Travel Advisory
Worldwide Caution Public
Announcement
Evacuation Travel Information
Health Information
for Travelers to East Asia
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Travel Advisory: Mainland China and Hong Kong; Singapore; and Hanoi, Vietnam
Foreign Security Directive
Federal Travel Regulation GSA Travel Advisory
No.8
Things to Remember Before You Go
What to Bring
- Safety begins when you pack. To avoid being a target,
dress conservatively. A flashy wardrobe or one that is
too casual can mark you as a tourist. As much as possible,
avoid the appearance of affluence.
- Always travel light. If you do, you can move more quickly
and will be more likely to have a free hand. You will
also be less tired and less likely to set your luggage
or belongings down, leaving them unattended.
- Carry the minimum amount of valuables necessary for your
trip and plan a place or places to conceal them. Your
passport, cash and credit cards are most secure when locked
in a hotel safe. When you have to carry them on your person,
you may wish to conceal them in several places rather
than putting them all in one wallet or pouch. Avoid handbags,
fanny packs and outside pockets, which are easy targets
for thieves. Inside pockets and a sturdy shoulder strap
worn across your chest are somewhat safer. One of the
safest places to carry valuables is in a pouch or money
belt worn under your clothing.
- If you wear glasses, pack an extra pair. Bring them and
any medications you need in your carry-on luggage.
- To avoid problems when passing through customs, keep
medicines in their original, labeled containers. Bring
a copy of your prescriptions and the generic names for
the drugs. If a medicine is unusual or contains narcotics,
carry a letter from your doctor attesting to your need
to take the drug. If you have any doubt about the legality
of carrying a certain drug into a country, consult the
embassy or consulate of that country first.
- Bring travelers checks and one or two major credit cards
instead of cash.
- Pack an extra set of passport photos along with a photocopy
or your passport information page to make replacement
of your passport easier in the event it is lost or stolen.
- Put your name, address and telephone numbers inside and
outside of each piece of luggage. Use your work address
and telephone number rather than your home information.
Use covered luggage tags to avoid casual observation of
your identity or nationality and if possible, lock your
luggage.
A Few Things to Bring and Leave Behind
- Make photocopies of your passport identification page,
airline tickets, driver's license and the credit cards
that you plan to bring with you. Leave one photocopy of
this data with family or friends at home; pack the other
in a separate place from where you carry your valuables.
If traveling with others, give him or her a copy of your
information. This will be used to prove your identity
if your passport gets lost or stolen.
- Leave a copy of the serial numbers of your traveler's
checks with a friend or relative at home. Carry your copy
with you in a separate place and, as you cash checks,
cross them off.
Precautions to Take While Traveling
Safety on the Street
- Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you
would at home. Be especially cautious in, or avoid areas
where you are likely to be victimized. These include crowded
subways, train stations, elevators, tourist sites, market
places, festivals and marginal areas of cities.
- Don't use short cuts, narrow alleys or poorly lit streets.
- Try not to travel alone at night.
- Avoid public demonstrations and other civil disturbances.
- Keep a low profile and avoid loud conversations or arguments.
Do not discuss travel plans or other personal matters
with strangers.
- Avoid scam artists. Beware of strangers who approach
you, offering bargains or to be your tour guide.
- Beware of pickpockets. They often have an accomplice
who will:
- Jostle you
- Ask you for directions or the time
- Point to something spilled on your clothing
- Distract you by creating a disturbance
- A child or even a woman carrying a baby can be a pickpocket.
Beware of groups of vagrant children who create a distraction
while picking your pocket.
- Wear the shoulder strap of your bag across your chest
and walk with the bag away from the curb to avoid drive-by
purse-snatchers.
- Try to seem purposeful when you move about. Even if you
are lost, act as if you know where you are going. When
possible, ask directions only from individuals in authority.
- Know how to use a pay telephone and have the proper change
or token on hand.
- Learn a few phrases in the local language so you can
signal your need for help, the police, or a doctor. Make
note of emergency telephone numbers you may need: police,
fire, your hotel, and the nearest embassy or consulate.
- If you are confronted, don't fight back. Give up your
valuables. Your money and your passport can be replaced,
but you cannot.
Safety in Your Hotel
- Keep your hotel door locked at all times.
- Meet visitors in the lobby.
- Do not leave money or valuables in your hotel room while
you are out. Use the hotel safe.
- Let someone know when you expect to return, especially
if out late at night.
- If you are alone, do not get on an elevator if there
is a suspicious-looking person inside.
- Read the fire safety instructions in your hotel room.
Know how to report a fire. Be sure you know where the
nearest fire exit and an alternate are.
- Count the doors between your room and the nearest exit
- this could be a lifesaver if you have to crawl through
a smoke-filled corridor.
How to Handle Money Safely
- To avoid carrying large amounts of cash, change your
traveler's checks only as you need currency. Counter sign
a traveler check only in front of the person who will
cash them.
- Do not flash large amounts of money when paying a bill.
Make sure your credit card is returned to you after each
transaction.
- Deal only with authorized agents when you exchange money,
buy airline tickets, or purchase souvenirs. Do not change
money on the black market.
- If your possessions are lost or stolen, report the loss
immediately to the local police. After reporting lost
items to the police, report the loss of:
- Traveler's checks to the nearest agent of the issuing
company
- Credit cards to the issuing company
- Airline tickets to the airline or travel agent
- Passport to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate
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