Bangladesh is not out of the grip of the global epidemic Kovid epidemic. However, due to the prevalence of this virus, Bangladesh has never been in the list of top 20 countries for more than a year. Excluding this issue, how safe Bangladesh is for tourists to visit can be discussed.
Vising the Capital and Other Divisional Cities: While walking around or driving in Dhaka and other major cities, always avoid crowded places, staying for a while at crossroads or road corners. Before starting your tour each day, always make reading in national newspapers in the morning. See if there is any strike or called demonstrations by the political parties or garments factories’ labour unions. If you see any of such, avoid your visit to those likely places. On the other hand, keep your mobile full of charge with enough top-ups before your tour to any destinations (that includes your visit to remote or rural areas). Always keep an emergency contact list with you.
Militant Threat: elements of militancy have been significantly reduced by the state forces in the last couple of years.
Snatchers: Over a decade, hardly any news of the Snatchers incident has been heard of. Dhaka has got rid of snatchers. Still, you should not walk alone at midnight in the alleys of Dhaka. If you are alone in places in remote areas at night; chances are highly likely. In the evening and daylight, in less densely populated suburbs, there could be a possible appearance of a snatcher.
Robbers Threats: While staying in district towns, you should choose well-reputed hotels. Avoid booking cheap hotels.
Malaria, Dengue, Other Viral Fever, Diarrhea: For visiting mountainous Chittagong tracts, you would need to take anti-malaria medications and anti-mosquito ointment (that you would massage). For diarrhea, you need to take a drinkable dry saline packet if you would like to tour the cities and villages in Bangladesh. In your meal, avoid taking food from cheap restaurants.
Road Safety: Unfortunately, Bangladesh is infamous for maintaining road safety standards in the country. Due to too many road accidents over the decades, and the recent killing of college students by a local bus driver, in 2018, there were several student protests in Dhaka with the demand to improve road safety level across the country.
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You should never ride a three-wheel vehicle on a highway journey. Avoid CNG, and auto-rickshaws on highways. Always avoid typical vehicles like tempo and rickshaws on any kind of road and street. For inter-district travel, choose either a domestic flight or a brand luxurious coach.
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There are plenty of deluxe coach services across Bangladesh; especially between major cities. Prefer Air-Conditioned coach is highly recommended for international tourists. Green Line, Shohag Scania, Hanif bus line, London Express, TR Travels, Saudia, Desh Travels, and Saintmartin Paribahan are good brands.
If you hire a car, make sure the car is taken from a reputed company like Hertz. Make sure that the car is in the necessary first aid box, has an emergency contact list, has fire extinguisher, and after all, the driver knows the destination well and he is well trained.
Train Service: Train services in the county is not up to the mark in terms of security and service standard. SO, it is not recommendable for international tourists.
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Safe Hotels and Resorts: A number of them in major cities have the standard to be reported for security clearance. Your country’s mission or embassy in Bangladesh may be able to provide you with the lists. In Dhaka city, hotels and resort-like the Westin, Le Meridien Dhaka, Radisson Blue Dhaka Water Garden, Lake Shore, Amari Dhaka, Space the Apartment, and Pan Pacific Sonargaon are likely to have good security measures, apparatuses, and procedures. Similarly, for Chittagong City, the names of Hotel Agrabad and the Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View are to be mentioned. For Sylhet, the Rose View Hotel’s name is mentionable. For the sea-beach city, Cox’sbazar, Sayeman Beach Resort, Long Beach Hotel, Ocean Paradise Hotel, and Resort’s names are mentionable. For Jessore,
The emergency number in Bangladesh is 999 which covers police, fire, and ambulance services. You must tell your exact address with a location in case you are in trouble and need help. Please report to the nearest police station before you enter any risky zone and take clearance; especially in Chittagong hill tracts areas. Wish you safe travel in Bangladesh.
