R 081044Z JAN 09
FM AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5283
INFO AMEMBASSY HANOI 
AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY

UNCLAS HO CHI MINH CITY 000015 
 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/EAP/IP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT: 2009 ANNUAL OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL (OSAC) CRIME 
AND SAFETY REPORT 
 
REF: 08 STATE 132056, HCMC 1066 
 
¶I.  (U) OVERALL CRIME AND SAFETY SITUATION 
 
¶A.  Most travelers in Vietnam feel relatively safe and crime in 
general is similar to many other countries throughout the world. 
 Pick-pocketing and petty thefts are the most frequent types of 
crime-reports in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). Violent crimes, such 
as armed robbery and kidnappings remain rare in Vietnam, 
especially for the ex-pat community. 
 
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.  HCMC is experiencing a steady 
increase in this type of activity.  The most common 
modus-operandi is for thieves to utilize motorbikes in their 
assaults.  Thieves employ two people on a motorcycle with the 
passenger snatching the victim's cellular phone, camera, 
bag,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. 
 
During 2008, there have been several reports of USG permanent 
and temporary duty employees losing their cellular phones to 
this method of theft.  In some cases, a knife or other sharp 
cutting instruments used by the perpetrators to cut the strap, 
or to make a hole to reach in and steal valuables. 
 
In general, the safety and security of guest rooms in quality 
hotels is good.  Valuables and important documents (passport, 
etc.) should be kept inside a safe in the room (provided by many 
of the better hotels) 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.  If you must 
leave the bags, remove any valuables.  There have been no 
reports in 2008 of USG employees having items stolen from their 
hotel rooms or residences.  Their have been two occasions that 
Locally Engaged Staff (LES) have had their homes broken into and 
Consulate cell phones and ID stolen, along with LES personal 
affects.  There have been a number of incidents involving 
tourists leaving their bags on buses/boats and, upon their 
return, finding that their bags were stolen or rifled through 
for valuables. 
 
Credit card and ATM fraud is relatively uncommon and there have 
been no incidents reported to U.S. Consulate HCMC 
 
¶B.  Probably the two most dangerous activities in Vietnam are 
crossing the street and driving or riding in traffic.  The road 
system throughout Vietnam is chaotic and traffic rules are 
widely ignored. Police officials admit that they have a 
considerable problem controlling the steadily growing number of 
motorcycles and vehicles on their streets.  The lack of open 
sidewalks and adequate traffic controls (e.g. stoplights at 
intersections) creates a precarious situation for all 
pedestrians and motorists.  Motorcycle accidents are 
particularly common and serious in nature since motorcyclists 
generally have less training than car/truck drivers, are often 
unlicensed.  By western standards, the comparative death toll 
due to traffic accidents is staggering.  If you plan on riding a 
motorbike or bicycle in Vietnam you must wear a helmet. 
 
 
II.  (U) POLITICAL VIOLENCE 
 
The political situation in Vietnam is stable, with no known 
threat to Americans.  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.  Sporadic disputes have occurred between 
local residents and authorities, but foreigners have generally 
not been involved.  The most common political unrest experienced 
in 2008 have been Land Rights activists who gather and protest 
their land being seized by the GVN and not equitably reimbursed. 
 
 
III. (U) POST SPECIFIC CONCERNS 
 
VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE 
Small business ventures formed by U.S. citizens in conjunction 
with Vietnamese partners have occasionally 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, though no actual physical harm has ever 
been reported. 
 
PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 
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. 
 
In the past, individuals have been detained for traveling to 
sensitive areas and taking photographs of military installations 
or other sensitive areas/situations.  In business disputes, 
local police authorities may confiscate a U.S. citizen's 
passport and visa.  On a few occasions, individuals have not 
been allowed to leave the country until the dispute is resolved. 
 
 
IV. (U)  POLICE RESPONSE 
 
¶A.  There have been problems with consular access to American 
citizens. Frequently the Embassy or Consulate General is not 
notified when U.S. citizens are arrested or detained.  The 
Vietnamese government considers all persons born in Vietnam or 
born to Vietnamese parents to be Vietnamese citizens unless they 
have formally renounced their Vietnamese citizenship with the 
Vietnamese government.  For this reason, Vietnamese officials 
may treat U.S. citizens of Vietnamese origin differently from 
other U.S. citizens. 
 
¶B.  In the event of an emergency, the police can be contacted by 
dialing 113 (Vietnam's equivalent of 911) from a local 
telephone, though few of the 113 operators speak English. 
(Depending on the nature of the incident or ongoing situation, 
local citizens may assist foreigners in distress by contacting 
police or medical authorities).  If dialing 113 or assistance 
from local citizens is not a viable option, one should try to 
get to a western-type hotel where staff are far more likely to 
speak English and are generally very helpful in emergency 
situations.  If you are involved in a traffic accident, 
altercation, or other situation that draws a crowd, leave the 
immediate area and 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 police have been openly solicitous of 
compensation, ostensibly to support local police efforts or to 
facilitate an investigation of a crime. 
 
 
¶V. (U)  MEDICAL EMERGENCIES 
 
¶A. Clinics/hospitals catering to foreigners include in Ho Chi 
Minh City: 
 
SOS - 24-hour emergency clinic                  3829-852065 
Nguyen Du Street, District 1 
 
HCMC Family Practice                            3822-78483 
4 Le Duan Street, District 1 
 
FV Hospital                                     5411-33336 
Nguyen Luong Bang Street, District 7 
 
Maple Dental                                    3820-1999 
72 Vo Thi Sau Street, District 1 
 
¶B.  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. 
 
 
VI. (U) TRAVEL PRECAUTIONS 
 
¶A.  Try to minimize any potential losses ahead of time. When you 
go out, bring only what is needed and only what you can afford 
to lose.  If you are confronted, quickly give up whatever is 
demanded and then leave the immediate area and contact the 
police.  Protect identity documents and leave most of your 
valuables (including cash) in a safe place.  If you must carry a 
bag, purse, or backpack, carry it in a manner that would allow 
you to quickly and easily release it in an emergency. 
 
¶B.  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 prostitutes trying to solicit sex 
and grabbing a potential customer by the arm, but in reality 
stealing their watch.  When traveling at night, it is best to go 
with someone you know.  Don't take cyclos/pedicabs at night. 
 
If you are out late at night, take only metered/marked taxis, 
preferably from the larger taxi companies such as Saigon 
Tourist, Mai Linh Taxi, Vina Taxi and Vinasun.  Watch out for 
unattended drinks in Bars; drinks can be altered in order to 
incapacitate a potential victim.  Avoid unorganized / 
unauthorized gatherings such as street races or demonstrations. 
 
 
VII. (U) HOW TO CONTACT THE CONSULATE 
 
U.S. CONSULATE GENERAL 
4 LE DUAN BOULEVARD 
DISTRICT 1, HO CHI MINH CITY 
TEL: (84) (8) 3520-4200 
FAX: (84) (8) 3520-4244 
 
¶A. 
REGIONAL SECURITY OFFICER: 
(84) (8) 3520-4435 
 
OPERATOR: 
(84) (8) 3520-4200 
 
MEDICAL UNIT: 
(84) (8) 3520-4354 /6 
 
CONSULAR OFFICER: 
(84) (8) 3520-4446 
 
POLITICAL OFFICER: 
(84) (8) 3520-4405 
 
ECONOMIC OFFICER: 
(84) (8) 3520-4445 
 
DUTY OFFICER (CELLULAR PHONE): 
(84) (8) 90-392-4613 
 
 
VIII. (U) OSAC COUNTRY COUNCIL 
REGIONAL SECURITY OFFICER: 
(84) (8) 3520-4435 
 
ASSISTANT REGIONAL SECURITY OFFICER: 
(84) (8) 3520-4434 
 
U.S. FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SERVICE 
SAIGON CENTER 
9TH FLOOR 
65 LE LOI STREET 
DISTRICT 1, HO CHI MINH CITY 
(84) (8) 3825-0490 
 
 
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