We’ve been preparing for the trip for quite some time, but only in the past week have things really spun up. Here’s a rough outline of what we accomplished and when we did it:

1 month before

• Credit card application- Chase Sapphire for the Premium benefits. I stayed with co-workers at a premium lounge and was in awe at the free buffet of food, massage chairs, and beverages on tap. At 1000+ airports around the world, you’re able to bring up to 2 guests to these lounges for free! You also get all the other great travel benefits, like no international transaction fees, yada yada yada.

• Travel bag
• Locks
• Doctor visits for travel vaccines – make a huge choice in whether or not to get Japanese Encephalitis vaccine (it’s $700/person). The woman from travel clinic said that for only few nights of risky exposure – with precautions – we would be okay.

2 weeks before

• Vietnam visa application (3 business days to process)
• Last minute purchases for trip – wallet, clothes, etc

1 week before

• Silently panic
• Clean house – gather supplies