds of people. I cannot guarantee that Vietnam's air routes will be absolutely safe during the rainy season.

In addition to the aforementioned experiences, for a complete and perfect trip, you should note: Always prepare a sufficient supply of common medications (cold medicine, bandages, oxygen, insect repellent, medicated oil, painkillers, common antibiotics); charge your power bank; pack dried food. Also, familiarize yourself with emergency hotlines of medical agencies, security, and police in the area you're heading to in case of urgent needs.

Huyen Le
According to Vietnam Sports Newspaper