Safe areas in HCMC?

Come to District 1 ...

sghsaigon wrote:

Come to District 1 ...

Why Quan 1, because that's where the highest ratio of Foreigners is to be found and we all know Foreigners are rich! And easy pickings, too.

Personal security

Seriously, some of the safest places, other than gated communities are in Vietnamese areas - other than Quan 4, where even the VNese get knocked off - because as a Foreigner the watch most everything you do even more carefully than they do their own business.

They know strangers in their 'turf' and watch out for you, once they get to know you. The thieves also operate on the old principal of Don't sh*t on your own back step, which means if you are going to do crime, not around your home area.

Apartment/house security

Another safety item is the front door. Most front doors are an easy out for thieves. They come in generally two flavours (A) a unsubstantial door behind a (very squeaky) sliding barred gate, secured by padlocks; (B) a stout, regular door with locks in it.

The first door type is easy to secure, as long as you don't buy a cheap lock.

The second type is the one that needs work. Accept that VNese locks  are, in the main, insecure. There are two locks on the front door of the condo I use as an office: one is a regular 'squiggly' Yale type lock and the other has an impressive 'flat' key with dimples in it.

If the two, the flat key dimpled type is the easiest to open with two very simple devices - a 'L' shaped piece of metal that fits the slot, and a 'probe' which has a small, very square-shaped hook on the end. Most people can learn how within 30 minutes.

The Yale-type lock is more of a challenge. Again specialised tools are required. But the technique, that is harder.

On the door frame I fit stainless steel plates that have holes aligned to the lock 'tongues'. I also had the fabricator put a few tack welds on the face of the plate in front of the holes - which screws up the 'credit card' keys (or very flexible flat metal).

Where the plate bends around the inset for the door and then out in to the front, I had a small diameter stainless rod welded so to stop anything being forced between the plate and the door.

Finally, the plate extends  forward so it partially covers the lock key slot - picking requires full access to the key slot.

To make the door secure from both sides I make one of the locks a dead-bolt with a lock on both sides - which means a key is required for exit either way. (This should be left unlocked, or a key left in the slot, overnight in case of emergency). Changing the lock screws, or drilling out the slot, makes it difficult the unscrew.

I also add locks to bedroom doors and any room where there are windows.

Alarms

If you have either money or the ability, fit motion detectors in the apartments/houses. My front door alarm is always triggered when the door is opened, unless I push my bell push before opening the door.

But little beats a nosy neighbour.

Security guards are a risk

Security guards are generally very poorly paid and they supplement their income by renting parking spaces (illegally) to people in the neighbourhood. Non-residents in a building are a security weakness. Watch for users carefully, especially those who park and walk out of the complex.

Personal security

Normal precautions should be taken. Most street crime in TP HCM involves snatching and motorcycles whereas Ha Noi is predominantly pick-pocketing.

Jaitch wrote:

Security guards are

.....only witnesses.... I would be hard pressed to think they would actually get involved if a crime is in the process of their watch....

Thanks everyone for your answer. So far the conclusion is to stay clear of Dist. 4 I guess.
Jaitch you're are not a locksmith are you:) I think I'm just gonna trust that about 3 locks will hold buglars off enough until some neighbor gets suspicious.

Actually I change my own locks, on the principle that the fewer people who know what I have in my property is better.

Don't be paranoid, VN is safer than many countries, Interpol says, just, as anywhere, be aware of your surroundings. Any criminal activity is proceeded by silence, absence of people, etc. all of which are abnormal.

A lot of crimes involve the use of motorcycles either committed on, from or used for escape.

I read of a woman recently who, whilst driving her motorcycle and wearing her bag across her body was attacked by the passenger of another motorcycle who was trying to cut her strap - all whilst mobile.

Th only thing I have lost in 20 years is a T-shirt in a bag - shortly after I landed.

People complain of their phone being stolen whilst they walked along talking on it. Surprise, that happens in London and Toronto. Backpacks, worn over one shoulder are at risk, but at least they don't slash them s they do in New York.

I have a luggage rack on on the front of my motorcycle, no one would ever stealing from that. Always use two straps to secure things, so if one is cut ...

My motorcycle is particularly theft resistant with a modified lock, engine disabler, alarm, etc. I also put a chain through the wheels if I am going on a trip, or leaving it parked for a while (manhole covers are great for securing things as they hav handles through which you can pass a chain.

VN is a land of offensive tools: grinders, portable welders, etc. but fortunately few are battery powered. Any of these can make fairly short work of cutting through things But multiple locks, of different styles, will slow things down.

Most crime here is 'opportunity' rather than planned. All you have to do is eliminate the opportunity part.

Each district have its dangerous area, my friend. Just keep an eye on your stuff carefully, and you'll be fine.

Around Distr 1, 3 or Phu Nhuan is OK.

Make friend with some local Vietnameses, WHO YOU CAN TRUST, they'll show you around. Shouldn't hang around too much on Pham Ngu Lam street, it's a fun, but not a good place to stay.

Good luck!