Travelling safely in Viet Nam and Cambodia

[christiand]

Hi all,

I'm sure this has been covered (am I, maybe not ?)
I did a search but gave up when I saw the number of results I got on my query.
Who has lugged their D70 plus lenses and in particular a signifcant
70-200VR plus TC-17EII around in Viet Nam and Cambodia ?
What are the does and what are the dont's ?
Any advise and suggestions are very welcome.

Thanks a lot
CD

[Matt. K]

christiand
We don't know! Those who ever went there with that kind of gear never came back!

[Killakoala]

Good question. I guess you might be the first to try it.

I would suggest not having a bag that looks like a camera bag.

Something really strong that you can lock securely.

Maybe a Camelbak backpack so you can carry around a few litres of your own water as well. I use a camelbak when i am out and about. (Pick up a cheap one on Ebay from the USA. Half the price they are in Aust even after postage)

[christiand]

Matt,

that is scary !

Steve,

thanks for the suggestion.

Cheers
CD

[spada]

Hi
I've been in Vietnam and Thailand last Xmas (40 days), I don't think that there are any problem. Carry a camera bag or back pack, when needed pull it out.
Carry some plastic bag to protect D70 fron rain if you go around June (rainy season). If you travel in group( the tour guide will tell you what to do). I saw lot of people from Europe carry Camera around the city no problem at all)
I suggest that you bring one all around lense and one small wide angle lense, that should be enough.Make all pocket of your trouser secure to carry money or important document ( I normally wear jean with deep pocket in the FRONT where I kept all important things. In Front so I could see it), you can even buy a D70 with kit lense in VN for around $US 1100 if you know where to buy.

Never do any politic in VN.
Do not show a lot of money in front of strangers
Keep important things in one secured pocket, where you can see it.
Seperate the spending money(VN Dong), and the other put in deep pocket as mentioned above so you do not get mixed up
Do negociate evething you buy, ask how much first for everything


That all I could remeber for now and hope that help

Spada

[Killakoala]

That's great advice Spada and will work equally well in ANY country where you look like a tourist.

Another good place to check info on countries you are going to visit is DFAT.
http://www.dfat.gov.au/

or smart traveller
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

[genji]

CD

I've been to VN twice, 02 and 04. In 02 i was caring a F4s, 18-35, 70-210 and SB-28. Didnt have nay problem at all. I had a nova 2 and still using it.

In 04 i had the D70, 18-35, 24-120, SB-800.

In 02 i was with my GF, and didnt have any probs with safety at all. I travelled to the Mekon Delta and Chang Mai (Thailand) alone and did not encounter any issues.


The VN police keeps a tight reign on the locals. And as steve suggest read upo on the links he provided.

In 04 I travelled with 6 others and again had no probs with the locals.

In VN i travelled to Saigon (HCMC), Dalat, Nga Trang, Hoi An, Sapa, Da nang.

Havent been to Cambodia, so cant say.

I myself am Vietnamese born, so did not really stand out from the crowd. Although most Vietnamese are used to caucasians now.

Although i dont have the 70-200 VR AFS or TC-17EII i dont really believe u would have much probs witht the locals.

I got paranoid over the other foreign travelers. As they would know the value of the gear i was carrying. The LP on vietnam has fantastic info and there advice on travelling is a must read.

If u want more detailed info on specific locations give me a pm.

[christiand]

Thank you everyone so much for your kind replies.

Genji,
I quote: "The LP on vietnam has fantastic info and there advice on travelling is a must read. "

Sorry to ask, whos is the LP ?

Cheers
CD

[Onyx]

Lone Planet - the de-factor guide for travellers IMHO.

[christiand]

Thanks again,

LP = Lonely Planet !
I should have known.

Cheers
CD

[tasadam]

Carry D70, D2x, 18-600VRf1.2, SB800, M16 and army greens...
Sorry.
1 piece of useful advice is a money belt under your clothes, wear something over the top that doesn't show what you've got under it.