Camera Security in Vietnam

[JoeW]

Hey folks--I've been a frequent traveler around the globe and always taken my camera. I'm pretty good about staying secure with it. I've got a trip coming up to Vietnam in a month. I've been told by multiple people (including two Vietnamese Nationals) that if my camera is visible in a major city like Hanoi or HCM City, it's a very common problem to have someone come by in a motorbike and either pull it off your shoulder or slice the shoulder strap and zip off with it. One Vietnamese photographer told me that she never takes pictures in the city, only in the countryside. Well, that's not going to work for me--much of my time will be spent in Hanoi and HCM City.

I'm looking for recommendations and how to secure my camera (without completely hiding it in a backpack--if I have to go that route I will but I'd like to see if I have some other option). I know if it's raining I can keep it under a poncho. I'll always have the strap over my head and shoulder (so pretty hard for someone to yank it off of me). But what other carrying arrangements or advice can anyone give me?

Also, I'll probably be taking either a D800 or a D600 on this trip and for most of the city environment, an 85mm f1.8 lens.

 

[tirediron]

At a minimum, I would start by buying a wire-reinforced camera strap to reduce the risk of theft by cutting the strap (Not recommending that strap, just providing the link as an example). Ensure you keep the camera to your front, and strap fairly short. Having photographed in a few places where photography is a high-risk activity for one reason or another, my preference is for a really grubby old shoulder bag that looks NOTHING like a camera bag, with a wire-reinforced shoulder strap, keep the camera in that and tethered to to the bag via a second wire-reinforced strap. The biggest thing is being aware of your surroundings. Walk down the MIDDLE of the sidewalk as much as possible, not on either edge. Don't walk in straight lines, stop and turn around frequently, keep your camera in the bag unless you're using it and keep at least one hand on the bag whenever you're not.

 

[Designer]

Be sure to have traveller's insurance that covers the theft of your gear. If you can't afford to lose it, don't take it. Change out your SD cards at least on a a daily basis. Keep them apart from your camera gear.

Whatever you're doing with your camera, do at least double that with your passport and other valuables. Keep a bit of money in a separate pocket for paying small amounts so you're not flashing your wad. Some people use a money belt and keep their passport in a bag on a cord under their clothing. Make a copy of your passport and I.D. to keep in a different pocket (on you, not in your backpack). Be on the lookout (eyes and ears) for motorbikes, runners, and groups of two or more people who are watching you very closely.

I once saved my wife's purse from a purse snatcher by being observant. That was in Chicago, not Vietnam.

 

[JoeW]

I appreciate the tips folks. I make it a point to use camera carrying equipment that doesn't have a camera logo on it (like a converted messenger bag or a standard day pack) so I'm absolutely on-board with those ideas. TiredIron--I'll check out the wired straps. And as a world traveler, I have a pretty good record of avoiding this kind of stuff and wear clothing that allows me to provide maximum security for stuff like passport, cash, etc.

Any other tips that people have are much appreciated.

 

[jcdeboever]

When I go into the bowels of an inner city, I put the hand strap on. If someone wants it bad enough, they will get it. Making it harder to do so only reduces the chances. Personally, I wouldn't bring my best camera. I would only take one that wouldn't kill me to lose it. Consider what your shooting images of. Maybe all you need is an affordable Ricoh GRII. Small, light, large sensor, excellent image quality. Or maybe an older model full frame dslr. I don't know, maybe a guide of some sort? Personally, I'd be more worried about getting hurt in the fall with non breakable strap. Chances are, the fall may break bones as well as camera. If I went there, I would probably bring a Ricoh GRII (wrist strap) and a Nikon F with a 50mm 1.8 and a lot of film.

 

[Tropicalmemories]

HCM City is not that bad. Yes, there's bag snatchers on motorbikes, and with so many motorcycles on the roads and side walks, it's not easy to spot a bag snatcher, but the city is developing fast, and girls with decent cameras around their necks are the norm, plus tourists from all over the world.

If you use your unmarked camera bag, and wear the strap diagonally over your head and shoulder, the risks are no worse than in most European or US cities.

I work in Asia, and I feel safer in Vietnam than I do in London for example

 

[Philmar]

Hanoi is safe in my opinion...MUCH safer than any large city in the US. Perception of locals that crime is on the rise is due to the fact than this type of theft didn't occur 20 years ago because there were few locals/foreigners with anything worth stealing back then. Streets of Hanoi are crowded - tons of mopeds. It isn't that easy to do a snatch and grab. You are more likely to be relieve of your gear in a city like St. Louis/Pittsburg or Barcelona/Rome or Mexico City/Sao Paolo than Hanoi. Just don't walk around with it around your neck. Carry it in a camera back that isn't easily pulled off your shoulder.

 

[JonFZ300]

I use a bag that has a shoulder strap and a belt loop. I attach the belt loop on my right/front and hang the strap diagonally over my left shoulder as mentioned above. The camera is either in the bag zipped shut or in my hand with a wrist strap. When it's in the bag I have my right hand resting on top of the closed bag. If someone wanted just the camera they would have to fight me for it and if they tried to get the whole rig, they would have to detach it from my shoulder and my belt.

 

[Overread]

I use a battery grip and a Canon wrist strap, then the camera is coupled to a black-rapid shoulder sling that goes across the body. So the shoulder strap isn't easily accessible to slice fast and the camera is in my right hand the whole time anyway (even though the strap can take the weight my hand steadies it).

For backpacks also consider a dark/discreet coloured rain cover over the top of it. That at least stops many of the outer pockets being easily accessible by a passing person. A determined and skilled thief might still get in or slash the bag, but its far more work for them and many will pick an easier target. Most thieves are non-confrontational - they don't want a fight or struggle they just want in and out fast. So being alert, confident moving, putting vulnerable stuff in inner pockets, spreading it out etc... These can all stop the pickpocket type thief

 

[adie]

HCM is the same as most Asian cities, most people never have a problem. ive been a few times (its less than 2 hours flight for me, ive never had a problem or felt like i should be worried.

 

[JoeW]

Hey folks, thought I'd provide some closure and an update on this thread.

First, for camera security, what I ended up doing was put two straps on my camera. I had the usual Nikon strap through the eyelets and around my neck. Then I had a Black Rapid attached to the base (because I didn't bring a tripod, no other use for that screw-in slot on the base of the camera) and the BR strap ran diagonally around me. It worked well, were both visible (so a deterrent to any possible snatch artists because they'd have 2 straps), and was quite comfortable (and probably use the same setup when hiking a long period where you want hands free but don't want to kill your shoulders or neck with the camera weight).

I did get a wire-enforced wrist strap but never ended up using it. I think it would be effective but the double strap approach was more comfortable and kept both hands free.

Second, as for personal safety in Vietnam, everything seemed fine. There was one area in Danang where my wife felt very antsy and insisted we get out of quickly. But otherwise, I felt pretty safe, didn't encounter any issues other than lots of people bugging me in Ben Thanh market in HCMC to buy stuff from them (talk about hard sell and persistent--geez!). And as a photo experience, it was incredible--I highly recommend it.

 

[SquarePeg]

Hey folks, thought I'd provide some closure and an update on this thread.

First, for camera security, what I ended up doing was put two straps on my camera. I had the usual Nikon strap through the eyelets and around my neck. Then I had a Black Rapid attached to the base (because I didn't bring a tripod, no other use for that screw-in slot on the base of the camera) and the BR strap ran diagonally around me. It worked well, were both visible (so a deterrent to any possible snatch artists because they'd have 2 straps), and was quite comfortable (and probably use the same setup when hiking a long period where you want hands free but don't want to kill your shoulders or neck with the camera weight).

I did get a wire-enforced wrist strap but never ended up using it. I think it would be effective but the double strap approach was more comfortable and kept both hands free.

Second, as for personal safety in Vietnam, everything seemed fine. There was one area in Danang where my wife felt very antsy and insisted we get out of quickly. But otherwise, I felt pretty safe, didn't encounter any issues other than lots of people bugging me in Ben Thanh market in HCMC to buy stuff from them (talk about hard sell and persistent--geez!). And as a photo experience, it was incredible--I highly recommend it.

Sounds like it all worked out for you. Looking forward to seeing your photos.

 

[dennyr]

Is there something unique, about the imaginary lines on a map, that compose Vietnam, that make camera theft more likely than anywhere else.?

 

[The_Traveler]

Yes, compared to HCMC, anywhere in Laos, anywhere in Myanmar and anywhere in the north of Thailand, there is more scooter-by theft in Vietnam.
I've been returning to SEA since 1998 and the attitude of big city Vietnamese street thieves has become more aggressive.

 

[JoeW]

Is there something unique, about the imaginary lines on a map, that compose Vietnam, that make camera theft more likely than anywhere else.?

When I went for my checkup before going, my doctor was born from Vietnam and has been back there multiple times. She said she had a friend who had a camera stolen by someone on a scooter. When I was at the Vietnamese embassy to get my visa, the person in line behind me was a professional photographer who's parents were from Vietnam. She'd been there multiple times. She said that the countryside was fine but in the city, especially HCMC it was wise to keep your camera close. Since I hadn't been to Vietnam previously I asked around for advice on camera security. Thus, this thread.