How dangerous are Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam?

breadmonkey

I will be travelling from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh city during July and August and just want to make sure I'm not putting myself at any serious risk. I had a look on the Department of Foreign Affairs website. Here is what they had to say on each.

CAMBODIA - updated 18/01/06

Riding a motorcycle or scooter in Cambodia can be dangerous. You should take the same safety precautions as you would in Ireland. The majority of roads in Cambodia are in a very poor condition. Travel after dark significantly increases the risk of an accident. Vehicles often do not have lights and cattle stray onto roads. Overloaded vehicles coupled with erratic driving skills make road traffic accidents potentially the greatest risk to visitors.

LAOS - updated 25/01/06

Irish citizens travelling to Laos should be aware that there are ongoing security concerns related to ethnic conflicts, banditry, and unexploded munitions.

There have been civil disturbances, including bombings in the capital, Vientiane, in 2004 and in northern areas. Buses, bus stations, and markets have been the target of several attacks resulting in deaths and injuries.

Landmines and unexploded munitions constitute a risk, particularly in Xieng Khouang Province (Plain of Jars) and at the Lao-Vietnamese border areas that were formerly traversed by the Ho Chi Minh Trail. You should avoid these areas and never travel off well-used roads.

The majority of roads in Laos are in very poor condition and travel should only be undertaken during daylight hours. Vehicles often do not have lights and cattle stray on to the roads. The number of road accidents in Laos have risen sharply in recent years along with the increase in the number of motor vehicles, especially motorbikes.

Travel on the Mekong river by speedboat is dangerous, especially during the dry season, and you are advised to wear life-vests and crash helmets.

The Irish Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam, offers consular assistance to Irish citizens in Laos - please click here for contact details.

VIETNAM - updated 22/03/06

From 20 March to 30 April 2006, and 15 October to 30 November 2006, holders of category D visas for Vietnam will not be granted entry into the country, i.e. people travelling to Vietnam without a sponsor (individual or organisation) in Vietnam will not be allowed entry. For further information on travelling to Vietnam, please contact the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on 00 44 20 7937 1912 or www.vietnamembassy.org.uk

There have been outbreaks of avian influenza (bird flu) amongst the poultry throughout Vietnam. The World Health Organisation is continuing to monitor the situation. For further advice on bird flu, please click here.

Irish citizens travelling to Vietnam are advised that the standard of driving and vehicle maintenance is poor, including public transport, and is the cause of many accidents and injuries. You are advised to wear a crash helmet at all times when travelling by motorbike. Pedestrians should take particular care crossing roads in major cities as driving is erratic and sometimes dangerous.

Unexploded mines and ordnance are a continuing hazard in former battlefields. You should not stray off main routes in rural areas.

Contact details for the Irish Embassy in Hanoi can be found here.

So, the unexploded ordinance seems to be an issue thoughout but seemingly just off the beaten track in rural areas. But I've heard that these places are extremely friendly (particularly Laos and Vietnam) and are quite open to tourism these days..

Do I have much to worry about here? Any advice would be great.

PunyHuman

I wouldn't worry about anything. Many people on this forum including myself have travelled all over SE Asia without incident. It's kind of difficult to stray from the tourist trail there anyway.

Granted, roads can be awful, traffic can be hectic and safety precautions non-existent, but this is the risk you take and is part of the experience. Just don't attempt to travel by motorbike, watch out when crossing the road, don't wander by night, keep your wits about you, and you'll be fine.

Weather in SE Asia in July and August is gonna be pretty extreme. The heat and humidity could generate more risk than anything else.

I found travelling in Cambodia and Laos to be much more interesting and rewarding than travelling in either Thailand or Vietnam. The people were much friendlier there, I thought.

Finally, don't fondle any chickens

breadmonkey

No chicken fondling, must be sure to resist...:)

Thanks Puny, and here is a pm I got from jdc78, which he said I could post. It might be helpful to others.

jdc78 wrote:

Ross,

As with travelling anywhere these days, do so with common sense and you will be fine.

The issue of landmines in Thailand (Northern), Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam has always been an issue and will continue to do so for years to come. The majority will be cleared from any areas that you will visit and travel to and if you intend on any camping in the region, do so in marked and designated places. Personally, I'd be more scared of snakes than landmines but I don't really think it will be an issue that you will need to worry about.

Driving and drivers in all of S.E. Asia are manic and when crossing roads always do so cautiously and try to do it again, at designated places although I doubt you will find many. I have driven cars and motorcylces/ scooters in Bangkok, Cambodia and Laos and the only one that was scary was Bangkok. The only places I could see you driving a scooter would be around beach resort areas, etc and in most cases the accidents are caused by drunk foreigners, so it's like your parents always said, ..."it's not you I am worried about, it's the other drivers..." Now, I have managed to have gotten into numerous accidents but it is all down to my stupidity so again, a little common sense and you'll be fine.

The people in the area are mostly genuine however, you should always have your guard up and a good rule of thumb is to expect a second agenda for overly friendly strangers you meet.

Other than that you should be fine. Stay in accommodation where there are other foreigners, try to travel in groups, especially at night, don't carry a lot of money, keep your camera, etc in a pocket and so on... pretty much all the things you would be aware of if travelling to any other destination. You will get the feeling like you are invincible there, partying away, meeting locals and other travellers alike and believe me, it's easy to get carried away. Just be smart and you will probably have one of the best experiences of your life.

Hope that helps... feel free to post this in your thread!

John

breadmonkey

Check this out:
All quotes taken from the Tropical Medical Bureau Website. It seems they have been stolen from a US site for some reason. Please tell me that this is vicious scaremongering.

LAOS

wrote:

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:

TRAVEL OF FOREIGNERS WITHIN LAOS: According to the Lao Tourist Police, all foreign tourists are required to use the services of a licensed Lao tour company -- unassisted tourism is not permitted. However, this regulation does not appear to be strictly enforced. The Lao tourist police have informed foreign tourists that a licensed Lao tour guide must accompany any group of more than 5 foreign tourists. Violation of this regulation can result in detention, deportation, and fines of $200 to $2000.

Security personnel may at times place foreign visitors under surveillance. Hotel rooms, telephones and fax machines may be monitored, and personal possessions in hotel rooms may be searched.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS: Taking photographs of anything that could be perceived as being of military or security interest -- including bridges, airfields, military installations, government buildings, or government vehicles -- may result in problems with authorities, including detention or arrest and confiscation of the camera. Tourists should be cautious when traveling near military bases and strictly observe signs delineating the military base areas. Military personnel have detained and questioned foreigners who innocently passed by unmarked military facilities.

CAMBODIA

The town of Siem Reap and the vicinity of the Angkor Wat temple complex remain officially open to tourists. The Embassy advises U.S. citizens to travel there by air and to limit their movements to the city of Siem Reap and the main Angkor Wat temple complexes

Hmmm, I wanted to go here but don't know if I can afford to fly.

wrote:

CRIME: The Diplomatic Security Service rates the overall crime threat in Cambodia as critical. Street crime remains a serious concern in Cambodia

Individuals should avoid walking alone after dusk anywhere in Sihanoukville, and especially along the waterfront. Some of the beaches are secluded, and post has received reports in the past of women being attacked along the Sihanoukville waterfront during the evening hours. These security precautions should also be taken when visiting the Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) area.

Sihanoukville was recommended on another thread I think.

Even on heavily traveled roads, banditry occurs, so all travel should be done in daylight between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

The U.S. Embassy advises Embassy personnel not to travel by train because of low safety standards and the high risk of banditry. Travel by boat should be avoided because boats are often overcrowded and lack adequate safety equipment

Lol, how the hell am I going to get around this place?

VIETNAM
Nothing mental to report here.

empirix

where did you get this stuff from, i am only back from all of the above and am thankful i didnt read this, would of made me paranoid. I felt safe everywhere, although i don't know if thats just me, i am a big enough bloke who towers over all Asians in general, but since guns are handy enough to get for the locals, i don't think i had any advantage here. Just use common sense and be courteous and "happy" towards people and you should be fine. I cycled around the Temples of Angkor well after dark one night(bring a torch) and felt fine although it was a bit creepy and the mossies were thick in the air. A handy tip when backpacking, buy a long maglight, very handy and a good weapon if need be.

Just do it!

Larianne

Great info there lads. Just trying not to get too worried about landmines and all that. But when travelling anywhere it's mainly all common sense so I should be okay.

breadmonkey

Larianne wrote:

Just trying not to get too worried about landmines and all that.

Famous last words.....Only messing!:)

Larianne

breadmonkey wrote:

Famous last words.....Only messing!:)

Don't say that!

gonementhol

If I had been reading the stuff you've been looking at I reckon I'd be quite paranoid myself. Personally I can't comment on Laos, but as for Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam I never felt unsafe at any stage to be honest in 2 months there. That stuff seems like a bit of scarmongering to be honest. I'm sure it does happen to a small minority of people occasioanlly. Not wanting to sound crude or tastless, but you know like they say sure you could get hit by a bus crossing the road at home all the same. Just because it can happen doesn't mean it will. That stuff makes it sound like muggings and road accidents come with the stamp on your passport. Seriousy I wouldn't worry too much, like some of the others said it's too good an experience to miss out on for what MAY happen. PunyHuman and jdc78 pretty much covered it saying just be sensible and don't stray too far from the beaten track. I mean 1000's and 1000's of tourists have covered these places over the last few years and just like anywhere you'll hear the odd horror story, but I suppose my point is that bad things can happen here just the same and that doesn't stop you from going about your business everyday and out to have some fun at the weekends etc. Just follow the guidelines and warnings, but dont take it that just because there's a warning about something bad that it means that it WILL happen. It's too easy to get paranoid if you let yourself get really sucked into the "wrap yourself in cotton wool" attitude. Who ever said everything that was fun and exciting was 100% safe!

davejacko

Vietnam is very safe, do be careful riding on the back of motorbikes and the driving is fairly crazy, oyu may soil yourself in a tacxi ride in HCM city but in general its a very safe place, the people are really nice (but they will bug you trying to sell, sell, sell!!!) and it a beautiful place. Make sure you go to Hoi An!

breadmonkey

davejacko wrote:

Vietnam is very safe, do be careful riding on the back of motorbikes and the driving is fairly crazy, oyu may soil yourself in a tacxi ride in HCM city but in general its a very safe place, the people are really nice (but they will bug you trying to sell, sell, sell!!!) and it a beautiful place. Make sure you go to Hoi An!

Where is Hoi An, and what goes on there?!

PunyHuman

Hoi An is a pretty little town, about half-way up the coast, that used to be a major trading post in the 1500s and 1600s until the river silted up. Used to be a lot of Indian, Malay, Dutch and Japanese merchants there, and you can still feel (and taste) their influence. It's famous for its silk and there are dozens of tailors all over the town to cater for the vast number of foreign tourists who visit.

It's nice for a few days; good hotels, good food, some nice outings (there are ruined yet impressive Cham temples nearby that predate Angkor). Very commercialised though. I preferred Hue myself.