From Australias travel advice site regarding vietnam it sounds scary?

Question

Please have a quick look and tell me if they are being OVER worried? It sounds like I wont come out alive!

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Vietnam

Esp the comments about diseases from Mozzie bites!

Answer 1

I visited Vietnam plenty of times. There were no rape, I did not get mosquitos bite. It's actually pretty safe, except for the theft part. I suggest you take off any expensive jewelries

Answer 2

Pickpockets are everywhere, you can find them in Italy as well as New York city. If I lived in Vietnam, I probably feel much safer than anywhere else. Vietnamese people are not violent. If you get robbed in the US, chances are you also get killed.

Answer 3

Your government has produced guidelines highlighting the potential dangers - if they didn't some would accuse them being negligent. The facts are that opportunistic petty crime occurs in pretty much any city in the world. I would take the same precautions and care of my valuables whist in Vietnam as I would in any city. Immunization as advised by a good doctor would seem to be common sense. Dengue fever is a small risk in the far south of the country and avoidance of mosquito bites is sensible. The Australian government guidelines need to be put into the context of the actual risks to individuals, which are in fact very small. Violent crimes such as they exist do not usually involve tourists. If you are frightened of your own shadow, then don't come. If on the other hand you wish to visit an intriguing country with a unique culture and some of the nicest people you could hope to meet, then make a booking.

Just realised who the question was from : You should check out some of the blogs of female teachers here in Vietnam and get it from the horses mouth as it were.

Answer 4

Im an Australian and Ive travelled a fair bit in Asia, Africa and Central America. Personally, Im of the belief that the Australian Government website's warnings are totally overblown and out of context.

I travelled a lot in Vietnam last year, and here's what I found:

- Mosquito born diseases are a bit of a problem, but the very, very vast majority of people who go there end up getting bitten by mosquitos without getting sick. Malaria isnt as big a threat as people make out, especially if you're going to be in touristed and city areas very often.

Dengue Fever is a small risk, but it's very easy to avoid. Just use a good mosquito repellent every day and you'll be fine. Most hotels (even the very cheapest) in Vietnam either have screens of mosquito nets (or both) to prevent bites at night. Seriously. Mosquitos are nothing.

- Rapes and violent crimes: Sadly, the risk is slightly higher than in Thailand or Laos (and slightly lower than in Phnom Penn), but it all depends on common sense. Firstly, remember that thousands of single women visit the country every year and dont have a single problem. Like ANYWHERE on earth, it's important to be careful. Use common sense: Stay in well lit areas at night. Dont visit isolated parts of National Parks alone. Dont hitchhike. Watch for drink spiking etc. This is stuff you'd do even back home (or most people would). Remember that MOST Vietnamese are very conservative, and rape is VERY UNCOMMON. You can also help minmise the risk further by dressing conservatively.

Violent crime is very uncommon in Vietnam. It does happen, but it tends to happen in bad areas of cities where most tourists dont go. The biggest risk in the country is petty theft. Take measures to stop pickpockets and bag snatchers (not uncommon in HCMC), and ask your hotel to put your valuables in the safe for you.

IF you are unlucky enough to have any problems in the country, it will almost certainely be something like this. Petty theft that you wont even notice until later.

Finally, the only other thing to watch for is food drugging. Dont accept food from other people on buses or in clubs etc. It's sad to say that because the Vietnamese people are so generous, and people will often offer you food, just because they are being friendly, but the thing is, there is a very small (but serious) chance that the food could be drugged so that they can rob you when you pass out. This is very uncommon, but it does happen, so be aware.

The truth is, no one can 100% assure you of a safe trip, but overall, Vietnam is safe. Chances are, you will be accosted by cyclo drivers/taxi drivers/touts and sales people trying to sell you something or take you on a "city tour" as you walk around the city. This can be a little intimidating as they can be quite insistant, but remember, most of these people are hard working people trying to eek out a tough living. They arent trying to rob you, and often giving them a firm (but polite) response of: "No. Thank you. I have no time now." And continuing to walk, will stop them from hassling you pretty quickly.

THIS is probably your biggest risk in Vietnam, and it isnt much of one anyway.

So go, and have fun and dont stress out over what probably wont happen.

Answer 5

I have been living and working in Vietnam for over a year now - 9 months in the Mekong Delta, 5 months in HCMC. Vietnam is no better or worse than many other places in the world in terms of safety. There are streets in Melbourne and Sydney where I wouldn't hang out after dark - equally, there are places here where you need to have your wits about you. Like many travelling people, I love the place and have never had a reason to be concerned about my safety.

Answer 6

I thought the site was referring to Malaysia, Indonesia or Thailand. My point: "the bad" can happen to you anywhere in S E Asia. I keep getting rave reviews of Vietnam (mostly from men)... mmm... wonder why...

Answer 7

The aussies I know here in VN generally like it.

One of the safest places I have lived, and I have been to a lot of places. Over 40 countries the last time I tried to count.