Last week, HCMC police began to hand out leaflets to tourists in District 1 with a list of safety tips to keep themselves and their belongings safe during their stay in the city. But after complaints from tour companies, the practice has been suspended, reports Thanh Nien.
The papers, headlined with the text: “A few travel reminders for a hassle-free trip,” had been distributed primarily around Pham Ngu Lao. They contain illustrations and text in both English and Vietnamese which give visitors tips on everything from taking taxis to negotiating prices:
Lt. Col Nguyen Van Phuoc, the ward police chief, said the leaflets made tourists aware local scams.
“If we don’t want [to distribute the flyers] and leave tourists to be robbed and ripped off, the blame is on us,” Phuoc said, adding that “They said they felt like the police care about them. They feel looked-after.”
“If you invite people to visit you without giving them a heads-up, you help criminals turn your guests into their victims, said Tham Tuyen, the deputy editor of Phap Luat Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh.
Police are awaiting instructions from the Ministry of Public Security on how to proceed.
These tips seem like a great idea to us as they include many of the lessons locals and expats have learned the hard way.
