Asia - Safe in Vietnam?

Having second thoughts about a vacation in Vietnam. Is it safe? The Sheraton Hanoi (Cat 4) and Sheraton HCMC (Cat 5) are located in the heart of downtown, nice neighborhoods. But the CIA has issued warnings of snatch and grab motorcycle gangs "dragging a victim's body" and "quick-napping" or kidnapping for a short period to drain an ATM account in the more affluent areas. So how safe is safe?

you mean state dept?

how often? its not like it doesnt happen elsewhere.

Very safe. Safer than Mexico. Have never been kidnapped while visiting.

I'd say ... safer than Las Vegas.

I guess the question is safe compared to where?

I certainly have never felt less than safe on my trips to Vietnam. What sort of danger are you worried about?

Also, maybe this post would be better in the travel section as it's not really *wood specific.

From the State Dept website about a particular country
has a moderate rate of violent crime, some of which is directed towards tourists, principally for motives of theft. Some travelers have been victims of rape and beatings. There have also been incidents of drinks laced with drugs being used by criminals to rob, and in some cases, assault tourists[/QUOTE

[QUOTE]Americans are urged to exercise caution at train stations and airports, and when frequenting nightclubs, bars and outdoor cafes, particularly at night, because criminals may make initial contact with potential victims in such settings. Individuals under the effect of alcohol may become victims of crime, including robbery, physical and sexual assault, due to their impaired ability to judge situations and make decisions.

Petty crimes such as pick pocketing, theft from parked cars, and purse snatching are serious problems, especially in large cities. Pickpockets sometimes dress like businessmen so tourists should not be lulled into a false sense of security by believing that well-dressed individuals are not potential pickpockets or thieves. Most reported thefts occur at crowded tourist sites, on public buses or trains, or at the major railway stations:


Tourists who have tried to resist petty thieves on motor scooters have suffered broken arms and collarbones.

The country is Italy BTW

You've gotten great responses here. Still, I am going to move this to the Asia forum, since this is more about risk of travel in the country rather than anything specific to the hotels.

I, myself, was in Vietnam in August and felt perfectly comfortable.

SanDiego1K
Starwood Moderator

I had the same worries B4 I went to Vietnam, but soon found out just what a wonderful and safe place it really is. I felt safer in both Hanoi and Saigon than I do in cities such as New York or Chicago. It is true that Saigon has a problem with bag-snatchers on bikes, but if a tourist does not flaunt his wealth and takes care to protect his person, he has nothing to worry about. I had more problems there with hawkers - they look on tourists as walking ATM's! I was also approached by several people involved in this Thai Scam going on in Saigon - a man or couple will approach with ? about things like - where did you get those great shoes (or the like) - they try to get you to accompany them to assist a friend/relative thinking about travel to the USA/other Western country with questions about that travel. (They're really trying to get you to gamble at some location where you're sure to lose all your $.) Just use common sense when you travel and look out for offers on the street. Vietnam is no more dangerous than Puerto Rico or France, and certainly much safer than Mexico!

One area that scares me in Vietnam is long distance bus travel. Vietnamese roads are somewhat primitive, bus drivers are poorly trained and must work long hours, and fatal accidents involving buses are all too common. Air Travel is very safe, efficient and convenient, and train travel is improving all the time.

All good answers. Be especially careful when walking along side a busy road - don't have stuff slung over your shoulder if you want to keep it. Better to face on coming traffic (though people sometimes ride on the wrong side of the road). In such a snatch you might get injured - but its rare for foreigners to be directly threatened with violence, knives, guns etc. Injuries are usually consequential. Incidentally, Vietnamese are victims of this kind of snatch crime too if they are also careless. Many of them carry surprising amounts of cash.

In my experience, the risks are having an over-ambitious schedule which makes you tired (especially if you're prone to jetlag) - and then getting sick, trying endless exotic food just to be cool - and again getting sick, hiring motorbikes when you have no idea about the traffic in Vietnam - especially after booze etc.

For blokes its also about getting ripped off in dodgy bars - mobile phones/wallets etc being lifted, or bills you can't understand etc.

Having second thoughts about a vacation in Vietnam. Is it safe? The Sheraton Hanoi (Cat 4) and Sheraton HCMC (Cat 5) are located in the heart of downtown, nice neighborhoods. But the CIA has issued warnings of snatch and grab motorcycle gangs "dragging a victim's body" and "quick-napping" or kidnapping for a short period to drain an ATM account in the more affluent areas. So how safe is safe?

Safer than most western big cities. Take the advice given, also, with a bike or motorbike don't put anything you don't want to lose into a basket. When you sit at a roadside restaurant make sure your bag can't be taken.

In SE Asia attacks, physically, are rare, certainly for westerners. Theft is more common, but still not 'common'. Be cautious but don't be scared.

Both I and a friend lost our ATM cards in different machines during a 2 days period earlier this year in Hanoi. We both got them back with little hassle.

Most of the time someone approaches you as a target it won't be to in the guise of theft, just working toward a scam. Fools often give their money away to 'thieves' in a way that is much safer for the locals.

I've seen this happen in KUL, BKK as well as other places. As a tourist you are their lifeblood, you fuel their economy. Enjoy your trip.

...One area that scares me in Vietnam is long distance bus travel. Vietnamese roads are somewhat primitive, bus drivers are poorly trained and must work long hours, and fatal accidents involving buses are all too common. Air Travel is very safe, efficient and convenient, and train travel is improving all the time.
Are you talking about local buses or the more tourist oriented "café" buses (http://www.sinhcafe.com/english_info/info_opentour.htm) (or both)? Roads in Vietnam aren't the USA Interstates, but for the most part not Cambodian dirt tracks either. I guess air travel could be termed "safe," but some would argue about "very safe." I don't hear a lot of travelers saying it's efficient, but that's a matter of judgment.

My wife and I visited saigon last year and hanoi a month ago. Both of us felt safe and never felt threatend. Vietnamese friendly and helpful

I always find it ironic when US-based travelers ask whether an Asian city is "safe" and quote crime warnings from the State Department website.

Certainly, the concerns that make sense are those related to infrastructure (i.e. bus transportation on treacherous mountain roads), and of course the current risk of terrorist actions in certain places.

But the chance of getting done in by gun-wielding Americans in Henderson and/or Las Vegas, Nevada, is so much greater than most ANY city in Asia, it is ridiculous to even consider. America is "free".......unless you want to walk the streets at night. Then your sense of freedom and security will be much greater in Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Saigon, Auckland, Melboune, Sydney, etc, etc., than most big cities in the U.S.

Perhaps the State Department website ought to issue warnings for Miami, Houston, Detroit, Baltimore, Los Angeles, etc.