Overall safety
Foreign residents generally consider Vietnam safe [1,2]. Violent crime against foreigners is rare. The primary safety concerns are petty theft, traffic accidents, and scams targeting foreigners.
Crime
- Bag snatching / phone theft: motorbike drive-by theft is common in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Thieves grab phones from pedestrians or bags from people walking on the sidewalk. Keep your phone in your pocket (not in your hand) when walking near a road. Keep bags on the side away from traffic, or wear them cross-body. If a Grab driver asks you to take off your helmet and put it in the boot, be cautious; there have been cases of drivers driving off with bags.
- Hotel theft: choose reputable accommodation with in-room safes. Lock valuables when leaving the room.
- Drugs: Vietnam has very strict drug laws. Possession of even small amounts of heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine carries heavy prison sentences ranging from 2 years to life. Marijuana possession is also illegal and can result in fines or imprisonment. Avoid any involvement.
- Nightlife crime: fights and drugged drinks occasionally occur in expat bars in HCMC (Bui Vien walking street) and Hanoi (Ta Hien). Watch your drink.
Scams
- Taxi scams: two major types. First, fake taxis with similar livery to Vinasun/Mai Linh use rigged meters. Only use Vinasun (white with red/blue stripes) or Mai Linh (green with white stripes). Second, overlong routes: the driver deliberately takes a longer route. Use Grab or Be for transparent pricing.
- Currency scam: paying with a 500,000 VND note and the scammer claims you gave them a 50,000 VND note. Count your change carefully. Keep smaller bills separate.
- "Prices for Vietnamese": some market vendors quote higher prices to foreigners. Expect to bargain. Ask the price before agreeing to buy anything.
- Airport taxi scams: touts at the airport offer a taxi ride for 500,000 VND when the Grab fare is 120,000 VND. Book a Grab from inside terminals HCMC or Hanoi.
- Petrol pump scam: fuel station attendants resetting the pump before filling from a non-zero amount. Watch the pump display before the attendant starts.
- Friend request scam: strangers approaching and saying they recognise you from your country, followed by a story and a request for money. Common in Bui Vien and around Hoan Kiem Lake.
- Police impersonation: plainclothes individuals claiming to be police demanding on-the-spot fines. Real police in uniform take you to a station for fines. Ask to see a badge and call 113.
Traffic safety
Traffic in Vietnamese cities is dense and chaotic:
- 50+ people die on Vietnamese roads every day. Motorbikes account for the majority of fatalities.
- If you drive a motorbike, wear a helmet (mandatory by law, enforced).
- The most dangerous time is after dark. Rural roads lack lighting. Many vehicles drive without headlights or with inadequate lights.
- Crossing the road as a pedestrian: maintain a constant speed, do not stop or run. Drivers will predict your trajectory and flow around you. Make eye contact with oncoming drivers.
- Driving on the right. Traffic laws are loosely followed.
- Drink-driving enforcement has increased since the 2020 law change (zero tolerance: any detectable alcohol in the breath carries a fine). The standard is 0.0 BAC. Penalties are heavy (6-8 million VND + 10-11 months licence suspension).
Areas with elevated risk
- Remote mountainous areas (Sapa, Ha Giang): poor road conditions, landslides during the rainy season (June-October). Always hire experienced local drivers.
- Scam areas: Bui Vien street (HCMC), Ta Hien street (Hanoi), and other backpacker zones have elevated petty crime and touts after dark.
- Typhoon zones: coastal provinces (Da Nang, Hue, central coast) experience typhoons from September to December. Monitor weather warnings.
Scams targeting expats
- Apartment rental scam: a fake agent shows a property (walk-through photos from a legitimate listing) and collects a deposit. Always view the property in person and deal with a registered agent or building management.
- Visa extension scam: agents promising fast visa extensions without the correct paperwork. Use only official immigration channels.
- Motorbike rental scam: the rented motorbike has pre-existing damage, and the landlord demands excessive repair costs (similar to Thailand's jet-ski scam). Photo-document the motorbike before taking it. Use reputable rental agencies.
Emergency contacts
- Police: 113
- Fire: 114
- Ambulance: 115
- Tourist information / tourist police (Hanoi): +84 24 3826 0000
- Tourist information (HCMC): +84 28 3822 0000
- Tourist assistance hotline: +84 888 223 696 (Vietnam Tourism Association)
- Embassies: register with your home-country embassy.
This page provides general safety information and does not cover all risks. Always verify specific concerns with local authorities.