Also, FWIW I don't intend to rent a bike or car. Not sure if that greatly reduces my chances of getting some of these cop horror stories. Mostly looking to explore the city, chill in the place I rent out, and maybe take a few day trips via bus/train.

Generally it is advisable to rent a bike for maximum mobility, though to evade the cops you usually need to follow the rules, or dress like a poorfag. Former means the case may drag on for too long and latter means you're not worth it to be caught.
That said do NOT ever drive after drinking. Order a taxi from Grab instead. Take your time and enjoy the food and cafe culture there.

t. vietfag

>>2872636
Viet cops are cool. They are actually terrified of being posted online by foreigners. Just remember to take out your phone when dealing with them and they will bend over backward for you. That said, NEVER do drugs (even marijuana) or cause troubles when you are too intoxicated. If they have you by the balls, be assured they will wring you for all you're worth.

>>2872636
If the law says you have to carry your passport, then for godsakes carry it whenever you leave your room. It's not that hard. I've been doing it for the last four months.

>>2873046
>just carry your most important document on you at all times, bro!
...No...
I will carry a photocopy of it, and I'm being generous. If that doesn't suffice, you are welcome to drive me back to my hotel and I'll let you see it.
Colombia, a nation notorious for street crime/robbery, says the same thing. Lmao fuck off

>>2873046
literally no one does this. no one is going to randomly ask you for your passport

Moldy filthy shit hole

>>2873091
>this document is so important that I abandon it someplace out of my reach, trusting that it will be there when I return
LMAO, what kind of joker logic is this.

>>2873761
bro that’s because of the humidity

>>2873768
Um yes, retard
My passport is far safer locked in my hotel then it is when I'm a few drinks in around some broke brown locals in a thirdie country

>>2872636
HCMC is extremely comfy but not very exciting. It's a working city. A lot of anons go to SEA to date girls, and yeah this is a good place for that. Normies come here for the food, and it's also a great place for that. Word to the wise-- Don't try to be Mr. Authentic who eats all the street food. Street food is not a 'proud tradition' in this city, just extra-cheap crap for workers in a hurry or overpriced crap for tourists. If you want to party like the locals do, drive until you don't see any white people and then find a crowded open-air wooden chair and table restaurant, which will sell you grilled goat and seafood and stuff. If you choose wisely then yeah this is the real Saigon cuisine. There's also great Chinese food in the center of the city and great Western food in Thao Dien. Hoang Sa/Truong Sa Street is a good entry-level walking destination. Skip District 1.

>I'd rather not deal with constantly paying "tax" for walking home at night because I left my passport at my hotel or some BS "law" they had.
This is fake news. I've lived here 11 years and never seen a pedestrian shakedown.

>>2872913
This is all good advice, thanks for posting here vietbro.

>>2872936
>NEVER do drugs (even marijuana)
You're fine if you're wise about stealthily procuring and using them, but in 2026 you've got to control the odor. Gone are the days of walking around restaurants with a joint in your mouth although I do have good memories of that.

>>2873046
>>2873768
You're retarded.