Pickpocketed in Hanoi
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2003
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Pickpocketed in Hanoi
Never been pickpocketed before today. We were staying at the Metropole in Hanoi, as was the president of Argentina and her entourage. The presidential visit turned the lobby into a madhouse with screening equipment, press, and wall to wall people. I paid the bill and decided to go to the Citibank ATM next door to get more dong since we were leaving for Hue. From the ATM went straight to the hotel room to finish packing. When the time came to divide up the money with DH, my wallet was not in the large purse I was carrying. I assumed that I absentmindedly set it down in the room or packed it. Took everything apart, not a trace. The hotel sent up staff to check the room. Nothing. Rechecked the luggage when we arrived in Hue. Nothing. Checked with Citibank before we left. Nothing. There was a rather shady looking gent in the elevator with me on the way to the room. It was just the two of us. Wonder if he helped himself while we were waiting for the elevator or inside the elevator?
#14
Join Date: May 2004
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Sorry it happened to you. Had the same thought as Shanghainese about your ATM card and wallet+contents of. Take solace in knowing karma will catch up to them whoever it was.
Hoping that the rest of your trip is more enjoyable.
Aloha!
Hoping that the rest of your trip is more enjoyable.
Aloha!
#16
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Thanks for the support! I am a great believer in diversification of holdings in both the stock market and when traveling, so the thief didn't wipe us out. I do always keep the wallet with limited contents in a zipped pocket but since I was just walking across the hotel lobby to the elevator I didn't bother. Stupid, stupid, as the Europe forum would say.
#18
Join Date: May 2004
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Hmmm, about 5 years ago someone tried to knick my wallet just outside that same hotel. Caught him though, made a big fuss about it and then a lady came over and beat him with a broom. So sorry to hear that happened to you; no worries though, he'll get a broom taken to him eventually.