How to avoid pickpockets while travelling in Vietnam?

Tips and tricks to avoid being a victim of pickpockets in Vietnam

• Keep your valuables in front or secret pocket. You should make sure that your objects are not protruding out of the pocket and in the sight of bad guys. Store valueless objects in the backpack because this is the most vulnerable place for the pickpockets.
• Not walk through the large crowds because these are favorite places of the pickpockets.
• One of the most common mistakes is to pay too much attention to the bag storing valuables. Grip the bag in your arm is the way telling the pickpockets where you keep expensive items.

• Not count money or forage items in your bag in public places. Someone easily snatch them our of your hands while you are doing this. If you have to use wallet for any reason, go away from large crowd and do it in safe place.
• Not take your wallet out in front of a beggar. You cant not know whether they are bad guy or not.
• Shorten the strap of any purse or bag you carry. Not let them loose over your shoulder or below your waist. The strap should be short enough so that it could be below your elbow when you open the wallet. If long enough, put the strap over your head or chest. This is the best way to prevent the thieves from snatching anything from you.
• Pick credit card or valuables back as soon as the clerks give it to you after payment. When eating out, never hand credit card over to them because this may make time for them to copy it. The payment should be made only after the meal.
• Use a money belt or an inside coat pocket to reduce the risk of becoming a target of the thieves.

• Take only what you need whenever you go to public places. Leave most of your money and identification papers in hotel. You could take the photos of important papers in case you need to use it.
• Make a fake wallet to trick the pickpockets if you are asked to hustle in the crowds. Thereby, the real one with valuables will be safer.
• Keep your eyes on your bag all the time. Not lay your purse or bag carelessly on the chair in the restaurant, coffee shop or anywhere else in public that may make you easily leave them behind when you walk off. If you have to go to restroom or somewhere, take your gears with you.
• Carry the pack over your chest when walking through the crowds, especially when sitting on public tranpsorts such as subway, train, bus… It’s best not to have anything expensive in it.