Travel Advisory
Please check your government's official travel advisory before departure. Situations can change rapidly.
Safety Level
Official risk level and travel advisories
Vietnam is generally safe for tourists, with low violent crime. The main risks are petty theft, bag-snatching from motorbikes, and heavy traffic. Take care crossing roads and keep bags secure. Emergency numbers are 113 (police), 114 (fire) and 115 (ambulance).
- Overall
- Safe; watch petty theft
- Traffic
- Cross roads carefully
- Emergency
- 113 / 114 / 115
- Hold bags on the pavement side away from passing motorbikes
Danger Zones & Areas to Avoid
Regions with poor security or restricted access
Tourist areas are generally safe. Take extra care in crowded districts of Ho Chi Minh City (e.g. around Pham Ngu Lao/District 1) and busy Hanoi streets, where bag-snatching happens. In rural and border areas, stay on marked paths as unexploded ordnance still exists in some former conflict zones.
- Cities
- Bag-snatching hotspots
- Rural
- Stay on marked paths (UXO)
- Advice
- Follow local guidance
- Do not touch unfamiliar metal objects in former war areas
Natural Disaster Risks
Earthquakes, typhoons, floods, and other hazards
Vietnam's rainy season (roughly May–October, later in the centre) brings typhoons, flooding and landslides, especially along the central coast and in the north. Storms can disrupt travel and boat trips (e.g. Ha Long Bay). Check local forecasts and follow official warnings.
- Typhoons
- Rainy season, central coast
- Impact
- Floods, boat trip disruption
- Advice
- Check forecasts, heed warnings
- Boat trips may be cancelled in bad weather for safety
Health & Disease Risks
Endemic diseases and hygiene concerns
Do not drink tap water — use bottled or filtered water and be cautious with ice and raw salads. Mosquito-borne dengue occurs, so use repellent. The biggest everyday risk is road traffic. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended as good private care can be costly.
- Water
- Bottled/filtered only
- Mosquitoes
- Dengue — use repellent
- Insurance
- Strongly recommended
- Check CDC/health advice for recommended vaccines before travel
Crime & Scam Trends
Common crimes and scams targeting tourists
Common issues are bag-snatching by passing motorbikes, overcharging taxis with rigged meters, and small scams (inflated prices, "free" gifts). Use Grab or reputable taxi firms (Mai Linh, Vinasun), agree prices upfront, and keep phones and bags away from the road side.
- Snatching
- From passing motorbikes
- Taxis
- Use Grab / reputable firms
- Scams
- Agree prices upfront
- Hold your phone firmly; do not use it near the kerb
Political Situation & Protests
Political instability and potential demonstrations
Vietnam is a stable one-party state and generally calm for tourists. Public criticism of the government or Communist Party can be treated seriously, so avoid political activity or demonstrations. Do not photograph military sites or personnel, and follow local guidance.
- Stability
- Stable, calm for tourists
- Avoid
- Political activity/protests
- Photos
- No military sites
- Be discreet with political opinions online and offline
Local Laws & Prohibitions
Important local laws and penalties for travelers
Drug offences carry very severe penalties, including the death penalty for trafficking. Carry ID (or a copy) as hotels register your passport. Dress modestly at temples and pagodas (cover shoulders and knees). Gambling outside licensed venues is illegal, and drink-driving limits are strict.
- Drugs
- Severe penalties
- ID
- Carry passport/copy
- Temples
- Dress modestly
- Remove shoes where required and act respectfully at sacred sites
Emergency Contacts
Police, ambulance, and fire department numbers
Emergency numbers are 113 (police), 114 (fire) and 115 (ambulance). English is limited on these lines, so ask hotel staff or a local to help translate. For serious illness or injury, private international hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offer the best care.
- Police
- 113
- Fire / Ambulance
- 114 / 115
- Tip
- Ask locals to translate
- Save your embassy and insurer numbers before you travel
Embassy & Consulate Info
Location and contact details of your embassy
No embassy or consulate information is available for your selected nationality in this country.
Travel Insurance
Recommended coverage and tips for choosing a policy
Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. Public hospitals can be basic, and good private international clinics require upfront payment. Make sure your policy covers motorbike riding if you plan to rent one — many policies exclude it unless you hold the correct licence.
- Status
- Strongly recommended
- Cover
- Private care + evacuation
- Motorbike
- Check it is included
- Keep your policy number and 24h assistance line on your phone