Attention - Expats!!!

Hi Charma....you are not talking about the long park on Pham Ngu Lao are you?  This is the park that started from the indoor market (Cho Ben Thanh) and go all the way down to Nguyen Hue (I think). 

The reason for asking is that each year I visited VN.  I stayed in one of the many hotels that is on Pham Ngu Lao.

I do walk in the park in the evening.  So far, it is quite peaceful.

Let me know if this is what you are referring to....

THANKS,
TT

Of course the same park in Ben Thanh in between Le Lai and Pham Ngu Lao streets.

thuy4tien wrote:

Hi Charma....you are not talking about the long park on Pham Ngu Lao are you?  This is the park that started from the indoor market (Cho Ben Thanh) and go all the way down to Nguyen Hue (I think). 

The reason for asking is that each year I visited VN.  I stayed in one of the many hotels that is on Pham Ngu Lao.

I do walk in the park in the evening.  So far, it is quite peaceful.

Let me know if this is what you are referring to....

THANKS,
TT

Luckily you were there for those two ladies! 

Yup, but new comers don't know about these anti-socials

MIA2013 wrote:

Luckily you were there for those two ladies! 

Generally, the city is still safe. But the economy had been bad the last year and many are unemployed. Moreover, many village folks have come into the city looking for means to survive. So, play it safe, do not walk around after dark in lonely places, to tempt them especially during this rainy season when it can get awfully dark! Locals and foreigners likewise are all potential targets!

Yup, you are right!
People who make problems in this city are actually from other provinces whether it is snatching or prostitution.

Sploke77 wrote:

Generally, the city is still safe. But the economy had been bad the last year and many are unemployed. Moreover, many village folks have come into the city looking for means to survive. So, play it safe, do not walk around after dark in lonely places, to tempt them especially during this rainy season when it can get awfully dark! Locals and foreigners likewise are all potential targets!

thuy4tien wrote:

Hi Charma....you are not talking about the long park on Pham Ngu Lao are you?  This is the park that started from the indoor market (Cho Ben Thanh) and go all the way down to Nguyen Hue (I think). 

The reason for asking is that each year I visited VN.  I stayed in one of the many hotels that is on Pham Ngu Lao.

I do walk in the park in the evening.  So far, it is quite peaceful.

Let me know if this is what you are referring to....

THANKS,
TT

23/9 is the name of the park on Pham Ngu Lao, Le Lai (Cho Ben Thanh),

Once they snatched my Tablet PC. I ran after him and get it back
Sometimes it's difficult to stay some where long time without these gadgets

Saxengee wrote:

I had my bag stolen from there once. It was really annoying because it only had a shitty little nokia phone in it. But with all my phone numbers. I shouldn't have placed it on the ground whilst watching the shuttlecock players...

Saxengee wrote:

I had my bag stolen from there once. It was really annoying because it only had a shitty little nokia phone in it. But with all my phone numbers. I shouldn't have placed it on the ground whilst watching the shuttlecock players...

At least it was only a shitty little nokia phone you lost.  Other people (and I have no idea why) lose wads of cash when they get their bags stolen. 

So how come you guys carry bags/purses?  If you need to carry something, why don't you wear a backpack?  It's always strapped to your back and hard for people to snatch.

The police should really use a "bait" bag with a homing beacon to take down some of these snatcher.  Film it like a reality show and broadcast it on ANTV (the channel for Vietnamese Police).

charmavietnam wrote:

Once they snatched my Tablet PC. I ran after him and get it back
Sometimes it's difficult to stay some where long time without these gadgets

Saxengee wrote:

I had my bag stolen from there once. It was really annoying because it only had a shitty little nokia phone in it. But with all my phone numbers. I shouldn't have placed it on the ground whilst watching the shuttlecock players...

You're lucky he didn't pull a knife on you.

Actually I was mistaken! That was a she-male
And it's running ability was not enough as mine!

Tran Hung Dao wrote:

You're lucky he didn't pull a knife on you.

Tran Hung Dao wrote:

Saxengee wrote:

I had my bag stolen from there once. It was really annoying because it only had a shitty little nokia phone in it. But with all my phone numbers. I shouldn't have placed it on the ground whilst watching the shuttlecock players...

At least it was only a shitty little nokia phone you lost.  Other people (and I have no idea why) lose wads of cash when they get their bags stolen. 

So how come you guys carry bags/purses?  If you need to carry something, why don't you wear a backpack?  It's always strapped to your back and hard for people to snatch.

The police should really use a "bait" bag with a homing beacon to take down some of these snatcher.  Film it like a reality show and broadcast it on ANTV (the channel for Vietnamese Police).

Awesome idea!  haha

charmavietnam wrote:

Actually I was mistaken! That was a she-male
And it's running ability was not enough as mine!

Tran Hung Dao wrote:

You're lucky he didn't pull a knife on you.

You mean the ladyboy was wearing high heels so that is why he-she couldn't outrun you!   

Actually I was mistaken! That was a she-male
And it's running ability was not enough as mine!

You mean the ladyboy was wearing high heels so that is why he-she couldn't outrun you! 

This forum is never short of a few laughs here and there...

I think so, and their style of walk/run make it slower

MIA2013 wrote:

You mean the ladyboy was wearing high heels so that is why he-she couldn't outrun you!   

So was it a cat fight or hair pulling episode to get your tablet back ..

Just kidding... on a serious note.. just a tip.. I know on the Apple ipad you can install an app so that if some sticky fingers (he or she ) decides to get their hands on your precious ipad, you can track where its location (provided its switched on). Does your tablet have an app facility like this?

Oh, no. Actually it was my mistake and ignorance. I was sitting in a bench then. When I saw one of my acquaintance, one Italian guy, I get up and we start talk. That time I put my tablet PC on the bench . During this time our 'uninvited guest' walk that way two three times and come and sit close to my bench. Even though we talk, I watched that guy. When we talk some serious matters and involved in it our 'guest' go through the back side with a lightning speed and jump across the plants with my tablet PC and head to Phan Ngu Lao street! On seeing this I also jumped and ran after that guy. When I nearly try to catch him, he left the tablet on ground and escaped!
And mine is not an Apple ipad. It's a local with call facility.

jazzy851 wrote:

So was it a cat fight or hair pulling episode to get your tablet back ..

Just kidding... on a serious note.. just a tip.. I know on the Apple ipad you can install an app so that if some sticky fingers (he or she ) decides to get their hands on your precious ipad, you can track where its location (provided its switched on). Does your tablet have an app facility like this?

Yup, can confirm that the park is sketchy. The whole PNL/Bui Vien area is best avoided in general, a cesspool of prostitution and petty crime.

One time we were in the park in the evening and passed a Western couple making out, kept walking and turned around only to see a guy dressed in black sneaking up behind them with a knife to cut the strap of the guy's bag. Shouted to get the couples' attention, but they were too far gone into their own world. The robber, however, did hear; he turned in our direction and, get this, tried to shush us. Next thing we know there are five Vietnamese blokes approaching us from different sides saying it's none of our business and we should use our legs while they can still carry us. In the end the police caught some of them but only because my friend has some very good connections in the police force. Otherwise that couple would've had a very painful first lesson on personal safety in this country.

The meaning of stubbornness and pushing the limits. Some people just like to learn lessons the hard way. Please do not think this is like a 'Western country! Especially in certain areas,  It jolly well ISN'T!!

I think authorities should vigilant against these anti-socials and protect the park and visitors immediately, especially after 5.30pm. Otherwise, of course tourists and other visitors scare to enter the park. If that happen so many poor students lose their opportunity to communicate with foreigners and improve their English level.
Once I helped a Vietnamese couple who lost their bag. I saw clearly one lady (I know her well -  day time she sell lottery ticket or collect empty bottles) took the bag from that couple (they kept it back of them) and thrown over the wall for collecting it later and walk cool towards me. Then I stop her and wake that couple Then only they understand they lost their bag! That thief-lady shout at me in Vietnamese and shout her back in English and Vietnamese
Unfortunately that couple do not say a word, just collect their bag and sit again for chat!
So be careful when you help people! Nobody support if something happen, even police!

ssuprnova wrote:

Yup, can confirm that the park is sketchy. The whole PNL/Bui Vien area is best avoided in general, a cesspool of prostitution and petty crime.

One time we were in the park in the evening and passed a Western couple making out, kept walking and turned around only to see a guy dressed in black sneaking up behind them with a knife to cut the strap of the guy's bag. Shouted to get the couples' attention, but they were too far gone into their own world. The robber, however, did hear; he turned in our direction and, get this, tried to shush us. Next thing we know there are five Vietnamese blokes approaching us from different sides saying it's none of our business and we should use our legs while they can still carry us. In the end the police caught some of them but only because my friend has some very good connections in the police force. Otherwise that couple would've had a very painful first lesson on personal safety in this country.

Sorry to tell you, but if you have western things in your country (any country) then you have western problems.
The more I read about the police and what they don't do!!!!!
The more this will keep happening.

Local police : why should I do something that does not earn me any extra money? As it is, my pay is already so low, I cannot even survive!! If you are not careful enough, that's your problem man! Welcome to Vietnam.

Not only that. They are inefficient to handle a law and order situation. I felt this so many times when I deal with them or some local do. I don't understand what kind of training they achieved from Police Training College!
With regard to them 'duty first' is a subsidiary one!

Sploke77 wrote:

Local police : why should I do something that does not earn me any extra money? As it is, my pay is already so low, I cannot even survive!! If you are not careful enough, that's your problem man! Welcome to Vietnam.

There is another kind of thief about. I was careless enough to take my attention off the cashier while she was scanning my purchases. I was a nice guy and as my potatoes were not weighed and priced, I was silly but kind enough to get this done myself by walking away from the counter. Then, paid for all purchases later and when I returned home, found to my horror, an extra item paid for but not chosen by me! Someone made a sucker of me to pay her purchase! Since I am already back home, no further proof! NEVER leave the counter and ALWAYS go through the whole scanning process together...  Another lesson learnt, although its only 30k, it's the mode of theft that bugs!! This Supermart?? Well, somewhere in Crescent Mall, D 7.

Sploke77 wrote:

There is another kind of thief about. I was careless enough to take my attention off the cashier while she was scanning my purchases. I was a nice guy and as my potatoes were not weighed and priced, I was silly but kind enough to get this done myself by walking away from the counter. Then, paid for all purchases later and when I returned home, found to my horror, an extra item paid for but not chosen by me! Someone made a sucker of me to pay her purchase! Since I am already back home, no further proof! NEVER leave the counter and ALWAYS go through the whole scanning process together...  Another lesson learnt, although its only 30k, it's the mode of theft that bugs!! This Supermart?? Well, somewhere in Crescent Mall, D 7.

Hey, when you win the lottery, how about you and me open a supermall and install a bazillion cameras everywhere just to catch petty thieves like the one that ripped you off.  We'll make a television show "thieves caught red-handed" and air it on VTV.

A fine and slap on the wrist is nothing compared to the truth exposed!