I was looking around online about safety in foreign countries. Many sites provided interesting and important information that I think we should keep in mind. Suggestions include:
1. Dress like the locals. People can be quite conservatively dressed in Vietnam. Even though it will be pretty warm, we should still mind their dress customs. Dressing immodestly and flashy/rich can be rude and create unwanted attention.
2. Have the addresses and phone numbers to American Embassies on hand.
3. If you buy bottled water from a street vendor, make sure it has not been tampered with.
4. In a hotel, keep valuables out of sight. When having your belongings in a hotel room, but you’re out exploring the city, put a “Do not disturb” tab on your door. This will make the illusion that you’re in the room, being less likely for people to pick your lock and rummage through your things. At night, maybe place a rubber wedge or chair against the door knob in case someone tries to enter while you are sleeping.
5. Don’t put all of your money in one place. Some sites suggest having a fake wallet with a little cash in it to throw past a mugger while you run the other direction. Interesting.
6. Walking facing traffic. Some sites say that when walking with traffic, a car can sneak up behind you to commit crime.
7. Don’t use unmarked and uncertified taxi cabs. If needed, ask for identification.
8. Be cautious of kids who want to play with you. Many kids are kind hearted, but a few have had bad influences and will try to pickpocket.
9. Place expensive items in unsuspecting places. For example, place your laptop under the mattress of your hotel before you leave your room to look around.
10. Travel in groups, not alone.
We’re all going to have a lot of fun and learn a lot on this trip, but safety is a thing we should always keep in mind. Reading and maybe following some of these suggestions can be helpful preventive measures. Petty crime, not violent crime, is dominant in Vietnam, so information related to theft should be emphasized.
These foreign travel suggestions and others can be reviewed in the following links: