Danger I got my wallet pick pocketed, the police don't care
Stay away from Hanoi
This is Le Kim Cuong,
I was sitting on a park bench by the lake and this friendly girl came up to me and wanted to practice her English as she is studying for a PhD in Physics. She seemed very sincere and we engaged in an hour long conversation and agreed to meet 2 days later
I was concerned that there was a small chance she not be who she said she was so I emailed an experienced person of the Asia area, this was what was said,
" DO NOT GO. Egypt had NOTHING on Asia. Asians are MASTERs of scamming. You can get yourself into some serious trouble. You could get kidnapped, beaten, extorted - it's extremely dangerous. I'm super worried. You should not speak to anybody at all on the street. All this has happened on tours before, bit at least there was a group, friends, and western tour director to realize they were missing and get the police involved quickly. You should not meet with the girl under any circumstances. No reputable or decent upstanding Vietnamese woman would EVER approach a foreign man on the street like that. Never. Do not go.
Here is a hint. If your warning bells go off enough to write me this email - allow yourself to be warned. You ain't in Kansas anymore, and you are traveling alone. We have had an acquaintance who was kidnapped and killed, never heard from again. This is Asia, don't mess with your safety. They can smell a ripe newbie target from miles away""
Now the girls response,"oh, My Gold, Burt!
I am really shock when reading your email. IS that foreigners' mind about my country? It is too terrible for me to receive it. However, It wakes me up and I think that I have to rethink the reason why international friends think of us horribly. Perhaps in a away, she is right, but it is wrong when she impute all people. it is unable to refuse the drawback which still exists in our country. However, it is minor. The majority is nice, friendly and works hard to improve our lives. I think that I am completely worthy of your belief..Moreover, as you saw, I didn't make up, my clothing was very simple and my mobile phone is very cheap. I also speak English unfluent. You have a lot of life experiences and surely you recognize that I have no any scam. I just practice English with you and I wish you can help me by reading my essays in your free time. I need it to apply for PhD position. I will repay you for your favour when I have oppoturnity."
So what do you think? I think she is who she says she is but the person that advised me later proved to be right about the character of Hanoi as you will see below.
A toilet that cost 2000 dung (10 cents) to pee
The entrance to the Hanoi Hilton , the prison where John McCain was held
Examples of how prisoners were held
Typical of John McCain s cell
Inside the prison where American pilots were held
Not exactly true
Even children harassed you to buy (pirated DVDs)
Hanoi
KFC in Hanoi
Major US brands (but poor quality copies) I bought a "North Face" bag valued at $150, for $20, the handle quickly broke, but otherwise it made it home
Two people that came up to me to "learn English"
John McCain's flying suit
John McCain visiting the Hanoi Hilton
Pigs in Hanoi
Picture taken before my wallet was pick pocketed, a group jostled me, I thought it was just shoppers but my wallet was taken even though I had two buttons buttoned, the police could have cared less
The hotel where I stayed in Hanoi, the staff wanted to charge me to make calls to cancel my credit cards, but I had no money to pay, after I threatened to bad mouth them, they let me call. The next day the manager was super kind, gave me free meals, bought me a new wallet, let me use his office and computer and truly cared that I be taken care of. My tour "Destination Vietnam", was less caring, the manager of the hotel gave them "sh*t."
My daughter came to Hanoi to save my butt and bring me money, the kid is tough (you should see the other guy.)
Now we go on a boat in Ha Long Bay