Robbers in Vietnam

Unusual Suspects:

The first type: they are dressed  like rich business people. They are swift and are not obvious to their potential victims, at a moments notice they rob their victims when given the opportunity. These characters haunt downtown Saigon or shopping malls;

The second type: Are on foot, standing on the sidewalk pretending to buy from food vendors or 'reading' books whilst actually observing potential victims;

The third type: often drive around on bikes hunting potential victims. They will strike whilst you are driving, stopped at a light or even eating in a restaurant!

Also common robbers will even steal dogs on leashes attached to their owners.

Foreigners are the target of choice:

The Ben Thanh Market area, as well as Le Thanh Ton are popular areas with thieves, as are shopping malls and outside marketing areas.

Another hot spot for robberies is the Le Lai / Pham Hong Thai / Truong Dinh area where robberies of Foreign tourists are a daily occurrence. Another is the Park 23/9.

Ben Thanh market have increased their guard count. This simply persuades the robbers to hunt elsewhere like Nguyen Hue, Pham Ngu Lao and Tran Hung Dao.

Equal opportunity robbers

The robbers are, at least,fair and steal from Foreigners and Locals alike. 

Advise--Don't be dumb....
Foreigners can be naive and set their cameras on automatic so as to include themselves in the picture. Not known to miss an opportunity, a robber simply scoops the camera and drives off. Other robberies occur when a VNese volunteers to take a picture for tourists, and when they are getting ready for the shot the 'volunteer' photographer runs away!

Dusk might be the bewitching hour for tourists but it is the most opportune time for robbers, too. Singly, or in pairs, using motorcycles, they approach victims ready to snatch handbags, necklaces, cell phones, or other bling before departing.

Hot robbery spots (all touristy areas, we don't go to these areas)

The Pham Hong Thai / Le Lai intersection in District 1; Notre Dame Cathedral; the Central Post Office; the bigNguyen Hue roundabout (traffic circle); Park 23/9; the front areas of shopping malls. 

Never walk near the curb

The most popular trick is snatching bags, necklaces and cell phones of Foreigners who are walking near the curbside or even on the roadway.  Paul and I don't carry bags or wear jewelry   I have the crappiest phone in VN so I'm not a target.

Drug addiction drives the trade

Many robbers are also drug addicts. The police’s claim of 10 arrests, up to 7-8 robbers are drug addicts.