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