Nice ending of British couple’s Extraordinary trip in Vietnam
What began as a long-awaited holiday in Vietnam became an extraordinary journey for British couple Mary and Graham Craddock in March 2020. After arriving in Hanoi and traveling to Sapa, the couple unexpectedly became seriously ill with COVID-19 and spent much of their six-week stay in Vietnam receiving medical treatment.
Their difficult journey eventually ended happily when Graham recovered and was released from Hanoi National Hospital of Tropical Diseases on April 14, 2020.
A Long-Awaited Trip to Vietnam
Mary and Graham Craddock had been looking forward to visiting Vietnam for several years. In 2018, after 47 years of marriage, the British couple decided to choose Vietnam for a holiday and planned to travel in early 2019. However, the trip had to be cancelled after Mary’s mother passed away. A year later, they made new plans and finally traveled to Vietnam in March 2020, hoping to enjoy a relaxing holiday and explore some of the country’s most beautiful destinations.Arriving in Hanoi Before an Unexpected Turn
The couple flew from London to Hanoi on Vietnam Airlines flight VN54 and arrived in the Vietnamese capital on March 2, 2020. After spending a few days in Hanoi, they continued their journey to Sapa on March 5. They were looking forward to seeing the famous rice terraces and spectacular mountain landscapes of northwest Vietnam. However, just two days after arriving in the Lao Cai area, their holiday took an unexpected turn when they were transferred to a local hospital for medical treatment.From Sapa to Hospital
Mary and Graham had planned to spend their time exploring Vietnam, but instead much of their six-week stay was spent in hospitals. Graham’s condition became increasingly serious. He was eventually transferred to the intensive care unit at Hanoi National Hospital of Tropical Diseases, while Mary was treated separately in an isolation area for patients with milder symptoms. Mary later recalled how upsetting it was to spend her long-awaited holiday in hospital rather than visiting the rice terraces, mountain ranges and landscapes she had hoped to experience in northwest Vietnam.A Difficult Time in Hanoi
Graham was particularly vulnerable because he had several underlying health conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, a previous cerebrovascular accident and hemiplegia. His condition became severe and required intensive medical treatment, including mechanical ventilation and dialysis. For Mary, the period was extremely difficult. She remembered that Graham initially appeared confused, could not recognize people and struggled to remember what was happening around him. Unable to know exactly how his condition would develop, Mary could only wait and hope that the medical team would be able to save her husband.The Care That Helped Graham Recover
Mary Craddock shed tears as she shared about the time waiting for her husband treatment. Photo by: Chi Le.
A Happy Ending After Six Weeks in Vietnam
On April 14, 2020, Graham was released from the hospital after recovering from the illness.
Mrs. Mary Craddock and the medical worker & Mr. Graham leaving the intensive care area, Hanoi National Hospital of Tropical Diseases, April 14 afternoon. Photo by: Chi Le.
“This is a lifetime holiday. We survive, thank you everyone.”For Mary and Graham, their Vietnam holiday had turned into an experience they could never have imagined. Instead of spending their days visiting the rice terraces and mountains of northwest Vietnam, they found themselves relying on the care and dedication of Vietnamese healthcare workers. Despite everything that happened, the couple’s extraordinary journey ended on a positive note when Graham recovered and they were able to leave the hospital.
A Vietnam Journey They Would Never Forget
Mr. Graham Craddock was cured and leaving hospital. Photo by: Chi Le.
