Wearing Rolex in Saigon / Ho Chi Minh

[helloshen]

Apologies in advance if this is a silly question.

I am moving to Saigon soon, and I have been reading up on travel forums. I have come across a lot of "do not wear valuables out", "being prone to snatch thieves" ....etc.....you get the picture.

Now, I love my Submariner too much to leave it in the safe.

Is there anyone here who is living/lived there? Mind sharing your experience? I hope those people in the forums are just being paranoid.

The last time I went there, I saw a Rolex and Panerai AD there.....

[kilyung]

I can't say I've been there but I can't imagine it's any different from any other big city. Some good places and some bad. Just have to use your judgement.

[apollo11]

I have family there, and they say the same; keep your valuables hidden in crowds. It's not a stretch for watches/necklaces/earrings to be snatched outside the airport for example.

[Old Expat Beast]

I have been to Saigon several times and never felt uneasy there. I am always more on my guard in Italy. You'll develop your own sense of security quickly.

[malarky_hk]

Leave it at home. A lot of thieves on motor bikes that will drive up beside you and snatch your watch, necklace and other valuables from you and drive off. Also, if you walk into the local market places, they are crowded and another potential risk for losing your valuables.

[Jason71]

How long are you going to be relocated there? I would think that you will start to develop an idea of the places that are safe and the places that are not in a fairly short time. Then you should be able to stealthfully wear your Rolex.

[scranger]

I was wearing a Citizen day/date on my last visit, but watch security was not my main concern at the time (1967).

[Silverfever]

Just wear a Prohunter if you feel the need to wear a Rolex or get your Sub PVDed.

[AbsolutelyROLEX!]

I personally think a rolex is to tough to be able to just tear off of your wrist in a ride by, wallet or purse is probably much worse to have on you as they can easily be ripped of of you or taken from you in a crowded place.
Ive never heard of anyone getting their watch stolen from their wrist.

[eeh100773]

No such thing as a silly question. I think common sense and ample precaution should serve you well. Good luck!


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[woodsworth]

Originally Posted by anderl712000

I personally think a rolex is to tough to be able to just tear off of your wrist in a ride by, wallet or purse is probably much worse to have on you as they can easily be ripped of of you or taken from you in a crowded place.
Ive never heard of anyone getting their watch stolen from their wrist.

You'd be surprised.

[brandrea]

I can't see it being substantially different than most large cities ...just use good judgement.

[kxux]

Originally Posted by anderl712000

Ive never heard of anyone getting their watch stolen from their wrist.

http://bobarno.com/thiefhunters/how-...a-rolex-part2/

[Silverfever]

Originally Posted by anderl712000

I personally think a rolex is to tough to be able to just tear off of your wrist in a ride by, wallet or purse is probably much worse to have on you as they can easily be ripped of of you or taken from you in a crowded place.
Ive never heard of anyone getting their watch stolen from their wrist.

We just had a guy here who got his Rolex stolen from his wrist in Argentina.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...t=Buenos+aires

[devastator]

no worries bout watches here in saigon as i have been wearing my rolex here for more den a year... but iPhone on the other hand is prone to more danger instead!!! as i have just been rob off my iPhone but show no interest in my deep sea :) bugger

[montevideo]

Originally Posted by helloshen

Apologies in advance if this is a silly question.

I am moving to Saigon soon, and I have been reading up on travel forums. I have come across a lot of "do not wear valuables out", "being prone to snatch thieves" ....etc.....you get the picture.

Now, I love my Submariner too much to leave it in the safe.

Is there anyone here who is living/lived there? Mind sharing your experience? I hope those people in the forums are just being paranoid.

The last time I went there, I saw a Rolex and Panerai AD there.....

Hello all,

I am local guy here in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. You might hear abt the watch rob back in the early 90's when the most valuable watches were Seiko, Citizen...Now, they are more for smart phones, gold necklace and wallets. Definitely no focus for watches now. Moreover, thieves would look at Sport Series as normal ones, off the target. My friend has TT 116613 LB, riding motorbike sometimes on the streets, short sleeves but catch no attention! Be safe in Vietnam!

[Laszlo]

Originally Posted by kxux

http://bobarno.com/thiefhunters/how-...a-rolex-part2/

Crazy!

G-shock.

[BradTrinh24]

I was in vietnam last year, can't remember what district but I witnessed a lady on a moped get her necklace ripped off from 2 guys on another moped. People there are crazy. No one will help you either. I wore my datejust though just because you couldn't leave that in a hotel room.

[devastator]

no one care bout watches here so don't worry, i have been wearing my rolex and panerai practically everyday here... but do watch out for your iPhone and don't go flash it around and you'll be safe

[jerseyden]

Every city in the world has its good guys and its bad guys. Fortunately the good guys greatly outnumber the bad. You will always hear stories of motorbike bag snatchers, pick pockets and watch thieves wherever you go. Personally, I found Saigon to be a fantastic vibrant and friendly city. As always just use common sense.

[james89]

I would worry more about the traffic and the way of driving over there. It can be pretty chaotic :)

check out this video, it was filmed in Saigon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqRdNPw1dkA

[jolimont]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EKqDCFcIck

FF to 1:44

[acathp]

I was also more worried about traffic in Saigon- crossing a road is seriously scary. They even ride their motorbikes on the footpath.
I left my expensive jewellery at home when I went to Vietnam- but took my very expensive camera. No problems but I took due care.
It's like any big city - I regard Vietnam as a place where most people are good and honest- most are Buddhist. But there are risks in any big city.
Sydney is pretty safe- but I don't wear my diamond dial datejust on public transport.

[Rockslide]

I just came back from a trip to Saigon and wore my rolex most of the time. Just use common sense when you're wearing it. District 1 is pretty safe in my opinion. As other here say, be careful when your riding the motorbike and go to crowded places like Ben thanh market etc.

[tole]

Last time I was in Vietnam, by the end of the first day in Saigon on the way back to the hotel, some of these motorbike robbers tried stealing my camerabag. The robber was a passenger on a motorbike, and while I was waiting to cross the road they came from behind and tried pulling the bag of my shoulders. Luckily the strap did not break, but before I realized what had happened, the 2 guys were already driving away from me. I have been warned several times about these robbers, and also heard of people having their jewelry snapped of. I would wear my watch with care. Normally when travelling to Asia i leave my watch at home, and normally buy a cheap copy when I get there.

[adao]

Originally Posted by montevideo

Hello all,

I am local guy here in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. You might hear abt the watch rob back in the early 90's when the most valuable watches were Seiko, Citizen...Now, they are more for smart phones, gold necklace and wallets. Definitely no focus for watches now. Moreover, thieves would look at Sport Series as normal ones, off the target. My friend has TT 116613 LB, riding motorbike sometimes on the streets, short sleeves but catch no attention! Be safe in Vietnam!

I do agree. Things like iphone, wallets get more attention. I use to see someones wearing DJ when riding bike but they are local. Foreigner may get more attraction. City downtown such as Dist. 1 is quite safe. Don't walk alone on dark area. Use branded taxi such as Vinasun, Mailinh, Vinataxi or Airport taxi only.
Personally I feel safe to wear my Rolex in Vietnam but also be careful even when I was in States or Europe or any other strange places

[SixPak]

Agree with many of the posts and Adao made some great points above. I have traveled to Saigon and wore my DJII without any issues. And currently my brother is living there and wears his Rolex daily. However we both blend in (sort of) with the locals but if you're a foreigner you will get noticed. Just take precautions and be alert like you would travelling anywhere else in the world. Thiefs tend to target those who are not paying attention to their surroundings...so called "soft" targets.

[gmlomas]

If it was Hanoi, I would say no issue...but I can't imagine for Saigon to be much different

[helloshen]

thanks everyone!

I have a better idea now!

[helloshen]

Originally Posted by montevideo

Hello all,

I am local guy here in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. You might hear abt the watch rob back in the early 90's when the most valuable watches were Seiko, Citizen...Now, they are more for smart phones, gold necklace and wallets. Definitely no focus for watches now. Moreover, thieves would look at Sport Series as normal ones, off the target. My friend has TT 116613 LB, riding motorbike sometimes on the streets, short sleeves but catch no attention! Be safe in Vietnam!

Hello, would you say District 1 or Phu My Hung is safer?