Robbed in Ha Noi!

I had been warned about Viet Nam months ago. They said that if you survive Thailand, Viet Nam will be the place you lose everything. I had been in Viet Nam for over a month, with no problem. But within a few hours of setting foot in Ha Noi, it happened.

The day started out badly. I arrived in Ha Noi, about 7am, after a 1.5 day bus ride from Nha Trang. There had been a 4-5 hour stop over in Hue the day before, and while there I inquired about where in Ha Noi I will be dropped off. They told me, on Hai Ba Trung, and showed it to me on the map. This is good, I thought, just a couple blocks away from the guesthouses.

But when I arrived in Ha Noi, they did not drop me there. They dropped me off on some small street, 2 km away, and would not tell me where I was. So there I was, surrounded by motorbike & taxi drivers, being offered rides into town. But when I'm upset, I refuse to spend money. So I was determined to walk.

After heading off in the wrong direction, I soon figured out where I was, and made it into the center of town, about 1.5 hours later, completely drenched with sweat. But I had cleared my head and was no longer upset. After checking into a hotel and taking a shower, I went for a walk around town.

Even though I do not like markets, I wandered into Dong Xuan Market. It was hot, crowded and filled with stuff I don't want to buy. I was in there for probably one minute. But while I was there, two women bumped into me, one on each side, an extended bump. I immediately checked my pockets for my wallet and camera. There were still there. I turned around and left the market.

It was not until I returned to my room, that I realized my little Maglite flashlight was missing from the side pocket of my backpack. Ok..., so it is not as big a deal as if I had lost my money, credit cards or passport. But still, I was robbed in Ha Noi! But by whom?

It could have been those two women. Perhaps, if I go back to the market tomorrow, I could buy back my flashlight from them. But it also could have been the two guys I asked for the location of a gym. They were laughing as I walked away, and there was no gym where they sent me. Or it could have been the motor bike & taxi drivers.

But one thing is clear. I need to be more careful. I should keep nothing of value in the pockets of my backpack. And I should keep my backpack on my person and locked at all times. Also, I should go back to wearing the security pouch under my clothes, rather than keeping my wallet in my pocket. Hopefully, I won't get robbed again.

Viet Nam: Images 6

Closer still to Ba Ho Falls.
Finally Ba Ho Falls. It took us about 4 hours to get here, because we chose to enjoy the river along the way, rather than walking the trail. The trail would have taken about 1/2 hour.
Me under Ba Ho Falls #1.
Ba Ho Falls #3 was a let down. We could not swim there.

Viet Nam: Images 5

Vietnamese guys playing a board game on a tourist boat.
View of Nha Trang bay from the aquarium.
The aquarium. The ugliest use of concrete ever!

Relaxing in the water, near Ba Ho Falls.

Even closer to Ba Ho falls.

Viet Nam: Images 4

This is one of the ugliest buildings I've seen. But Nha Trang is a nice place. At night, they have concerts and plays here in this square, next to the beach.
Fishing boats in Nha Trang.
Woman heading to the water to do her business.
Man at the water's edge...
Soccer action, at the opening of the 2008 tournament. I was invited to the match by one of the coaches. His team did not win.