Vietnam in November

hkrz

hkrz

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I will spend next two weeks traveling around Vietnam. Starting in Saigon, then off to Phu Quoc Island and back to Saigon probably through Vinh Long and Ha Tien.

I would like to ask RFF members about a few "usual things"😱

I plan to take Bessa + 40.14 + 12 rolls of Fuji Superia 1600 (versatility) and Rollei and 10 rolls of Fuji 160 NS for "important things".

Bessa is "expandable", but I must come back with Rollei.

My view on theft subject in Vietnam was that, a common sense should prevent any disasters. However I've read a LP guide and there are more than a few warnings about thiefs, bag snatcher etc. There's even recommendation to fix yourt belongings while in restaurants, bars etc.

I would like to ask, what's real photographer's experience?

Is Billingham a theft magnet and I should put my cameras in non-photographic one?

Thank you for any help
 
Vietnam is a wonderful place, I would go back in a minute if I had the time and budget. One day I will go back and see more of it. The people there were really nice, the food fantastic and the sites and scenery wonderful. I may not be able to do it justice in a few words, but want to get on to some of your questions, so here goes...

I'm not a professional photographer but do consider my photos to be "real" (even the digital ones). 😀

I had a DSLR with two lenses (my pre-film, pre-RF days!), I didn't attract any more or less attention with it than the other tourists. I kept it in a green Crumpler bag, which I think helped. Compared to the guys with huge black Lowe backpacks full of zoom lenses and tripods hanging of the side, your equipment will go un-noticed. The cities are really dense and some tourist sites really busy, so you will often be surrounded by many people in the streets/sidewalks and should take the usual precautions. I always kept the camera strap around my neck or wrist securely and when in the bag I kept the strap over the opposite shoulder. No problems, any time.

When in restaurants, cafes and bars I also made sure the camera was in the bag if not in use and the strap of the camera bag hooked around the chair, and again no problems.

I have read in many threads here that ISO over 800 may be sensitive to airport Xray machines. Read up on that and consider a 400 or 800 for colour and a 400 you can push for B&W in low light. I'm no expert on the Xray machines, but I'm sure others who know more about it will comment.

Most of all, have fun and enjoy!
Rob
 
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hkrz said:
There's even recommendation to fix yourt belongings while in restaurants, bars etc.
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'Even'?! This is just sensible when traveling. Always know where all your belongings are and make sure they cannot be easily taken, especially without you noticing. If you ignore your belongings, they will probably be stolen.

Watch out for scooter snatch and run thefts; they are very common in cities in Vietnam. Walk with your bag away from the road if walking along the road and always keep the strap across your body rather than just over one shoulder.

hkrz said:
Is Billingham a theft magnet and I should put my cameras in non-photographic one?
Click to expand...

A Billingham is a thief magnet; find the least remarkable bag you can, with a strong strap and made out of a material that cannot be easily cut. This is good sense anywhere, not just in Vietnam.

Marty
 
Billingham should be fine. I'm a Vietnamese from Saigon and go back quite regularly.

• As for theft, just make sure you look casual and don't be afraid of them. If you ever travel on bike (or taken motorbike taxi), make sure your bag & camera sandwiched in between you and the rider - they won't be able to snatch that.
• If you ran out of film, there's a Fuji prolab sells quite a wide range of film on Nam Ki Khoi Nghia & Ly Tu Trong street (at the corner)
• On street, people are friendly and you can take as many photographs as you want. Make sure you put on a smile after the shot : )

Most of all, enjoy yourself and consume lots of Vietnamese foods. They're delicious 😀

Best,
 
Apart from what you've already been told ...basically always be aware of your surroundings and the people around you. Always secure your valuable belongings - camera bag strap across your chest not over a shoulder; if you dont have a safe in your hotel room, always keep your valuables on you and dont be side tracked from them; I like below the knee shorts with velcro pockets on the thighs for things like phones and wallets (noisy to access and harder to reach at that level); and my number one advice...

In Asia, if anyone you don't know approaches you and tries to engage in any conversation, they are attempting to work an angle of some kind on you (even if its only selling something). No ifs, buts or maybes - in 12+ years of living in Asia across multiple countries, I have never seen an exception
 
I've been dragging all sort of cameras through all sort of places where alot of thief and robbery took place all over Vietnam for the last 3 years but I'm still safe. Just be careful enough, use a non-descriptive bag, hang close, put under your leg or on table when sitting.

PM me when you're in Saigon. I can take you around after 6pm and at weekend 😉 It's very rainy this time of the year and certain part are flooded, so dont bring too many trouser. Phu Quoc is the same, heavy rains for half of the day is normal, strong wind and rough sea to be expected.

Not sure about the X-ray thing but 1600 is indeed high for airport, ask to be hand-check.
 
biakalt said:
Billingham should be fine. I'm a Vietnamese from Saigon and go back quite regularly.

• As for theft, just make sure you look casual and don't be afraid of them. If you ever travel on bike (or taken motorbike taxi), make sure your bag & camera sandwiched in between you and the rider - they won't be able to snatch that.
• If you ran out of film, there's a Fuji prolab sells quite a wide range of film on Nam Ki Khoi Nghia & Ly Tu Trong street (at the corner)
• On street, people are friendly and you can take as many photographs as you want. Make sure you put on a smile after the shot : )

Most of all, enjoy yourself and consume lots of Vietnamese foods. They're delicious 😀

Best,
Click to expand...

The film shop is on the corner of Nam Ki Khoi Nghia and Le Thanh Ton, the only well-stock (sort of) shop left in Saigon
 
Freakscene said:
...

Watch out for scooter snatch and run thefts; they are very common in cities in Vietnam. Walk with your bag away from the road if walking along the road and always keep the strap across your body rather than just over one shoulder.
...

Marty
Click to expand...

That even includes watches. I lost mine in 1970 in Can Tho that way. All I could do was stand there and watch it motobike down the street with the snatcher looking back and leering at me.

biakalt said:
...

Most of all, enjoy yourself and consume lots of Vietnamese foods. They're delicious 😀

Best,
Click to expand...

That is a fact! I don't think I ever ran across a Vietnamese food I didn't like, including the fertilized eggs of duck. But if you want to try that, be sure to ask how to best enjoy eating it.
 
craygc said:
In Asia, if anyone you don't know approaches you and tries to engage in any conversation, they are attempting to work an angle of some kind on you (even if its only selling something). No ifs, buts or maybes - in 12+ years of living in Asia across multiple countries, I have never seen an exception
Click to expand...

FYI - I found this to be true as well, not that it happened all that often but it does happen.
 
craygc said:
In Asia, if anyone you don't know approaches you and tries to engage in any conversation, they are attempting to work an angle of some kind on you (even if its only selling something). No ifs, buts or maybes - in 12+ years of living in Asia across multiple countries, I have never seen an exception
Click to expand...

This may tell you something about how you are perceived by strangers. Not to say that is who are you, but rather how you come across.

A tall, male friend of mine noticed that when he was traveling alone, strangers rarely chatted him up. However when with others especially women and/or children, it was a different story.
 
I have only read about the motorbike snatchers in guide books and not from anyone in my personal nor professional circles in Vietnam. I am usually somewhere in Vietnam twice a year either for work or pleasure and this is the country I recommend out of all others in SE Asia. I carry my Billingham across my chest and my Leica with the strap around my wrist. I go everywhere on foot and wander for hours with no threats whatsoever. The chances of losing your valuables isn't anywhere near say in Rome or the Parisian subways.
 
craygc said:
In Asia, if anyone you don't know approaches you and tries to engage in any conversation, they are attempting to work an angle of some kind on you (even if its only selling something). No ifs, buts or maybes - in 12+ years of living in Asia across multiple countries, I have never seen an exception
Click to expand...

+1
From stealing your kidney to selling you fake watches. Just use common sense. When in doubt, walk away with a smile. They know you were well advised.
 
tj01 said:
+1
From stealing your kidney to selling you fake watches. Just use common sense. When in doubt, walk away with a smile. They know you were well advised.
Click to expand...

plus, if anyone attempt to abuse you on the street (in any case), just don't make eye contact, look straight and ignore them.
 
robbeiflex said:
When in restaurants, cafes and bars I also made sure the camera was in the bag if not in use and the strap of the camera bag hooked around the chair, and again no problems.
Click to expand...

Well, in all my travels I've never attached my belongins to chairs or table, but it maybe a good idea. I have even special lock for that. Never used though.

craygc said:
In Asia, if anyone you don't know approaches you and tries to engage in any conversation, they are attempting to work an angle of some kind on you (even if its only selling something). No ifs, buts or maybes - in 12+ years of living in Asia across multiple countries, I have never seen an exception
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip! I've experienced this in Instanbul to the extreme! It was so persistent that I grew to dislike the place. After being offered with all kinds of brothel related services, I had enough. Istanbul - never again 😡


Freakscene said:
Watch out for scooter snatch and run thefts; they are very common in cities in Vietnam. Walk with your bag away from the road if walking along the road and always keep the strap across your body rather than just over one shoulder.

A Billingham is a thief magnet; find the least remarkable bag you can, with a strong strap and made out of a material that cannot be easily cut. This is good sense anywhere, not just in Vietnam.

Marty
Click to expand...

What you wrote for me is common sense, like wearing strap accros the chest.

My question about Billingham was based on the fact that in some countries, like Poland for example, it's regarded as normal, boring bag. Lowpro, especialy backpack means to allmost anyone: Expensive camera inside!!!. In a way it's a cultural thing.

Rayt said:
I have only read about the motorbike snatchers in guide books and not from anyone in my personal nor professional circles in Vietnam. I am usually somewhere in Vietnam twice a year either for work or pleasure and this is the country I recommend out of all others in SE Asia. I carry my Billingham across my chest and my Leica with the strap around my wrist. I go everywhere on foot and wander for hours with no threats whatsoever. The chances of losing your valuables isn't anywhere near say in Rome or the Parisian subways.
Click to expand...

Ahh, Parisian subways 😉 After just 15 minutes in Paris two guys wanted to pick pocket my friend... They were suprised that I reacted 😎.

Thanks for sharing real life experience! This is in line with what I was expecting.

biakalt said:
plus, if anyone attempt to abuse you on the street (in any case), just don't make eye contact, look straight and ignore them.
Click to expand...

Usualy, I'm being regarded by most people as sociopath (including my girlfriend :bang🙂, which has this benefit, that hardly anyone wants to talk to me uninvited. But thanks for the tip, sunglasses should help in avoiding eye contact.😱

I have one more question, which still bugs me and always caused me headache during travels. What about baggers? Should I ingnore them? Buy them food? I know not to give them money as it may end up with someone else.

Big thank you for the great help!!!

I know that I shouldn't say that here, but the food is the reason I'm going 😀, not photos:angel:. I've been avid reader of noodlepie for a looong time... If you have any tips? Share!!!

Best regards,
 
craygc said:
Apart from what you've already been told ...basically always be aware of your surroundings and the people around you. Always secure your valuable belongings - camera bag strap across your chest not over a shoulder; if you dont have a safe in your hotel room, always keep your valuables on you and dont be side tracked from them; I like below the knee shorts with velcro pockets on the thighs for things like phones and wallets (noisy to access and harder to reach at that level); and my number one advice...

In Asia, if anyone you don't know approaches you and tries to engage in any conversation, they are attempting to work an angle of some kind on you (even if its only selling something). No ifs, buts or maybes - in 12+ years of living in Asia across multiple countries, I have never seen an exception
Click to expand...

I found Vietnam far safer than Poland....
 
Man, from reading this thread you'd think that Vietnam was even a little bit dangerous. Vietnam is probably the most chilled out place in SE Asia. Laos is so calm in most of the country that they won't even wake up.

No one will care about your Billingham bag or your bessas. Your film will all be fine in x-ray machines there. You will be forced to have your film scanned if you take any domestic flights. I had ISO 1600 and 3200 film x-rayed on my last trip at least 6 times without ill effect. I was told by the security tech that my only other option was to have all of my film canisters open.

I've been to Vietnam 3 times. It's a spectacular place with a great people. Have a blast. I'd worry more about scams and theft in NYC, it's certainly more dangerous there.
 
1)
My car was broken into in Gdansk. Had to drive from Gdansk to Kiel, Germany with a plastic sheet covering the car window.

2)
My passport and wallet was stolen from my hotel room in Stettin. This was early 90' - before Poland was part of EU and created a lot of problems getting home with the Schwienemünde - Ystad ferry.

3)
Still the most frightening experience was from back in the communist time in the 80' - a threat from the local mafia boss in Cracow. He wanted us to change our western currency with him and not the local students who offered us a better price. After his thugs bet up our student friends we gave in. It gave us the impression of a state dominated by local gangsters and not by 'communists'. The 100.000 Poles who live and work here in Norway could tell even more compelling stories, I am sure.

My travels in Vietnam have been nothing but pleasant. With the exception of the hot and humid climate.
 
Rayt said:
I have only read about the motorbike snatchers in guide books and not from anyone in my personal nor professional circles in Vietnam. I am usually somewhere in Vietnam twice a year either for work or pleasure and this is the country I recommend out of all others in SE Asia. I carry my Billingham across my chest and my Leica with the strap around my wrist. I go everywhere on foot and wander for hours with no threats whatsoever. The chances of losing your valuables isn't anywhere near say in Rome or the Parisian subways.
Click to expand...

it happened to the well known FlickR photographer Tommy Oshima (he lost a Noctilux and a Konica Hexar RF):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tommyoshima/3372382486/
and it happened to me, except that my Crumpler camera strap held and I pulled the thief off his scooter, doing him a considerable damage in the process.

Just be careful, the same as you would any place and you'll be fine.

Marty
 
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