Se Connecter ou S'Inscrire
Search Hanoi: pour Tout Endroits Emplois Les Sorties Groupes Lists Questions Articles Annonces
Was VERY skillfully pick-pocketed of my iPod in the Church Street area about a week or so ago? Any other had similar experiences? Am wondering if this is just a one-off or a common occurence?
pickpocket BigC (add tags) Pourquoi? Details of tags
Oishi a répondu il y a environ 5 mois
I had a wallet nicked out of my pocket down in Saigon, and friends here in Hanoi have had bags slashed and contents removed in the Hoan Kiem markets. Petty crime is a reality here, you just have to be extra vigilant, as I learnt the hard way.
Khumbu a répondu il y a environ 5 mois
I carry a hand / shoulder bag, usually with my wallet in the front section (which is zipped shut). I've been wandering the streets of Hanoi for two months now & have never heard a problem; your post was the first time I've heard first hand of anyone being pickpocketed; apart from the comments in the lonely planet guide, I've not heard from anyone to date that this has been an issue in Hanoi. Dodgy taxi meters have been the main scam I've encountered (and thus I'm now sticking with Hanoi Taxis / My Linh!)
noanoa76 a répondu il y a environ 5 mois
My friend's mother had her bag slashed at the night market, luckily she's a NYrker so she noticed it happening right away and nothing was stolen. There is pick-pocketing everywhere in the world, it is always a problem and you should always be aware. Never leave any of your things unattended, keep your bag on the front of your body or cover the zipper with your arm. The ones here usually travel in pairs (one person pushes the victim slightly onto the other and things are stolen) or a woman pretending to be pregnant pickpockets and stores the things in her fake belly.
ahinger a répondu il y a environ 5 mois
I had my moto license plate jacked a couple days ago. ffffff
April1 a répondu il y a environ 5 mois
well, generally, there would be no problem in Hanoi, except in night market. Both local people and foreigners had their bag slashed. And it is extremely hard to get a police reference to claim with your insurance company. I've got 2 wallets and a camera stolen, so you guys should be extra careful in those crowded markets. For the taxi, pls call 8262626 - that's the cheapest one and very reliable. Or else, you can try 8535353 or 8266666 Hope that helps
Kurtz a répondu il y a environ 5 mois
Besides pickpockets I've come to know of a recent rise in muggings of (not by) taxi drivers at knife point in recent months. All happening late at night. Guess taxi drivers may be getting a wee tad more concerned about wasted rabbles piling into their cars late in the night now. Actually talking with nurses at the army hospital (108) there has also been a massive rise in Vietnamese youths stabbing each other. Guess something finally has to replace motorbike related head injuries in the stats department. Still on the bright side Hanoi is still one of the safest capital cities in the world. You gotta appreciate that. As for Mr.Ahinger these days it's easy to get a new licence plate for bikes. Used to be a complicated process but now you can order any licence plate you want/need along Tran Nhat Duat St (near Chuong Duong Bridge).
Yeah, violence against Westerners is a different story. I have had three female friends get assaulted in Hanoi, mostly by xe om drivers but in one instance by a hotel manager (the sister hotel to the Old Darling Hotel). It seems the Vietnamese are much more hostile to Western women than men, especially if the woman in question is under the influence of alcohol. I think it comes back to intimidation. The older Vietnamese guys can't handle women with their sexuality firmly in their own hands or most progressive gender politics at all. It's sad but hopefully this sort of thing will be stamped out as the older generation die.
4inhanoi a répondu il y a environ 5 mois
Over the last few months I have heard an increasing number of stories of bags being stolen (for instance in a cafe) and bags being janked off people while they are driving their motorbikes (for instance while waiting for a traffic light or in slow traffic). Always done by 2 (young) men on a motorbike. The same goes for mobile phones, my friend even once warned me not to talk on the phone near the kerb, as apparently there are teams on motorbikes that just try to snatch the phone out off your hand. (Boy would they be dissappointed to see my very old non-fancy Nokia after snatching it!!!) And of course we all know the stories of people stopping at the ATM, getting some cash, hop back on their motorbike, only to have an 'accident' a few minutes later.... A lot of screaming, although you know that the other party bumped into your motorbike on purpose and then the pay off.... so handy that you just got some cash! Even though I think Hanoi is still pretty safe as long as you take some precautions, I do feel that this kind of crime is on the rise and occurs much more frequently than a few years ago. So now I make it an issue not to carry too much cash, always stay in contact with my laptop bag and to put my bag in the storage space under the seat of my motorbike. Should have done that anyway.
Ashu a répondu il y a environ 5 mois
I have unfortunately 2 experiences and want to share. I hope this will prevent similar incidents for those reading this. On both cases it was a group of women. One was at an exhibition at Giang Vo and other very recently in Big C. In both cases my purse was opened while I was carrying it very “carefully” in front of me and tightly. What happen was that I was surrounded by 4 to 5 women all of a sudden and they started crowding me, pushing me and I always thought why are these people creating a fuss and in such a hurry? Only later I discovered that they managed to open the zipper of my purse/bag and took the money from inside. so I recommend everyone to avoid crowed places and even if you are there be very alert when u are suddenly surrounded by Vietnamese women and suddenly they start hustling and bustling as if they are trying to get some shopping done. Mostly these women do not seem to be the obvious type, i.e. they are very well dressed and seem to be from well to do family. Bottom line: avoid crowed places including the weekend in Big C supermarket, the night market and any exhibitions
tinkx a répondu il y a environ 5 mois
I try not to carry a wallet/bag when i can. I find carrying my cash in my bra works perfect. Atleast if someone were to attempt to mug you, you'd definately know about it. I feel less of a target too. I guess you just need to be aware of your surroundings at all times. I noticed someone following me in 'Big C'and although they didn't do anything it was a nice healthy reminder to stop being complacent and watch my back.
Stosskraft a répondu il y a environ 5 mois
be careful in big C, the have a ring of professional phone thieves in there. I know several people who have had phones stolen there and the "security" just shrugged and said it happens all the time. I know something is funny when I have a meeting with the manager for business and he tells me to "watch" my stuff when I am in the store !!
Heard about another kind of 'professional' stealing last week: for those of us having to attend workshops, meetings etc. in hotels or conference centers in Hanoi: apparently there are people (rumor has it that it is mostly elegantly clad women) who casually walk into the conference room during the coffee break and walk off with laptops,purses and phones that are left on the tables or on chairs while participants are having coffee right outside the doors of the conference room. I would not recognize my laptop or non-descript mobile phone either if a nice lady would walk out of there right under my nose. It got so bad that recently the organiser of a workshop urged everybody to please take their belongings while getting coffee, as they would feel so bad if things were stolen during their event! It is also very easy for people to walk into a hotel and look at the notice board to see what kind of workshops or other events are going on and then head straight through. So beware......
Anuj664 a répondu il y a environ 3 mois
I have been in Hanoi for a while and do attend varios workshops. Thank you 4inhanoi for sharing the incindent. will be wiser. BTW can you share the name of the hotel/location where this incident took place? Thx
Vietlonghousing a répondu il y a environ 3 mois
Always be careful! Every where in Hanoi.
Duc_de_Hanoi a répondu il y a environ 2 mois
Hi all, The same thing happens to me this sunday 12 october 2008 at Big C. 4 or 5 women (about 50 year old) are discretly surrounding me in the escalator. One woman cut my bag with a Stanley knife. Although I was suspicious by their behaviour : why are they surrounding me without saying anything ? I did not notice anything. At the end of the escalator ; the woman in front of me make her bag felt to intentionnaly create a plug rush while an other woman stole my wallet. When I realise it I tell to the door security guy whose bring me to the security center to watch at the video. When I recognised the women at the video, an other security guy brings me my wallet back with all my paper and Visa cards but no money ;-( It is a well organised theft gang and they seems not to be worried about security services. They are waiting for their victims at the entrance of Big C (western and foreign people) ; they follow them in the escalator and try to pickpocket. Actually, they tried tree times : upward, at the snack and downward. They manage to steal me downward. Next time if someone stick to me or push me in crowded places, I will punch his face directly and discuss after. As they are several people and have Stanley knives : so, hit first, talk after. My experience advise : - be careful when you pay at the counter because they know where you put your wallet and follow you (bank, markets, supermarket, exhibitions). - don't go to Big C on saturday or sunday ! - beware of people sticking to you or pushing you especially groups of women or children. - put your bag in front of you when you are standing still (in a line, on escalator, at the market) This thread is very useful and I will take all theses advices for next time.
Poser Une Question
Subscribe to This Question