We generally like to carry backpacks while traveling (daypacks) to hold our cameras, sunscreen and incidentals. Our money, credit cards and passport are carried in a moneybag under our clothing. How safe is it to carry these daypacks in Vietnam? We are concerned after hearing about the slash and grab incidents. My own camera can be carried in my pocket, but my husband has an expensive larger camera with lenses. Is there any way to insure that the camera cannot be removed from the backpack if it is slashed? Are there any devices we can use to secure valuables?

I carried a daypack on two trips to Vietnam - traveling by train, open tour bus, cyclo and moto. No problems. My Saigon hotel did warn me about grabbers and slash and grabbers, so keep your camera in your daypack or pocket when you're not using it. Some people like Pacsafe products, but I've never seen a need for the extra weight.

I have backpacked extensively in Vietnam on several occasions and always use a day pack (old and scruffy so as not to appear too tempting) containing my digital SLR camera and lenses in a camera bag. Never had a problem adopting this approach but it is sensible to observe the usual precautions like never wearing the back on your back in crowded markets etc. - I keep one strap over my shoulder and the pack firmly under my arm). Don't walk too close to the edge of the pavement as this just makes it easy for drive by thieves one motorbikes.

Pacsafe do make some great products but like thurdsaysd, I have never felt the need. The pacsafe packs generally have steel wires in the straps that make it difficult to slash the strap and are sometimes made of slash-proof material. Ultimately though, if you found yourself in that situation you would be well advised just to let it go rather than risk injury.

http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php...uct_status=New

Three weeks in Vietnam never had a problem. We usually put the extra cash, passport, laptop in the safe deposit in the hotel and carried what we need with us. Dh put his pocket size camera and his wallet in his pants pockets while the major cash was in his money belt. We hung out late and we also went to the night market in the French Quarter in Hanoi and nothing was ever slashed or grabbed. I do make a point not to wear any jewelry when I am on the road. That helps.

I forgot to say I carried a backpack with me all the time and it was not slashed. There is no need to be worried.

In Vietnam and in India, several of my travel partners wore backpacks, and I always carry a purse with a shoulder strap. Main thing is to keep the really valuable stuff- passports, tickets, money - in a hidden money belt. Wear your pack on the front in really crowded areas. Keep purses tightly under your arm or with the strap across your chest. My purse is leather...kind of bumpy and thick (so hard to cut), and has just one main zipper so I can keep my hand on the zipper pull.

I agree with crellston, if someone tries to pull your pack or purse, give it to them. A concussion, getting hit by a car, or a broken arm are not work it!

Your major problem will be in Saigon, and I believe that can be overcome if you use a sturdy pack and not one of the lightweights that have thin straps. Saigon has a major drug problem and with the thousands of motorbikes you do take your chances. In Hanoi, they formerly had a problem at the Night Market, but these days it's lighted much better and also patrolled by plain clothes officers.

You shouldn't have a problem in Saigon. Just be smart and always were your pack with both straps on your shoulders (you can even wear if with the pack part on your chest if you want to). As mentioned above, stay away from the curbside making it harder for motorbikes to get to you. Snatch and grab happens much more to the local Vietnamese than it does tourists. Spent many, many, many days/nights walking around there with my daypack without a problem.

We used our backpacks and never had a problem, although I did hear from other travelers mishaps they had with stolen items from their packs. The key is to be very aware and not keep anything too valuable in your packs.