VIETNAM
Crime &
Safety
Violent crime against tourists in Vietnam has been rare,
though some cities such Ho Chi Minh City, Pham Ngu Lao and Nha
Trang have recently had a fairly bad reputation for mugging, thieves,
pickpockets and con-artists. In Ho Chi Minh City, cyclo drivers
can sell you drugs and then turn you in to the police. A substantial
bribe might persuade them to drop the matter; otherwise, you're
looking at fines and jail sentences for lesser offences, or the
death penalty for smuggling large quantities.
Still known as a third world country, Vietnam is generally a safe
country for women to travel around alone; most Vietnamese will
simply be curious as to why you are on your own. That said, it
pays to take the normal precautions, especially late at night,
when you should avoid taking a cyclo by yourself in Ho Chi Minh
City, Nha Trang or Hanoi; it's wise to use a taxi instead. Asian
women travelling with a white man have reported cases of harassment
- attributed to the fact that some Vietnamese men automatically
label all such women as prostitutes.
If you have anything stolen, get the police to write up a report
for your insurance company; try to recruit an English speaker
to come with you - and be prepared to pay a "fee". Corruption
among police and other officials can be a problem: you might be
stopped on the road or at border crossings and "fined",
and trumped-up fines are often imposed on bus, cyclo or other
drivers seen carrying a Westerner - fines you'll often be expected
to pay. But with patience, plus a few cigarettes to hand round,
you should be able to bargain fines down considerably.
Not surprisingly, the Vietnamese authorities are sensitive about
military installations , border regions, military camps, bridges,
airports and train stations. Anyone taking photographs near such
sites risks having the film removed from their camera, or the
ubiquitous "fine". Unexploded mines still pose a serious
threat: the problem is most acute in the Demilitarized Zone, where
each year a few local farmers are killed or injured. Always stick
to well-trodden paths and never touch any shells or half-buried
chunks of metal.
Medical
Care & Emergencies
Pharmacies can generally help with minor injuries or
ailments and in major towns you may well find a pharmacist who
speaks French or even English. Both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi
now have reasonably well-stocked pharmacies. That said, drugs
past their shelf life and even counterfeit medicines are rife,
so inspect packaging carefully, check use-by dates - and bring
anything you know you're likely to need from home. Condoms ( bao
cao su) are sold in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh - reliable imported
brands to look out for are OK and Trust.
Local hospitals will treat minor problems, but in a real emergency
your best bet is to head for Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, where
excellent international medical centres can provide diagnosis
and treatment. Hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health
services rendered; you will then have to seek reimbursement from
your insurance company (hang on to receipts).
Emergency phone numbers
Try to get a Vietnamese-speaker to phone for you. Police: 113
Fire: 114 Ambulance: 11
|
