Good Tips from US DoS for traveling in Việt Nam

Dao, you are the king of finding informative links. I am always impressed at the information you post.

Tran Hung Dao wrote:

I was researching for another thread and came across this really cool website from the US Department of State that basically has alot of the concerns and questions commonly asked.  I was really amazed that our (if you're an American) government is totally aware of this.  If I, the average American, arrived in Việt Nam, lacking knowledge about alot of the hazards that DoS talks about, then maybe you too are unaware.  So here's for your reading pleasure.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_t … _1060.html


Here are a few things I didn't know until TODAY.  I added my comments after each point.  Feel free to add your thoughts.


1] The Government of Vietnam may not allow or authorize you to travel to certain areas of Vietnam deemed sensitive. These travel limitations may also hinder the ability of the U.S. Government to provide assistance to you in those areas. U.S. citizens have been detained after traveling in areas close to the Vietnamese borders with China, Cambodia, and Laos. These areas are not always marked, and there are no warnings about prohibited travel. You should avoid such areas unless you obtain written permission in advance from local authorities.

So how do we avoid "such areas" if they're not always marked?

2] Tourists who visit Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh and want to spend the night on a boat should take caution. A boat sinking accident in Feb 2011 resulted in the deaths of 12 people, including 2 U.S. citizens, and revealed weaknesses in the management of some boat companies. You should consider taking overnight tours only with large, reputable companies. Smaller companies operating poorly equipped and managed boats may offer cheap prices, but can lead to unsafe tours.

Read about this but did not know 2 Americans died.

3] At any time, you should avoid large gatherings, such as those forming at the scene of traffic accidents, which can become violent with little or no warning.

I usually rubberneck these scenes and wondered why the locals stopped and gathered around.  Lack of entertainment?

4] Thieves congregate around hotels frequented by foreign tourists and business people and areas such as Hanoi's Old Quarter and Ho Chi Minh City's Ben Thanh Market, and assaults have been reported in outlying areas at night. Do not resist theft attempts and report them immediately to local police and to the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi or the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.

Didn't realize you should report to the Embassy.  Better keep this number handy for the US Consulate (84-8) 3520-4200.

5] You should immediately report the loss or theft of your U.S. passport to the local police and the U.S. Embassy or the U.S. Consulate General. You must obtain a police report from the local police office in order to apply for a replacement passport and a Vietnamese exit visa.

Ok, so I'll need that police report.

6] Some travelers reported being robbed by drivers who greeted them upon arrival with a placard showing the traveler's name. If you are expecting to be picked up, ask the company for the drivers name, phone number, and license plate number before you travel.

Sneaky...

7] You should use only airport taxis (currently Noi Bai taxi in Hanoi and Mai Linh or Vinasun in HCMC) or vehicles provided by hotels.

I didn't realize only two was permitted in HCMC.  I remember arriving and asking for Vinasun and a guy took me to the parking lot, told me he was Vinasun but the logo on his taxi was NOT Vinasun.  I hauled ass back to the airport.

8] Some scams target tourists. Specifically, tourists have been victims of gambling scams in the Pham Ngu Lao neighborhood of Ho Chi Minh City. This scam usually starts with a friendly invitation to someone's home to meet a relative interested in visiting or studying in the U.S. While waiting for this individual, a casual game of cards will start. Victims have reported starting the game with only a small wager but losing thousands of dollars over the course of an evening. Be aware that gambling outside of licensed casinos is illegal in Vietnam.

Don't go to Interesting scam.  Don't go to Phạm Ngũ Lão Neighborhood much, but good to be aware about hot chicks coming up to you wanting to know more about studying in the U.S.

9] The U.S. Embassy has also received occasional reports of incidents in which an unknown substance was used to taint drinks, leaving the victim unconscious or in a state similar to inebriation and unable to make appropriate decisions. To date, reports have included theft, but sexual assaults are also possible. Do not leave drinks or food unattended, and don't go to unfamiliar venues alone. You should also avoid purchasing liquor from street vendors, as the authenticity of the contents cannot be assured.

Read about these drugs in the States but didn't know they had them here.

10] Some U.S. citizens have reported threats of death or physical injury related to personal business disputes. The U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Consulate General cannot provide personal protection services. If you do not have confidence in the ability of the local police to protect you, you may wish to depart the country as soon as possible.

Can't the US Citizen just run and hide in the US Embassy until they can get an escort to the airport?

11] Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Well, those 25cent DVD's are crappy pixelated quality anyhow...so I've heard.

12]In some places in Vietnam, you may be taken in for questioning if you do not have your passport with you.

Ok, which places?

13] A 1994 agreement between the United States and Vietnam provides that Vietnamese officials should notify the U.S. Embassy of the detainment of a U.S. citizen within 96 hours of the arrest and that they give U.S. officials access to those citizens within 48 hours after notification of the arrest.

96 hours ...4 days.  Guess there's the one phonecall.

14] We have received complaints from English teachers at private language schools/companies. The most frequent complaints were that the schools and/or employment agencies misrepresented salaries, contract terms, working conditions, living arrangements, and other benefits, even when the employee had a written contract. There have also been some complaints of threats of arrest/deportation.

Threatening to deport a teacher...haven't heard that yet.  Any of you Teachers here been threatened with deportation?

15] Hotels in Vietnam require you to present your passport (and visas, if issued separately) upon check-in so that your stay can be registered with local police. Therefore, be sure to carry these documents with you if you change hotels. Every guest in a hotel room must be registered, and it is illegal for a foreigner to share accommodations with a Vietnamese national.

Did not know it was illegal to share mix-nationality accommodations.

16] It is illegal to import weapons, ammunition, explosives, military equipment and tools (including uniforms), narcotics, drugs, toxic chemicals, pornographic and subversive materials, firecrackers, or children's toys that have "negative effects on personality development, social order, and security.

So where do all these Xe-Om drivers get the BDU's (Battle Dress Uniform) from?

17] Blogging about the Vietnamese government and discussions in on-line chat rooms have also incurred scrutiny from authorities. The distribution of anti-Vietnamese propaganda is considered to be a terrorist offense by Vietnamese authorities. In most cases individuals are detained, questioned, and then released. In the past few years, many U.S. citizens were arrested, prevented from leaving Vietnam, and/or deported.

I bet this includes Expat-Blog Forum too.

18] Be cautious about drinking non-bottled water and about using ice cubes in drinks.

What's wrong with the ice-cubes?  They always serve them in the coffee.

19] Penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or causing an accident resulting in injury or death can include fines, confiscation of driving permits, and imprisonment. U.S. citizens involved in traffic accidents have been barred from leaving Vietnam until they have paid compensation (often determined arbitrarily) for property damage or injuries.

Didn't realize you can be detained/blocked from leaving Việt Nam.

Doa, this raises a few questions. Foremost in my mind is -> with all the other sh*t going on in virtually every part of the whole world these days, who the hell in the US Government is STILL holding such a grudge against Viet Nam after all this time ???
I like the questions you raised at the end of each paragraph.
Shows everyone how pathetic some idiot, pen-pushing, shiny-butted, narrow minded bureaucrats really are !

quite funny.
and do you really think that Our Embassy will help you...>?
the embassy is based on money...and all they really want is $.

good luck...how about becoming a Comedian in District 1
Capt.

These are all valid points.

18] Be cautious about drinking non-bottled water and about using ice cubes in drinks.

What's wrong with the ice-cubes?  They always serve them in the coffee.

I have seen many people who would never ever drink the water but have no problem with the ice which is made from the local water.
At the very least we usually rinse the ice first by pouring a little water over it and pouring it out.

Don't you know that almost every street drink/food shop use unfiltered/ non chlorinated water to make drinks and food?
Ice is the unavoidable thing for Vietnamese! Even rainy season!


 

VungTauDon wrote:

These are all valid points.

18] Be cautious about drinking non-bottled water and about using ice cubes in drinks.

What's wrong with the ice-cubes?  They always serve them in the coffee.

I have seen many people who would never ever drink the water but have no problem with the ice which is made from the local water.
At the very least we usually rinse the ice first by pouring a little water over it and pouring it out.