Sensitive Areas

Some sensitive areas in Vietnam, like military installations, prisons or nuclear research plants (there's at least one), are no different from restricted zones in any other country: if you try to enter or...
Some sensitive areas in Vietnam, like military installations, prisons or nuclear research plants (there's at least one), are no different from restricted zones in any other country: if you try to enter or are found loitering, you will be stopped and questioned. However, there are also areas that are sensitive because of political or ethnic dissent. The most notorious of these are in the Central Highlands, particularly near the borders with Cambodia and Laos. It is theoretically possible to go to many such places by requesting official permission. However, our advice (strictly unofficial, you understand) is, DON'T bother: it will be a lot of hassle, and they'll probably say no ('they' being the appropriate authorities). Just go: if you get stopped, it's not the end of the world (simply remember to carry your passport - and a photocopy of it, just in case). As a rule, you will find that the official line on things becomes progressively less strict, the further you get from the centers of power...