Is Vietnam Safe To Visit In 2024?
Vietnam has gained international recognition as a must-visit destination among adventure travelers and foodies. With breathtaking natural landscapes and a unique yet approachable culture, it's not hard to see why this country's become so popular with backpackers, nature lovers, and veterans.
But with high levels of corruption and censorship, and a lower-middle-income economy, you might be wondering...is Vietnam safe? I know that as a solo woman traveler, safety is one of the first things I look up with researching travel destinations.
So, is Vietnam safe to visit and in particular, is it safe for solo woman travelers? Let's break things down.
Is Vietnam Safe To Visit In 2024?
Overall, Vietnam is safe to visit in 2024. Like any other country, personal safety depends on the city you're visiting and the neighborhood you're staying in. I personally had a wonderful time during my one month trip and never felt on-edge or anxious about danger.
I never saw violence in the streets or experienced outright harassment, cat calling, or discrimination. That being said, please note that I am an Asian American traveler so on first glance, I might not stand out as much.
As a tourist, you should be most wary of pickpockets and reckless drivers. Stay alert and keep track of all your belongings. Much like any other big city, you can expect that if you lose something (like your wallet), you'll probably never see it again.
Statistics:
To get a better feel for overall safety, let's take a look at some recommendations from the authorities:
The US Department of State: Level 1 Travel Advisory—exercise normal precautions
Global Peace Index: 41 out of 163 (ranking number 1 means most peaceful)
Numbeo: 42.17 crime index (120 means most crime), 57.83 safety score (120 means least safe)
According to Numbeo, most of the crime that occurs in Vietnam is corruption and bribery. There is some concern for pickpocketing and robbery, especially around the holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), but risk of serious personal danger is pretty low. Vietnam is a courteous society and while you might encounter some scams, with a little street smarts and awareness, you'll be able to catch them right away. We'll cover some common scams and general tips for safety later on in this article.
How Safe Is Vietnam For Solo Female Travelers?
Vietnam is a safe country for solo woman travelers to visit. I never had any negative experiences from locals or travelers alike.
In large cities, it stays bright and busy out until late at night. While the normal rules for nightlife apply like anywhere else, I generally felt safe enough to walk home alone at night.
One thing that I did notice is that some Vietnamese men like to stare.
It never got too uncomfortable, nor was it aggressive like it is in other countries. But you definitely feel them watching sometimes.
As a solo woman traveler, you will get lots of questions about your age and relationship status. While it may feel a little personal for us, I don't think they mean any harm. It's asked like a natural follow-up to generate conversation, almost the way that we ask, "what do you do for work?" here in the states.
How Safe Is Vietnam At Night?
Vietnam is moderately safe at night. It of course depends on the city you're visiting and the district you're staying in, but I never had an issue with walking around at night.
In big cities like Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, the streets stay busy until pretty late (1-2am). You'll see plenty of vendors, tourists, and locals just hanging out until the wee hours of the night.
Nighttime in the countryside is still pretty safe, but depending on where you are, it might get quite dark. As a solo woman traveler, I tried to venture out less at night in the countryside simply because I was less familiar with the area and moderately concerned that I would never find help if something did happen.
Just like during the daytime, you should watch out for reckless drivers, pickpockets, and bag snatchers. Stay away from overly crowded areas and if you're participating in nightlife, watch your drink and don't get too intoxicated. Stay away from the red light districts and avoid participating in any illegal activities.
Top Petty Crimes And Scams In Vietnam
Pickpocketing is one of the crimes that you'll likely encounter in Vietnam. It mostly happens in big cities and in crowded areas but regardless, whenever you're out and about, you should keep your belongings close and use a bag that's hard to steal from.
Now let's talk about scams. Like anywhere in the world, you'll run into people trying to make a quick buck off your lack of cultural understanding. However, I found that there were relatively few scams in Vietnam compared to some other places (Thailand, for example).
In my experience, Vietnamese locals were generally really honest and fair in their pricing and services. My friend did overpay for some street food and clothes, but if you shop around when you first arrive, you'll get a feel for how things are generally priced.
Here Are Some Of The Most Common Scams In Vietnam:
Taxi/Cyclo Scam: This scam is not unique to Vietnam but because it happens so frequently, I've included it at the top of the list. A taxi or cyclo driver will claim that their meter is broken or take you the long way around to your destination and charge you more. In Vietnam, the best way to combat this is to use a reputable taxi company or a ride-share app like Grab. The top two taxi companies in Vietnam are Mai Linh Taxi and Vinasun. You can also ask your hotel reception or Airbnb guest to help you coordinate transportation beforehand.
Motorbike Scam: Motorbikes are one of the best ways to get around Vietnam. But regardless of how long you're renting one for, you should definitely keep an eye out for scammers. Scammers may withhold your passport as a security deposit and demand extra payment for its return, or charge you extra for pre-existing damages. Prevent this scam by opting for a cash deposit and documenting the bike's condition with photos or videos before signing the waiver. I also like to check Google Maps reviews when looking for a reputable shop to rent from.
Street Vendor (Fruit & Coconut Seller) Scam: One of the most recognizable things about Vietnam is the street vendors wearing conical hats and carrying bamboo baskets full of fruit. Be wary, however, because it could be a scam! Some street vendors invite you to take photos with them and then demand payment or force you to buy their products. Avoid this by politely refusing their offer and walking away quickly.
Currency Swap Scam: Vietnam's got a lot of different bills and when you're in a rush, that blue 20,000 dong can easily be mistaken for a similarly blue 200,000 dong bill. The currency swap scam is when vendors purposely swap larger bills for smaller ones in order to make a few extra bucks. Make sure to always count your change and do the math and you should be fine.
Donut Scam: Honestly, this is a small scam but because I personally fell victim to it, I feel inclined to write about it. On the streets of Hanoi, you'll see lots of ladies selling delicious looking donuts. They'll offer you to taste one and then load up a bag full of them. However, when you tell them that you only want a handful, they'll keep putting more donuts in and then charge you an exorbitant amount for them. The worst part is that the donuts are often fried in really cheap, unregulated, old oil and taste pretty bad. We paid 200,000 dong (almost $8!) for a small bag of donuts. Avoid this scam by simply avoiding the donut ladies. They look tasty but I assure you, they're not.
Sim Card Scam: I usually pre-buy my eSIMs from Holafly or Airalo, but because service can be pretty inconsistent in Vietnam, I opted to buy one from am local carrier this time around. SIM card scammers can either sell you a SIM card claiming that it's from one carrier when in reality it's from another carrier (with worse coverage) or they can sell you a SIM card that's already been activated. Avoid these scams by buying directly from the telecom companies or from authorized resellers. Heads up that these can happen in the airport too...
Bracelet Scam: I actually first encountered this scam in Italy, but my friend nearly fell for it when were were traveling in Sapa. Basically, a friendly woman will come up to you and start making small talk. She'll put a cheap bracelet around your wrist and when you try to give it back, the scammer will insist that it's a gift. Usually, they'll tell you a sob story and then ask for a tip or push you to buy something else. This scam works because it preys on your instinct to be kind. Just say no, give the bracelet back, and quickly walk away.
Tips To Stay Safe In Vietnam:
Stay alert as a pedestrian. Vietnam traffic (seemingly) goes in all directions so you should always stay vigilant. Drivers try not to hit people but accidents happen all the time.
Don’t wear flashy jewelry or carry too much cash. Even consider using a fake wallet in case you run into corrupt police or pickpockets.
Avoid taking photos of police or military. The country's changed a lot, but sometime taking photos of the police, military, or inside government buildings can still get you in trouble.
Don’t carry your passport around. This is a basic travel tip but it still applies. Use a photo of your passport or visa stored on your phone instead.
Exercise basic street smarts. Don’t take or accept any illegal recreational drugs; don't leave your drinks unattended; avoid outdoor ATMs. All common knowledge but on here in case you needed a reminder.
Invest in travel insurance. You never know when you're going to need it!
Beyond Crime: Food Safety, Water Safety, Pollution, and Insects In Vietnam
Although Vietnam has modernized quite a bit these past two decades, there are still quite a few differences in lifestyle that you should watch out for. Here are some non-crime related things that you should be aware of so that you can have the most pleasant travel experience.
Is Street Food Safe In Vietnam?
Vietnamese street food is safe to eat! Just make sure that you choose a stall that's frequented by lots of local Vietnamese people. Eat during regular hours and try to avoid street food when it's potentially been sitting there for a long time. If you want to take an extra step and be safe, stick to cooked vegetarian options as they're less likely to carry food borne pathogens.
Is Tap Water Safe In Vietnam?
Tap water is fine to use for brushing your teeth and washing your dishes, but stick to bottled water for consumption. If you have to drink it, it's probably fine. But the general recommendation is to avoid it if possible because the water treatments may be inconsistent from city to city and the pipes that they run through are probably quite old.
How To Deal With Insects In Vietnam?
Like any other country in Southeast Asia, Vietnam's got a lot of insects. Most of them are harmless, but the mosquitoes are definitely a concern. Visiting Vietnam (especially the rural areas) puts you at risk for contracting malaria and Dengue fever. Prevent serious sickness by wearing a DEET-based bug spray and long layers during sunrise and sunset.
How Bad Is Pollution In Vietnam?
Pollution in Vietnam is notoriously bad. In big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the air quality index can get as high as the 130. Air pollutants can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms so make sure to bring your inhaler and any backup medications just in case. A face mask can also be helpful when traveling around metropolitan areas as it can prevent you from inhaling too much smog.
Vietnam is a beautiful country that is safe for most travelers to visit. As long as you exercise some common-sense precautions in the cities, you'll have a wonderful time exploring the limestone islands and eating all the noodle soups to your heart's content. I hope that this blog post was helpful and if you’re ready to get to planning your adventure through Vietnam, here’s the perfect one month itinerary to begin with!
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