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Is Hanoi Safe?

Gi Shieh

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Vietnam is a top travel destination for solo adventurers on a hunt for pristine landscapes, vibrant culture, and an interwoven history that makes one reflect on their own identity within the world.

From motorcycling through the expansive northern mountains of Ha Giang to enjoying the dynamic (borderline chaotic) nightlife of Ho Chi Minh City, it's a country that offers a broad range of experiences for any traveler looking for new insights.

While Vietnam on a whole is one of the one of the safest travel destinations in 2024 (ranked 13th for personal security on Gallup's Law and Order Index), let's take a more detailed look at its capital: Hanoi.

Hanoi is Vietnam's second-most populous city with over 8 million local residents and 24 million annual visitors.

From navigating the reckless motorcycle drivers to avoiding pickpocketing in narrow and congested streets, here's everything you need to know about safety in the bustling city of Hanoi with tips and tricks from a solo female traveler.

How Safe Is Hanoi In 2024?

Hanoi is a safe travel destination for international visitors in 2024.

In my experience as a solo woman traveler, I never ran into any danger and even felt safe walking back to my accommodations in Old Quarter late at night.

However, Hanoi is a large city so it's important to always stay alert and aware. Watch out for pickpockets and motorcycles, and avoid sketchy (or too-crowded) bars/clubs and you'll be fine.

Statistics:

Anecdotal evidence only paints a partial picture, so let's look at some recommendations from the authorities.

Vietnam Rankings:

Hanoi Rankings:

  • Numbeo: 65.64 safety score (100 is most safe)

The only crime category that ranks as "high" in Hanoi is corruption and bribery. However, as a tourist, you're probably not going to see any of it (unless you're doing something illegal like driving a motorcycle without a license).

Unfortunately, you are potentially going to experience petty crime. Think vandalism, theft, and scams. Keep an eye on your belongings and store your valuables back at your hotel. We'll cover some general safety tips to avoid those dangers later on in the article, but you should also always purchase travel insurance just in case.

How Safe Is Hanoi For Solo Female Travelers?

Hanoi is pretty safe for solo female travelers. I never had any issues with cat calling, discrimination, or sexual harassment but did get the occasional weird stare as I walked down the street (this was probably more because of how stressed I looked crossing the street than anything else though).

The city felt almost as safe as Taipei and definitely safer than New York City (two places that I’ve lived for extensive periods of time).

I even felt secure enough to participate in nightlife and wander the maze-like alleys alone late at night. The locals were somewhat reserved but also did their best to help when you needed something.

Some things I enjoyed doing alone:

How Safe Is Hanoi At Night?

Hanoi is fairly safe at night.

Vietnam gets so hot during the day that a lot of activities only begin later in the afternoon or in the evening (especially during summer). From the shenanigans on Hanoi's famous Beer Street (Ha Tien Street) to wholesome chilling by Hoàn Kiếm Lake on the weekends, there's a nighttime activity for everybody.

With families and couples out and about, very little crime happens. I even felt safe enough to walk home through the small alleys to my accommodations in Old Quarter every evening.

That begin said, the city had a 12AM curfew in place from 2016 - 2020 so even now, a lot of businesses (95%) will close by 1AM. My recommendation is to get your evening explorations done early and then get a fresh start the following morning.

Also, I wouldn't say that there are unsafe neighborhoods in Hanoi, but there are definitely areas that are less sparsely populated. Therefore, if you're walking home late at night, it might feel eerily quiet. If you're ever in a situation where you feel unsure, I recommend calling a Grab and heading back as soon as possible. The risk is never worth it.

Some safety tips for exploring Hanoi at night:

  • Don’t wander the streets while intoxicated

  • Keep your valuables safely stowed away

  • Choose well-lit streets over dimly-lit ones

  • Avoid sketchy neighborhoods (we'll share some down below)

Pretty self explanatory but we all need a reminder every now and again, right? Furthermore, you can take a peek at recent vlogs on Youtube to get a more accurate understanding of what to expect!

Safest Neighborhoods In Hanoi

Choosing a safe neighborhood to stay in is essential when traveling alone. Here are the safest neighborhoods in Hanoi:

  • Old Quarter: best neighborhood for first-time visitors as it's in a well-populated, central location

  • French Quarter: quieter area just south of Old Quarter. Home to many government buildings and cultural sites like the Opera House or Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

  • West Lake (Tay Ho District): quiet and zen area surrounding Tao Ho Lake. Popular among expats and fairly residential

  • Hai Bà Trưng District: one of the four original urban districts. A little further south that the city center but this neighborhood is modern with plenty of hip cafes

Top Hotel Recommendations For Hanoi In Each Neighborhood:

Least Safe Neighborhoods In Hanoi:

The thing is, Hanoi and Vietnam on a whole really are pretty safe. There aren't any sketchy neighborhoods or streets in the central area.

My recommendation is that you just stay away from remote districts and the outskirts of the city. These areas are still pretty safe but they're less convenient, and communication with locals and access to accommodations might be more challenging.

In some of the most popular and safe neighborhoods listed above, you still have to be aware of your surroundings and watch out for pick pockets (especially in dense tourist areas like Old Quarter and around Hoan Kiem Lake).

Top Petty Crimes And Scams In Hanoi

As a tourist, you’re most at risk for petty crimes like pick pocketing, bag snatching, and simple scams.

When walking through the streets, keep your belongings close (and securely on your body) and always stay vigilant about those around you.

Here are the most common scams in Hanoi:

  • Overpriced Goods: definitely one of the most common scams in Hanoi. Shop around local markets to get a feel for typical costs and do your best to avoid vendors who don't display prices.

  • Bait and Switch: there are a lot of fake goods in Vietnam. The Bait and Switch technique is when vendors show you a higher quality, authentic item at a good price and then swap the product with a lower quality one after you pay (usually when they're bagging up the goods or retrieving a new one from the back room).

  • Sim Card Scam: Similar to the Bait and Switch scam but vendors will sell you a SIM card claiming that it's of a certain caliber from a specific telecom company and actually give you a cheaper one from a different company. I fell for this at the airport when I thought I was buying a high quality Viettel SIM card but after installation realized that it was from Vinaphone instead. I still had decent coverage in the cities but didn't have service at all in remote areas.

  • Donut Scams: there are street vendors in Hanoi that carry delicious looking donuts. Don't buy from them! You'll ask only for a handful but they'll give you a whole bag and overcharge you. The donuts themselves are extremely stale and cooked in old oil; entirely inedible. I fell for this and paid roughly 200,000 VND ($8) for a bag of maybe 10 donut holes. Retrospectively it wasn't a big deal, the outright deceit made me mad for days.

  • Free Photos: a common scam targeted towards tourists. Aunties carrying beautiful fruit baskets in signature conical bamboo hats or swindlers pretending to be photography students will approach you for photos. Once you agree and snap the pictures, they'll insist on payment for their services. If someone approaches you, just say no and walk away quickly.

  • Currency Swap: Vietnamese dong can be quite confusing. The bills come in a lot of denominations in similar colors so when you first arrive, it can take you a while to get used to. Scammers will take advantage of this and swap out similar looking bills when finding your change. Always take your time to double check and count carefully.

  • Taxi Scam: some taxi drivers might take you the long way around or overcharge you for the route. Agree on a fare beforehand and use Google Maps to make sure that they're navigating the city appropriately. You can also use the Grab app (ride share app) as a more secure and convenient alternative.

  • Exchange Rates: always exchange your money at authorized institutions like banks, airport kiosks, ATMs, or reputable exchange shops. Street vendors will likely give you a terrible rate, charge exorbitant fees, or give you counterfeit bills.

  • Fake Tours and Agencies: book your tours directly through reputable agencies, your hostel, or online platforms like Klook or Viator. Travel agents that promote in the streets often have cheaper deals but those tours will likely get canceled or you'll get a subpar experience.

  • Motorbike Rentals: I don't recommend renting a motorbike in Hanoi as it's a pretty walkable city, but a lot of people will take on the challenge of riding from Hanoi to Ha Giang (again, not my recommendation as it's pretty dangerous). However, if you plan on doing so despite my warnings, do your research and go with a reputable rental company. Scammy companies will provide you with poorly maintained bikes or charge you for pre-existing damages. If you do decide to rent a bike, you should have your International Driver's Permit on hand and strongly consider buying insurance (70% of road crashes in Hanoi are related to motorcycle users). 

Tips to stay safe in Hanoi:

  • Be alert as a pedestrian. Crossing the street in Hanoi is an art form and accidents happen all the time.

  • Don’t wear flashy jewelry or carry too much cash.

  • Don’t carry your passport around.

  • Don’t take or accept any illegal recreational drugs.

  • Invest in a pick-pocket-proof bag.

  • Don’t leave an open drink or valuables unattended.

  • Invest in travel insurance.

Is Grab safe in Hanoi?

Grab is by far the most popular ride-hailing service in Vietnam and in my experience, it's perfectly safe to use in Hanoi. Drivers are registered and monitored by the company.

However, ride-share etiquette still holds. Before hopping into your Grab car (or onto the back of a Grab motorbike), make sure to verify your driver's details with the information provided in the app. You can also share your ride details with a friend or family member to ensure a more safe journey.

Is Street Food Safe In Vietnam?

One of the best ways to experience Hanoi authentically is through street food!

From grabbing a Banh Mi to go from the hawker stall around the corner to enjoying a hot bowl of pho while seated on a tiny stool on the sidewalk, enjoying Vietnamese street food is a quintessential part of the experience.

But is street food safe? Generally, yes.

However, if you're worried about getting sick, just make sure that you're picking shops with long lines that local Vietnamese people eat at. Dine at normal hours and carry some anti diarrhea medicine just in case.

Can You Drink Tap Water In Vietnam?

In general, tap water is not safe to drink in Vietnam. However, it is usually okay for consumption after boiling. Some local also choose to use a filtration system to separate out additional particles and contaminants that impact taste.

While Hanoi does have strict testing and processing in place for its water, the pipes are old and so water quality often fluctuates from neighborhood to neighborhood.

For the most part, I just drank bottled water. Not the most sustainable, but safety comes first.

Hanoi was the first stop of my one-month journey through Vietnam and it gave me a clear understanding of just how safe, genuine, and hospitable Vietnamese society is.

As a first-time solo visitor, it's an extremely approachable city and as along as you stay aware of your surroundings and are mindful of your belongings, I guarantee that you'll have a great time.

For more on navigating Vietnam and Asia, check out:

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