True Story, I Got Robbed in Vietnam

by Kamra Clemons (United States of America)

A leap into the unknown USA

The night I was robbed, in was in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. I decided to be social and meet up with another girl from a facebook group. We got some tea, then hit up a rooftop bar for some drinks. The conversation was flowing, and I started to feel a little buzzed. She invited me to her apartment to meet her boyfriend and cat. Although I was enjoying myself, it was time to get back to my hostel because it was now 1:20 am. And I had a flight to catch the next day. I'm not going to lie, at this point I was turnt. I said my goodbyes, ordered a Grab bike (it's like Uber) and headed downstairs because it said it was only a minute away. At this point I was tired, and out of it. Soon as I get outside, the driver moving farther and farther from me on the map. It was getting late, and I didn't have time for his shenanigans. Since it was late and he seemed to be the only driver in the area I messaged him "where are you?" Finally he came, but with an attitude. I was thoroughly confused and didn't know what the heck he was saying because he was yelling in Vietnamese, then laughed. My guess was he didn't want to take me because it was "far" (he pointed at the map.) Attempting to get back, I tried to request another ride, but he was still the only one close by. Every single time, it would match me with him. Then this man had the nerve to be lurking around the area 300 ft away from me. At this point a knot formed in my throat and my stomach began to hurt. Feeling unsafe, and intoxicated, my anxiety was shot through the roof. On top of that my signal kept going in and out, so I could not message the girl I hung out with. Bad thoughts started to enter my mind since it was now 1:40 am. I knew better and normally, I wouldn't be out and about this late solo. I don't know what sparked a difference this night. Ruminating stories of robberies played in my head, but I just knew I was taking the proper precautions. It had been said people on motorbikes will drive up and snatch your belongings. Or more commonly pickpocketing. I clutched my purse so tight and carefully looked at my phone every few minutes for a new driver. After 30 minutes of nervously waiting, I was able to get another one. As soon as he arrived, I hopped on the back of his bike and we took off. Still feeling a little uneasy I huddled over my phone texting my best friend about being stranded earlier. Literally, as soon as I sent the text a man with a mask on—which is actually common to wear— rode up to my motorbike. WHATTTTTT IN THE WORLD! He strategically yanked my phone out my hand. I tried to yank it back, but he was obviously stronger than me. Then he drove off so fast, I never saw him again. The fact he could get his bike to match my drivers speed then do all of this in a matter of seconds, blew my mind. I shut my eyes and let out a huge scream, bargaining for the money I had on me in exchange for my phone. But as soon as I opened my eyes, he was gone. My driver tried to drop me off in the middle of nowhere. At this point I was panicking! But I had to put on my big girl pants and figure out how to get back. He knew zero English, but I begged him not to drop me off yet. Whimpering I showed him my cash and I pointed to his phone to use google. Typing in my hostel name, allowed my driver to see where to take me. Then he proceeded to navigate me. The rest of the ride was filled with an unsettling pain that consumed my entire body for 16 long minutes. Then finally I made it safely to my room.