Vietnam 2007 Crime & Safety Report

Crime & Safety

East Asia / Pacific - Vietnam
8 Feb 2007

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Overall Crime and Safety Situation

Crime Threats

Although most travelers in Vietnam feel relatively safe, pick-pocketing and petty crimes occur. Violent crimes such as robbery against westerners or tourists remain rare. Drug use is a growing problem in Vietnam. In particular, the increasing use of methamphetamine and intravenous drugs contributes significantly to the crime rate.

Petty theft, purse snatching, and pick pocketing are most common in the areas frequented by foreigners such as major hotels, tourist sites, and public parks. One common method of purse snatching used throughout Vietnam employs two people on a motorcycle with the passenger snatching the victim's bag, camera, cellular phone, etc., ­often while traveling at the same speed or faster than street traffic. These purse snatchings can be especially dangerous to victims if the straps of the bag are over the shoulder or around the neck, as the victim can be pulled down or dragged by the strap until it breaks. This is an ongoing and often dangerous trend. In some cases, a knife or other sharp cutting instrument is used by the perpetrators to cut the strap, or to make a hole to reach in and steal valuables.

In 2001, a British woman was killed when the strap of her purse failed to break and she was dragged into a tree. In November 2003, an American citizen was knocked down and received a facial injury during a purse snatching. Another U.S. citizen was victimized by a purse snatching in November 2004 while traveling as a passenger on a motorbike. The year 2006 brought an increase in these types of incidents with the majority of targets being women passengers on motorcycle taxis. In one instance, one female victim was dragged off her own motorcycle when two assailants approached her from behind and snatched a necklace from her neck. She was fortunate enough to escape with minor injuries. There have been several recent fatalities and serious injuries resulting from motorcycle-borne robbery attempts, to include one fatality of a Vietnamese national in front of the U.S. Embassy.

Visitors/residents should never leave possessions unattended, particularly in public areas such as airports, parks, restaurants, hotel lobbies, etc. Theft of briefcases, luggage, laptop computers, and other items can occur when the owner's attention is momentarily diverted.

Individuals planning to reside in Hanoi for an extended period of time and who lease homes or apartments within the city limits are advised to acquire properties properly outfitted with crime prevention devices, especially against home invasions. In 2006, numerous home invasions/burglaries were observed in the Tay Ho and Ciputra residential areas, which are popular neighborhoods within the expatriate and diplomatic community.

Additionally, individuals planning to hire domestic help should screen candidates carefully. Our office is aware of numerous instances of domestic help stealing valuables from their employers. In one case, a housekeeper forged her employer's signature on a check and was able to withdraw over US $60,000 from the employer's bank account. To avoid this situation, it is recommended that individuals use one of the many local domestic referral agencies that have opened recently in Hanoi, which charge a small fee for the screening and referral of household help.

In general, the safety and security of guest rooms in quality hotels is adequate. Valuables and important documents (passport, etc.) should be kept inside a safe in the room (provided by many of the better hotels) or in a safe deposit box at the front desk. If on guided tours, secure your personal bags and, if possible, do not leave them on the tour bus/boat. If you must leave the bags, remove any valuables. There have been a number of incidents involving tourists leaving their bags on buses/boats and, upon their return, finding that their bags were stolen or rifled through for valuables.

Road Conditions and Hazards

Undoubtedly the two most dangerous activities in Vietnam are crossing the street and driving or riding in traffic. The road system throughout Vietnam is underdeveloped and traffic rules are widely ignored. Police officials admit that they have a considerable problem controlling the steadily growing number of motorcycles and vehicles on their streets. The lack of open sidewalks and adequate traffic controls (e.g. stoplights at intersections) creates a precarious situation for all pedestrians and motorists. In one incident that occurred in 2006, an American was struck and critically injured by a motorbike while crossing one of the many motorcycle-clogged streets near his hotel in Hanoi.

Motorcycle accidents are particularly common and serious in nature because motorcyclists generally have less training than car/truck drivers, are often not licensed, and rarely wear helmets. There were over 9,000 recorded vehicle fatalities for Vietnam in 2006. If you plan on riding a motorcycle or bicycle in Vietnam you should wear a helmet.

Political Violence

Historical Perspective
 
The political situation in Vietnam is stable, with no known specific threat to American citizens. However, Vietnamese Americans known or suspected to be affiliated with anti-Vietnamese government organizations have been harassed and in some cases arrested when visiting Vietnam. As in any country, visitors should respect local laws and customs, and avoid unauthorized gatherings or uncontrolled crowds. Exercise care in taking photographs. Photographing of military, police, or other government facilities may result in questioning by the authorities and possible confiscation of the film and/or camera.

Terrorism and Organized Crime

Vietnam is not known to harbor any regional terrorism groups, nor has it been the target of any international/transnational terrorist groups. Some organized criminal elements do exist and usually concentrate their activities in the manufacturing and distribution of drugs and counterfeit goods as well as extortion against businesses.

Civil Unrest

Sporadic disputes have occurred in rural areas between local residents and authorities, but foreigners have generally not been involved. Aside from unrest that took place in the Central Highlands in 2001 and 2004, political demonstrations are uncommon and the threat from civil unrest in the cities is generally minimal.

Post-Specific Concerns

Violence in the Workplace Against U.S. Citizens

Small joint ventures formed by U.S. citizens in conjunction with Vietnamese partners have occasionally reported threats from their Vietnamese partners or employees if the business relationship sours. Some foreign business people have faced threats, vandalism, and harassment in connection with their business dealings, though only a few cases of actual physical harm have been reported.

Proprietary Information

One should assume that all rooms, telephones and fax machines might be monitored. Similarly, all movements and activities may be subject to surveillance. Personal possessions, media, and documents kept in hotel rooms, apartments, or at the workplace may be searched. Visitors and residents should be cautious when discussing sensitive or proprietary information.

Consular Access

There have been problems with consular access to American citizens. Frequently the embassy or consulate general is not immediately notified when U.S. citizens are arrested or detained. The Vietnamese government considers all persons born in Vietnam or born to Vietnamese parents to be Vietnamese citizens unless they have formally renounced their Vietnamese citizenship with the Vietnamese government. For this reason, Vietnamese officials may treat U.S. citizens of Vietnamese origin differently from other U.S. citizens.

In the past, individuals have been detained for traveling to sensitive areas and taking photographs of military installations or other sensitive areas/situations. In business disputes, local police authorities may confiscate a U.S. citizen's passport and visa. On several occasions, individuals have not been allowed to leave the country until the dispute is resolved, even if that takes months or even years.

Flooding

New residents and visitors to Vietnam should be aware of massive street flooding that commonly occurs in many of the cities during the rainy season. Many city streets are not equipped with the proper sewage infrastructure needed to properly drain the large amount of seasonal rain that falls in a very short amount of time. This inordinate amount of rainfall most often overwhelms the capacity of the existing infrastructure. This causes flooding that makes navigating the streets nearly impossible.

Police Response

In the event of an emergency, the police can be contacted by dialing 113 (Vietnam's equivalent of 911) from a local telephone, although few of the 113 operators speak English. Depending on the nature of the incident or ongoing situation, local citizens may assist foreigners in distress by contacting police or medical authorities. Fail all else, one should try to go to a western-type hotel where staff are far more likely to speak English and are generally very helpful in emergency situations. 

If you are involved in a traffic accident, altercation, or other situation that draws a crowd, leave the immediate area and contact the police.

Be aware that police are often underfunded and lack training in a number of areas. While the overall situation is gradually improving, some police have been openly solicitous of compensation, ostensibly to support local police efforts or to facilitate an investigation of a crime.

Medical Emergencies

Visitors and residents should be aware of the limitations of medical care in Vietnam. Even when adequate medical care is available at private clinics, it is often rather expensive. The quality of medical care in major cities is limited, and medical care in rural/provincial areas can be non-existent. American or western medical insurance with medical evacuation coverage is highly recommended. 

Clinics & Hospitals

Hanoi
International SOS - 934-0666; Emergency - 934-0555
Hanoi Family Clinic - 843-0748 / 090-340-1919
Hanoi French Hospital - 577-1100; Emergency - 574-1111

Ho Chi Minh City
SOS 24-hour Emergency Clinic - 829-8520
Columbia Gia Dinh - 803-0678 / 823-8455
Franco-Viet Hospital - 411-3333; Emergency - 411-3500
Family Medical Practice (24-hour) - 822-7848

Tips on How to Avoid Becoming a Victim

Try to minimize any potential losses ahead of time. When you go out, bring only what is needed and only what you can afford to lose. If you are confronted, quickly give up whatever is demanded and then leave the immediate area and contact the police. Protect identity documents and leave most of your valuables (including cash) in a safe place. If you must carry a bag, purse, or backpack, carry it in a manner that would allow you to quickly and easily release it in an emergency.

When out on the street, be as alert as possible to your surroundings and the people around you. Watch out for distractions such as kids surrounding you to sell something and then picking your pockets, or prostitutes trying to solicit sex and grabbing a potential customer by the arm, but in reality stealing their watch. When traveling at night, it is best to go with someone you know. Don't take cyclos/pedicabs at night.

If you are out late at night, take only metered/marked taxis, preferably from the larger taxi companies. Watch out for unattended drinks in bars - on a few occasions drinks have been altered in order to incapacitate a potential victim. Avoid unorganized gatherings such as street races or demonstrations.

For Further Information

Hanoi

U.S. Embassy
7 Lang Ha 
Dong Da District, Hanoi
Tel - 84-4-772-1500
Fax - 84-4-772-1510
Duty Officer - 84-4-090-340-1991

Ambassador - Michael Marine 
Deputy Chief of Mission - Jon Aloisi
Regional Security Officer - Peter Gibbons
Assistant Regional Security Officer - Claude Poole
Consular Officer - Steve Brault

U.S. Foreign Commercial Service
6 Ngoc Khanh
Dong Da District, Hanoi
Tel - 84 - 4 - 831 - 4580
Commercial Counselor - Miguel Pardo de Zela

Ho Chi Minh City

U.S. Consulate General
4 Le Duan Boulevard
District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel - 84-8-82 2-9433
Fax - 84-8-825-7171
Duty Officer - 84-8-090-392-4613

Consul General - Seth Winnick
Deputy Principal Officer - Kenneth Chern
Regional Security Officer - Christopher Murray
Assistant Regional Security Officer - Jeff Farquhar
Consular Officer (American Citizen Services) - Aida Norman

U.S. Foreign Commercial Service
Saigon Center 9th Floor
65 Le Loi Street
District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel - 84-4-825-0490
Commercial Counselor - William Marshak