Ho Chi Minh City Warning or Danger Tips by JonnyVN

Writing this one as I saw it happen yet again. If, for some reason, you get into an arguement with a Vietnamese guy in a bar or nightclub, over prehaps the pool table cue, just because you are bigger than him and can easily beat the hell out of him DON'T. What will probably happen, as did last night, is: Big foreigner gets into arguement with smaller Vietnamese guy, it gets heated, swearing starts, foreigner pushes Vietnamese, Vietnamese goes for the foreigner, foreigner smacks him one, Vietnamese retreats with bloody nose. Then about ten minutes later he comes back with his friends (or sometimes waits outside) and they all set on him.
It is down to the loss of face, so best thing to do is back of, it's their country and we are guests.

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I have been riding a bike here for over twelve years, only two accidents so far, and both my fault. Here's some advice for travelers renting a bike in Saigon:
1. When you pick up the bike make sure both brakes work, including the front one
2. If you have not driven a motorbike in urban area this is not a good place to learn....get a xe om
3. Drink driving laws overseas were made for a purpose, too many mates have come a cropper forgetting that one.
4. If you do have an accident and it's deffinatley not your fault (i.e. you sober, you weren't breaking "normal" taffic laws and no one seriously injured or dead) get on your bike as soon as possible and get out of there, otherwise it will be your fault.
5. If you get stopped in accident or for any reason, first thing remove the keys from your bike and put them in your pocket
6. Don't drive through puddles, there is a good chance that it might be hiding a big hole.
7. Traffic lights are used as a rough indication of when to stop and start, so if you don't want to get t-boned by obey them.

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This is one of the charities I strongly support, The illegal trading in animals is something that has to be dealt with, these guys are doing a great job. Pictured here are two Orangutans that were captured in a raid on a private zoo here, that's about 4,000km away from their natural home, both have now been repatriated to Borneo by W.A.R and the Vietnam Forestry Protection Department.
Please think carefully when in local "game" restaurants, often you can be offered "exotic" dishes, these are wild animals and often are on the danger list. Bear bile is still farmed here, with the bears in horriffic conditions, please don't encourage this by buying it.

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Website: www.wildlifeatrisk.org

I still see a lot of people refusing ice here, don't worry, expect for a few dodgey street vendors, everywhere does sell clean ice. I've seen some postings saying they saw ice in big blocks sitting under tarps of the street or being carried on the back of a bike, this is cooling ice. The drinking ice is transported alot more safely.
Tap water on the other hand is very much to be avoided, ok for brushing teeth, but if there is a heavy down pour avoid this aswell (especially in Hanoi or smaller cities). The fresh water and sewer systems have a tendency to mix if it floods.

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