Ho Chi Minh City Health and Safety

HCMC is the most theft-ridden city in Vietnam; don't become a statistic. Be especially careful in the Dong Khoi area, and along the Saigon riverfront, where motorbike 'cowboys' operate, and check the locks on your room.

Sometimes travellers get burned by cyclo drivers who demand exorbitant sums at the end of a tour. Rather than hopping blithely into the cyclo when the driver smilingly says, 'Price up to you', clearly negotiate a fair price up front (consider 5.00-10.00 for a half-day/day tour). If more than one person is travelling make sure you're negotiating the price for both and not a per-passenger fee. It sometimes pays to sketch out numbers and pictures with pen and paper so all parties agree. Unfortunately, 'misunderstandings' do happen; unless the cyclo driver has pedalled you to the 21 districts of HCMC, 25.00 is not the going rate. That said, don't just assume the driver is trying to bamboozle you. It's a tough living, especially as the city government tries to phase out the cyclos entirely. If you've had a particularly great guide and ride, tip generously.