While traveling in Vietnam, Felicia from LiveSelfHappy.com had a harrowing experience in Ho Chi Minh City’s tourist-heavy District 1. After befriending two American travelers and mingling with a local party crew on Bui Vien walking street, she was offered what seemed to be a joint. The first night went smoothly, but on the second night, she smoked from another joint offered by the same group — and immediately realized something was wrong. The substance smelled like burnt plastic, and within seconds she felt overwhelming effects: distorted perception, panic, and physical disorientation. One of her companions also smoked before she could warn them, while the third remained sober.

As the drug quickly took hold, Felicia and her friends tried to confront the group, but were met with mocking replies and indifference from the surrounding crowd. Security and police were nowhere to be found. Char began vomiting, and the group struggled to get off Bui Vien and find transportation. While waiting for her Grab car, Felicia was again approached by one of the men from the group, who tried to downplay the situation. Though dazed and terrified, she managed to escape into the car and get back to her hostel, only to be harassed via WhatsApp by the same individual and unknown numbers afterward.

Felicia chose to flee Ho Chi Minh City that same day, abandoning her non-refundable travel plans. She later learned from locals and expats that the drug may have been “spice,” a synthetic substance sometimes used to rob or incapacitate tourists. She reflects on how fortunate she was to react quickly and escape before the situation escalated. Her final message is clear: trust your instincts, be cautious in tourist zones, and never let your guard down — even in places that feel safe at first.

Read the full blog post on liveselfhappy.com (14 september 2022)