2008 ANNUAL OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL

UNCLAS HANOI 000035 DEPT FOR DS/OSAC, DS/IP/EAP, DS/IP/ITA HCMC FOR RSO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC AMGT APER SUBJECT: 2008 ANNUAL OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL (OSAC) CRIME AND SAFETY REPORT - HANOI, VIETNAM REF: STATE 132056 ¶I. Overall crime and safety situation ¶A. Crime threats: vehicle thefts, personal robberies, and residential thefts. Although most travelers in Vietnam feel relatively safe, pick-pocketing and petty crimes do occur. Violent crimes such as armed robbery against Westerners or tourists remain rare. Drug use, which contributes significantly to the crime rate, is an increasing problem in Vietnam, particularly the increasing use of methamphetamine and intravenous drugs. Petty theft, purse snatching, and pick pocketing are most common in the areas frequented by foreigners such as major hotels, tourist sites, and public parks. One common method of purse snatching used throughout Vietnam 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. Several Embassy employees even had expensive cellphones snatched from their hands as they were talking. Frequently a thief skilled in the use of a razor blade cuts open a purse, or a backpack, or in one case in 2008, the pockets of an employee's cargo pants, in order to reach in and expertly lift items. A popular night market in Hanoi's old quarter was the scene of at least ten reported thefts in this manner from expatriates in 2008. People should never leave possessions unattended, particularly in public areas such as airports, parks, restaurants, hotel lobbies, etc. 2008 saw the theft of a purse left on the floor in a changing room, and multiple cell phones/blackberries lost as a result of leaving them in taxis. In general the safety and security of guest rooms in quality hotels is adequate. However, at one five-star hotel in Hanoi in 2008 an attempted robbery occurred that clearly showed the hotel's systems of locks on hotel room doors was inadequate to sufficient force. Valuables and important documents such as passports should be kept inside a safe in the room, or in a safety deposit box at the front desk. If on guided tours, secure your personal bags and if possible do not leave them on the tour bus/boat. It is not uncommon for tourists who leave the bags on buses/boats to find upon their return that the bags were rifled through. Individuals planning to lease homes or apartments within the city limits are advised to acquire properties properly outfitted with crime prevention devices. Burgleries against stand-alone homes in the Tay Ho (West Lake) and Ciputra residential areas continued throughout 2008. In one case burglars scaled a fence to steal car mirrors despite the presence of two dogs. In another instance, burglars entered a fenced yard to steal bikes and shoes left on the porch of a house. Normally however, criminals sought entry into houses they felt were unoccupied at the time. Credit card and ATM fraud is relatively uncommon, however as more businesses begin to accept credit cards, people are advised to closely monitor their records for fraudulent claims. Of more immediate concern are the repeated robberies of expatriates in large Western-style department stores, the big box retailers in Hanoi. A common operation involves several individuals surrounding an expatriate and knocking them down or off-balance and robbing them. Management of these stores has consistently been unhelpful and unsympathetic to the victims. B: Safety; road conditions and hazards. The two most dangerous activities in Vietnam are crossing the street and driving or riding in traffic. The road system throughout Vietnam is underdeveloped and traffic rules are widely ignored, while the economy grows and more and more vehicles with new drivers hit the streets. The lack of open sidewalks and adequate traffic controls creats a precarious situation for all pedestrians and motorists. In 2008 one Embassy visitor was hit by a motorbike as he crossed the street and had to be medevaced for a serious operation. Also in 2008, another expatriate was killed while riding his motorbike. One Embassy local employee suffered a broken shoulder and a broken leg as the result of another motorbike accident. Over 10,000 people were killed in traffic accidents in 2008, an average of 28 a day. This number is down by thirteen percent however, from 2007, in part due to a helmet law for all motorbike riders over the age of 14. Regardless of one's experience in other countries, walking in Hanoi demands one's full attention at all times. II. Political violence. ¶A. The political situation in Vietnam is stable, with no known specific threat to American citizens. However, Vietnamese-Americans known or suspected to be affiliated with anti-Vietnamese government organizations abroad have been harassed and in some cases arrested when visiting Vietnam. Visitors should respect local laws and customs, and avoid unauthorized gatherings or uncontrolled crowds. Exercise care in taking photographs - photographing of military, police, or other government facilities may result in questioning by the authorities and possible confiscation of the film and/or camera. ¶B. Vietnam is not known to harbor any regional terrorism groups. Some organized criminal elements do exist and usually concentrate their activities in the manufacture and distribution of drugs and counterfeit goods as well as extortion against businesses. ¶C. As with regional terrorism, Vietnam is not known to be the target of any international/transnational terrorist groups. ¶D. Sporadic disputes have occurred between local residents and authorities, but foreigners have generally not been involved. The most common political unrest experienced in 2008 has been land rights activists who gather and protest their land being seized by the government without receiving equitable reimbursement. III. Post specific concerns. ¶A. Flooding is a yearly occurrence in Vietnam in provinces adjacent to the sea, and while damaging to local people and businesses, rarely affects expatriates. Warnings are usually made well in advance and broadly disseminated, and evacuations are usually well-managed and thorough. ¶B. Transportation accidents are confined to road safety; with buses, cars, and motorbikes the most common perpetrators and victims. Air safety is considered to be adequate. ¶C. Small business ventures formed by U.S. citizens in conjunction with Vietnamese partners have ocassionally reported threats from their Vietnamese partners or employees if the business relationship deteriorates. Some foreign business people have faced threats, vandalism, and harassment in connection with their business dealings. One should assume that all rooms, telephones, and fax machines might be monitored. Similarly, all movements and activities may be subject to surveillance. Personal possessions, media, and documents kept in hotel rooms, apartments, or at the workplace may be searched. Visitors and residents should be cautious when discussing sensitive or proprietary information. IV. Police response. In the event of an emergency the police can be contacted by dialing 113 from a local telephone, though few of the 113 operators speak English. If dialing 113 or assistance from local citizens is not a viable option, one should attempt to go to a western-type hotel where staff are more likely to speak English and are generally helpful. If you are involved in a traffic accident, altercation, or other situation that draws a crowd, leave the immediate area and quickly contact the police. Be aware that police are often under-funded and lack training in a number of areas. While the overall situation is gradually improving, some people have been openly solicitous of compensation, ostensibly to support local police efforts or to facilitate an investigation of a crime. ¶V. Medical emergencies. Visitors and residents should be aware of the limitations of medical care in Vietnam. Even when adequate medical care is available at private clinics, it is often rather expensive. The quality of medical care in major cities is limited, and medical care in rural/provincial areas can be non-existent. American or Western medical insurance with medical evacuation coverage is highly recommended. When traveling outside of major cities emergency medical evacuation is limited to ambulances; there are no emergency medical evacuations via helicopter. International SOS Clinic 3934-0660; Emergency 3934-0555 Hanoi Family Clinic 3843-0748; Emergency 090-340-1919 Hanoi French Hospital 3577-1100; Emergency 3574-1111 VI. Travel precautions. ¶A. In 2008 there were repeated attempts to take unsuspecting passengers from the airport to Hanoi and charge them exorbitant rates. While a normal airport taxi should cost around eighteen dollars for the trip, several expatriates in 2008 were charged between one hundred and six hundred dollars; with the threat of physical violence used to get them to retrieve the money from an ATM. On at least three other occasions people were met by drivers who called them by their name and offered to take them into the city, when the travellers had not asked for or arranged a pick-up. All persons arriving in Hanoi should either be certain of who is picking them up or use only the licensed Airport taxis. Unless you are familiar and comfortable with one of the smaller taxi cabs, use taxis from the larger companies, such as Hanoi Taxi, Taxi CP, or Mai Linh Taxi. Many of the smaller taxis, although metered, are more dishonest and even though they begin cheaper, often end up costing three or four times as much as taxis from the larger companies. ¶B. Try to minimize any potential losses ahead of time. When going out, take only what is needed. If confronted by a robber, quickly give up whatever is demanded and then leave the immediate area and contact the police. Protect identity documents and leave most valuables in a safe place. If carrying a bag, purse, or backpack, carry it in a manner that would allow it to be quickly and easily released in an emergency. When out on the street, be as alert as possible to your surroundings and the people around you. Watch out for distractions such as kids surrounding you to sell something and then picking your pockets, or someone asking you the time on one side while another person on the other side of you attempts to steal your possessions. VII. Embassy points of contact. U.S. Embassy Hanoi 7 Lang Ha Dong Da District (84) 4-3-850-5000 Regional Security Officer (84) 4-3-850-5106 Embassy Operator (84) 4-3-850-5000 Medical Unit (84) 4-3-850-7175 Consular Affairs (84) 4-3-850-6133 Political Section (84) 4-3-850-5168 Economic Section (84) 4-3-850-5013 Marine Post One (84) 4-3-850-5105 VIII. Osac Country Council. Headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City. U.S. Foreign Commercial Service Saigon Center 9th Floor 65 Le Loi Street District 1 (84) 8-3825-0490 MICHALAK