Crime in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

To the person who asks where this information is coming from: me, and my ten trips to Vietnam in the past three years. Overall, the risk of any life-threatening crime is minimal, and most people are very nice and helpful. That being said, on one trip with eight colleagues, all but one (me) had their phones snatched right from their hands on the streets. I also had a friend dragged down the street when a bag-snatcher on a scooter didn't manage to cut through her strap properly. These are EXTREMELY common crimes. I've also been blocked by aggressive men from leaving a massage parlor until I gave them all my cash, I've been taken to the middle of nowhere in fake cabs made-up like real ones, and had someone jump in front of me at night, and grab my privates while their friend took my phone. These are serious concerns that can and do happen all the time. For the rest, is pretty safe. Just be very careful not to burn your leg on a motorbike exhaust pipe (the biggest danger outside of crime). Tips? One : Download the Grab app. Free, and prices for car and motorbike cabs are preset. It's scam free. Two: don't walk around at night alone, and keep your guard up for anything sudden or unsolicited. Three: don't take anything out along a street, and use backpacks, double shoulder gym bags, or fanny packs to hold valuables. If you need to use your phone, hold it firmly covering all edges, and try to stay as far from the traffic as possible. Four: for any service like massage, nails, and beauty, use TripAdvisor to select a reputable establishment. Do not just walk in somewhere random off the street, no matter how friendly or innocent it seems. Five: learn to cross the street calmly, slowly, and surely. Never run or panick.

Acid attacks are the most disturbing because you will never recover. Yep, it happens pretty much everyday in Vietnam.

Vietnamese are hard wired to hate foreigners, dont let the smiles fool you. One night this 16 year old schoolgirl selling roses at night told me to get out of her country just because i didnt want her flowers. I merely told her no in a nice tone but she became hostile.

Dont walk around holding your girlfriends hand if you are a foreigner and she is vietnamese. This provokes viet males to anger. And dont kiss in public either.

Second time HCMC have hated it dsck of the smell, food and constant harassment to buy get on motorbike etc.
I am looking forward to getting bzck to Australia good food and left in piece.
Amen to that

Like everyone else, just keep your belongings hidden. Stay in a nice hotel ($30 a night), and leave extra money and valuables in the room safe or at the desk safe. All the hotels I've been to there are extremely helpful and safe. Very little violent crime especially against foreigners. Most violence is among drug deals or other business deals. Don't do drugs or business there and you'll be ok. I love going there.

Petty crimes and robberies are a huge problem in Vietnam. Keep your things safe and secure. Other than that, it's a relatively safe City with many nice people. I love it there. Homicides are very rare. Streets are empty after 12, please do not walk outside at night, because of high risk of getting robbed. Travel in groups or before 10pm. There are many people outside on the streets from 6AM-10pm. Don't leave valuables in visible sight. You're much more likely to be killed in the U.S. than in Vietnam. So if you aren't carrying any valuables, you have little to be afraid of.

bag snatchers everywhere. Women beware. Also never get you phone out in busy public areas especially near roads where bike riders often sweep past and grab anything worth taking right out your hand. I lived there for 3 months and my partner was robbed once, I must have witnessed over 20 robberies in that time. It's also getting worse year on year as the rich poor divide grows and grows.