Vietnam 2017 Crime & Safety Report: Hanoi
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Vietnam 2017 Crime & Safety Report: Hanoi Overall Crime and Safety Situation U.S. Embassy Hanoi does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The ACS Unit cannot recommend a particular individual or establishment and assumes no responsibility for the quality of services provided. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE HAS ASSESSED HANOI AS BEING A MEDIUM- THREAT LOCATION FOR CRIME DIRECTED AT OR AFFECTING OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT INTERESTS. Please review OSAC’s Vietnam-specific webpage for proprietary analytical reports, Consular Messages, and contact information. Crime Threats Although most travelers feel relatively safe, pickpocketing and petty crimes occur in Vietnam quite frequently. Petty theft, purse snatching, and pickpocketing are most common in crowded areas frequented by foreigners (major hotels, tourist sites, airports, public parks). Beware of street children. One common method of purse snatching employs two people on a motorcycle with the passenger snatching the victim’s bag, camera, cellular phone, etc., often while traveling at the same speed or faster than street traffic. This method can be especially dangerous to victims if the straps of the bag are over the shoulder or around the neck, as the victim can be pulled down or dragged by the strap until it breaks. This is an ongoing, often dangerous trend. In some cases, a knife or other sharp cutting instrument is used to cut the strap or to make a hole to reach in and steal valuables. Avoid carrying handbags. In general, the safety and security of guest rooms in quality hotels is adequate. In 2016, several burglaries were reported in the Tay Ho and Ciputra residential areas, both popular neighborhoods within the expatriate and diplomatic communities. The Regional Security Office is aware of instances of domestic help stealing valuables from employers. In one case, a housekeeper forged her employer’s signature on a check and withdrew over US$60,000 from their bank account. Violent crimes (armed robbery, kidnappings, murder) against Westerners or tourists remain relatively rare but appear to be on the rise. 2016 has seen a sharp increase in reports of sexual assault. Although the majority of these incidents involved groping, several rapes of third-country nationals were also reported. There have been reports of drinks being altered in order to incapacitate victims in bars and restaurants frequented by expatriates. For more information, please review OSAC’s Report “Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad.” Due to Vietnam’s laws regarding assault, there is very little a victim can do if the assault does not cause injury or property damage. Other Areas of Concern While the Embassy has not declared any areas off-limits, travelers should be aware that certain areas of the Central Highlands bordering Cambodia and Laos are considered politically 1 sensitive by the government of Vietnam; these areas, however, are accessible to tourists. Foreigners must enter/exit Vietnam through a major international land/sea port and cannot cross overland into Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, or China except at designated international checkpoints. The government restricts travel and photography in some areas, including near military facilities and sensitive border areas. Individuals should be alert for signs warning of zones where photography is restricted. Photographing military, police, or other government facilities may result in detention and questioning by authorities, as well as the confiscation of film or photography equipment. For more information, please review OSAC’s Report “Picture This: Dos and Don’ts for Photography.” Transportation-Safety Situation Road Safety and Road Conditions The combination of a chaotic road system and complete disregard for traffic laws make crossing the street and driving/riding in traffic two of the most dangerous activities in Vietnam. Police are unable to control the rapidly increasing numbers of vehicles, which include cars, trucks, and motorcycles/motor scooters. The number of traffic enforcement police is insufficient to deal with the number of vehicles on the road. Additionally, poorly maintained sidewalks, inadequate traffic controls (stoplights at intersections), and the common practice of using sidewalks as a speed lane or a parking space for motor scooters creates a precarious environment for pedestrians. Vehicles, particularly city buses, do not yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Accidents involving motor scooters are common, and a motor vehicle accident can quickly draw large crowds with heated arguments. Drivers of cars and motor scooters alike routinely text on their cell phones while driving, further aggravating erratic driving behaviors. By Western standards, the comparative death toll from traffic-related accidents is staggering. Although the government of Vietnam requires that all motor scooter drivers and riders wear a helmet, there are no safety standards for helmets. As a result, the vast majority of helmets are substandard and provide minimal, if any, protection. Those planning to drive/ride motor scooters are strongly urged to use a U.S. Department of Transportation-approved helmet. If the passenger of a vehicle opens a car door and hits or causes injury to a passing motor scooter, the driver of the vehicle is responsible and will be detained by police. Furthermore, the individual’s driver’s license will be confiscated for an indefinite period of time. Public Transportation Conditions Visitors are prohibited from renting cars; therefore, travel outside of major cities requires the use of trains, buses, or private cars. There are a number of choices with a wide range of quality and safety standards. Trains are old, slow, and are not up to Western standards, but accidents and other safety issues are very rarely reported. Buses and private car choices vary depending on how much individuals are willing to pay. Hotels and travel agencies are the preferred way to book private transportation services and will generally provide details on the quality and condition of the vehicles that will be provided. 2 It is recommended to take only metered/marked taxis while out at night, preferably from larger taxi companies (Hanoi Taxi, CP Taxi, Mai Linh Taxi). Uber and Grab Taxi are popular and generally safe to use where available. Be aware that less reputable taxi drivers have painted their vehicles to resemble more reputable taxis companies. Do not take a taxi that looks suspicious (no meter, no signage) and be aware of the frequency of drunk drivers at night. If you smell alcohol on the breath of a driver or in a vehicle, get out and find a new ride. Other Travel Conditions Pedestrians do not have the right of way, even when crossing with the light in a crosswalk. When crossing the street, even within a crosswalk, look both ways before stepping into the street. Pedestrians should walk at a steady pace, following a predictable path toward the opposite side. Do not zig zag, stop, speed up, or slow down suddenly. Motor scooter drivers will navigate around you as long as they can predict your location in the crosswalk based on your speed and path. It is absolutely imperative that adults tightly hold the hands of children near/in a crosswalk. Buses do not slow down for pedestrians in crosswalks. Legitimate tour guides and operators must be licensed and registered. In 2016, Vietnam experienced an unusual surge in the number of tourists who died while engaged in routine tourism activities, including one fatality and numerous severe injuries resulting from a bus crash, and multiple drownings at waterfalls and beaches. Many boat tourism operators do not have basic safety and rescue equipment on their vessels. Terrorism Threat THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE HAS ASSESSED HANOI AS BEING A LOW-THREAT LOCATION FOR TERRORIST ACTIVITY DIRECTED AT OR AFFECTING OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT INTERESTS. Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE HAS ASSESSED HANOI AS BEING A LOW-THREAT LOCATION FOR POLITICAL VIOLENCE DIRECTED AT OR AFFECTING OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT INTERESTS. Civil Unrest Civil unrest is highly discouraged by public security officials. Demonstrations, protests, and marches are permitted with a government-issued permit only. Although public security officials will periodically allow smaller, more spontaneous demonstrations to proceed, once the size of the crowd reaches a certain level, the police will typically end the protest, using force if necessary. In 2016, pollution of coastal waters in central Vietnam by a Taiwanese chemical company resulted in the deaths of millions of fish, negatively impacting the environment, economy, and livelihoods of those areas. Subsequently, demonstrations erupted in affected areas, eventually triggering large-scale protests in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City against the Vietnamese government. The government proceeded to ban further demonstrations, although small demonstrations in Da Nang occur periodically. 3 Religious/Ethnic Violence In May 2014, actions by China in the East Sea (South China Sea) caused anti-Chinese fervor that turned violent for several days, with demonstrators targeting businesses believed to be Chinese-owned. The provinces of Binh Duong and Dong Nai with their dense concentration of foreign-owned industrial parks were hit particularly hard. Businesses were looted, vandalized, and set on fire, and an unconfirmed number of foreign nationals were killed in attacks and worker-led riots. Less than 10% of