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This is not really a big problem espcially if you keep your backpack locked but be careful of these innocent cuties, especially,if you're a Caucasian. Vietnamese children will usually target you and badger you to buy postcards, hats, little grasshoppers made from grass, etc. It's very difficult to refuse them because they are such sweethearts. But giving money to one will encourage the rest to swarm to you like bees to honey. Also, do take note that while you are paying attention to one cute child, another could be helping himself to your wallet when you're not watching! Update: Well, even if you're not Caucasian, you'd better take note of this warning as well. My poor hubby recently got pickpocketed in HCMC, or shall I say backpack-pocketed? Some light-fingered fella unzipped his backpack and fished out his new cell phone. Amazingly, his wallet was left untouched. Well, not so surprising, if you consider that it looks like yesterday's lunchbag Wanna avoid getting mugged by a cyclo rider? click on b'packer's hcmc page to find out more Leave a Comment
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| | | | Thieves & Beggers: Conned on a Joy Ride | Tip Rating: | | | | |
TIP: Personally, I have nothing against cyclos even though I was harassed to death by them. But it just pays to be careful, especially if you are a solo female traveller or even a 100kg American male!Yup, I think after reading these 2 real life-accounts, you just just might be a tad bit more careful. Story 1: A new Aussie friend told me how she was nearly conned of USD20 when she took a joy ride on one of those quaint cyclos. The driver took her to a God-forsaken district and threatened not to cycle her back until she paid him! Well, the good news is that she outwitted him back and said..... a) She wasn't American so she only had dong; b) She didn't have that much dong with her with her in the first place! Thumbs up to her. She paid him half the amount and got back safe and sound to tell me this tale. * Story 2: Recent Update: Never ever hop unto a cyclo for sight-seeing unless you are God-Dammed sure about the asking price! My husband's American colleague recently got harassed by an unusually aggressive cyclo when he did just that. Yeah, what was supposed to be a quaint, Vietnamese cyclo-sightseeing experience turned to something more reminiscent from "The Fugitive" after the cyclo demanded 1 million dong for half a day's efforts. Why the fugitive? Well, after my husband's colleague refused to pay 1 million dong ( He gave him a lower fee ) , he was chased around Vietnam until he took refuge in his hotel. Hotel security was called and the cyclo disappeared . But after that, the colleague had a serious case of paranoia each time he left the hotel. At the back of this mind, there was a cyclo lurking around with homicidal tendencies so he stuck to my poor hubby like a remora (sucker fish) after that * Wanna avoid being mugged by children? click on b'packer's hcmc page to find out more Leave a Comment
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I still see a lot of people refusing ice here, don't worry, expect for a few dodgey street vendors, everywhere does sell clean ice. I've seen some postings saying they saw ice in big blocks sitting under tarps of the street or being carried on the back of a bike, this is cooling ice. The drinking ice is transported alot more safely. Tap water on the other hand is very much to be avoided, ok for brushing teeth, but if there is a heavy down pour avoid this aswell (especially in Hanoi or smaller cities). The fresh water and sewer systems have a tendency to mix if it floods. Leave a Comment
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