I have been meaning to talk about the latest crime warning from the US Consulate here in Saigon as well. I just remember reading their warning wondering which crime they were talking about. I live near the Pham Ngu Lao backpacker area, I have not heard of an increase of crime in this area expect for the normal pickpockets and backpack snatchers. I work in Thao Dien 5-6 days a week, have friends living here as well. I heard nobody mentioning increased amount of crime in this area. My staff and I also monitor 52 CCTV cameras across our campus and have no visible traces of crime here.
So the question is why the US Consulate is creating this false sense of crime in this city and across the country? Vietnam is quite safe. You can walk around at night, even travel on your motorbike into the early morning hours and still be safe. I have never been robbed in my nearly 7 years living in Vietnam. Never been a victim of a petty crime or theft.
Not to say that there are not crimes being committed. It is safe to say, if you are dead drunk, stoned, etc., then you are making yourself a candidate for theft, etc. I had a former roommate returning home with a black eye after his drunken altercation in the backpacker area. You hear of guys getting beat up by a bunch of Vietnamese guys but you never hear the reason why. Was he drunk, most likely. Did he think he could beat up a Vietnamese guy? Probably.
The lists goes on but the US Consulate should be giving more sound advice. It is better to say that being under the influence of alcohol or drugs may increase the incident of a crime being committed against you. Or even better, if you think you can beat up the little Vietnamese guy, better to look around your surroundings first to identify which of the other “little” guys are his friends because you are about to get your butt kicked. That makes sound advice…
Anyway, here is the article below and a link to the full article:
On March 30, the US Consulate General’s office issued a cryptic warning to US citizens living in Ho Chi Minh City.
“During the last seven months, the Mission has received reports and verified numerous instances of pick-pocketing, bag snatches, and residential break-ins targeting the expatriate community,” the statement, titled “Warden Message,” read. “Additionally, two residential guards of an expat compound were found murdered while on duty.”
The message also stated that “there have been acts of extreme violence in local nightspots frequented by expats, including District 1.” No details were provided, but Americans were advised to use “the buddy system” in the city.
Since then Thanh Nien Weekly has tried to verify the crimes, without success.
But the reports appear to have alarmed and confused the city’s community of foreigners.
Source: Thanh Nien News
Read Expats clamor over crime here -> http://www.thanhniennews.com/2010/Pages/20110505101309.aspx
If u read An Phu Neighbours Google Group there is constant chatter about break ins and muggings, many quite dangerous or violent with people being pulled of pushbikes by motor cyclists.
I know of quite a few people at my place of work who have been mugged/robbed or had their homes broken into.
The police are of no / little help
Maybe u need to dig a little deeper and ask around the community you work in (or TD D2) to get a different view
Similarly to Kevin’s personal experience, in my almost 7 years here in Saigon, I haven’t been a victim of any criminal activity. I feel quite safe anytime, day or night, walking around in Q.1. Perhaps that is because I don’t appear physically weak, I rarely drink alcohol and when I do, very little. There are numerous potential victims who are easier marks, no doubt, that are more likely to attract trouble.
I am surprised at the situation on Q.2. Perhaps that is because of the way the new communities are plopped down in an area with inadequate police services and many financially challenged neighbors.
I am considering a move to Q.4, a district with historically high rate of crime, according to the scuttlebutt I’ve heard in the past, so my sense of sanguinity may change, I sure hope not…
I would like to recommend to those readers here in Saigon to arrange a subscription to the Thanh Nien News and have the paper conveniently delivered to your door every Friday morning at no additional cost above the usual newsstand price, less than VND6000 a week. The paper was a daily for awhile but due to limited circulation the paper changed to a weekly. I’d hate to see the weekly dry up and blow away. Please subscribe, it is easy to do! The Thanh Nien News has an office on the east side Cong Quynh, just north of Nguyen Trai, on the ground floor. Stop by and subscribe.
Other than being a subscriber myself and having a two letters to the Editor published I have no involvement besides being a fan of their reportage.
The Thanh Nien News reprinted your blog post in today’s paper! But you already probably knew that…
Yeah they asked.