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Safety and Security

While the Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens overseas maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness, the potential threat of terrorist attacks in Vietnam is low.

The Government of Vietnam may not allow or authorize travel to certain areas of Vietnam that are deemed sensitive. These travel limitations may hinder the ability of the U.S. government to provide assistance to you in such areas. Check with local authorities before visiting border areas to see if you need to obtain a travel permit issued by local authorities. U.S. citizens have been detained after traveling in areas close to the Vietnamese borders with China, Cambodia, and Laos. These areas are not always marked, and there are no warnings about prohibited travel. You should avoid such areas unless you obtain written permission in advance from local authorities.

Safety regulations and standards in Vietnam are not at the same level as those in the United States, and they vary greatly from company to company and province to province. In January 2014, a popular ferry between Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau caught fire and sank in the Saigon River. According to press reports, the crew was slow to notify passengers to abandon ship, which may have contributed to the number of persons injured, including dozens of foreign tourists. Tourists who visit Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh, and want to spend the night on a boat should verify the reputation of the boat’s operator. In February 2011, a boat sinking accident resulted in the deaths of 12 people, including two U.S. citizens, and revealed weaknesses in the management of some boat companies. Please research any touring company or cruise line that you select and ask questions about safety records prior to booking. While many companies may advertise endorsements from local and regional authorities, it is currently unclear if there is a reliable inspection mechanism in place. In addition, travelers should compare pricing among companies and be wary of prices for tour packages that appear either much higher or lower than those of competitors.

At all times, you should avoid large gatherings, such as those forming at the scene of traffic accidents, as they can become violent with little or no warning. In May 2014, some initially peaceful demonstrations against Chinese actions in the South China Sea became violent and resulted in injuries, some fatal, to foreign workers and damage to property at firms perceived to be Chinese in industrial zones.

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CRIME: Pick-pocketing and other petty crimes occur regularly. Although violent crimes such as armed robbery are still relatively rare in Vietnam, perpetrators have grown increasingly bold, and both the U.S. Consulate General and the U.S. Embassy have recently received reports of pipes, knives, and razors being used in attempted robberies in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Thieves congregate around hotels frequented by foreign tourists and business people and areas such as Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Ho Chi Minh City’s Ben Thanh Market, and assaults have been reported in outlying areas at night. Do not resist theft attempts, and report them immediately to local police and to the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi or the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.

Motorcyclists are known to snatch bags, cameras, cell phones, and other valuables from pedestrians or passengers riding in "cyclos" (pedicabs) or on the back of motorcycles. Serious injuries have resulted when thieves snatched purses or bags that were strapped across the victim's body, resulting in the victim being dragged along the ground by the thief's motorcycle.

Passengers riding in cyclos (pedicabs) may be especially prone to theft of personal possessions by snatch-and-grab thieves, because they ride in a semi-reclining position that readily exposes their belongings and does not allow good visibility or movement. Some cyclo drivers have reportedly kidnapped passengers and extorted money; it may be risky to hire cyclos not associated with reputable hotels or restaurants.

The use of motorcycle taxis (known as “xe oms”) is strongly discouraged. Motorcycle taxis are unregulated and unsafe, and the helmets provided to riders offer little to no protection against injury in the case of an accident. In one instance, a U.S. citizen was sexually assaulted after hiring what she believed to be a legitimate motorcycle taxi near Ho Chi Minh City.

Keep your passport and other important valuables in your hotel in a safe or another secured location at all times. You should carry at least two photocopies of your U.S. passport. Hotels are required to obtain a copy of your passport (please refer to "Special Circumstances" below). You should immediately report the loss or theft of your U.S. passport to the local police and the U.S. Embassy or the U.S. Consulate General. You must obtain a police report from the local police office in order to apply for a replacement passport and a Vietnamese exit visa.

Exercise caution in choosing ground transportation upon arrival at the airport in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Some travelers have reported being robbed by drivers who greeted them upon arrival with a placard showing the traveler's name. If you are expecting to be picked up, ask the company for the driver’s name, phone number, and license plate number before you travel. Use only established airport taxi companies or vehicles provided by hotels. Several times in the past year in Hanoi, taxi drivers detoured travelers en route from the airport to flophouses masquerading as hotels. You should be familiar with the basics of the hotel you have chosen, such as address and neighboring landmarks. This information can be found on the Internet. We have received complaints about taxi drivers overcharging fares by using rigged meters. You should try to write down the name of the taxi company, plate number, and any other identifying information in any incident so that it can be reported to the local authorities.

Some scams target tourists. Specifically, tourists have been victims of gambling scams in the Pham Ngu Lao neighborhood of Ho Chi Minh City. This scam usually starts with a friendly invitation to someone's home to meet a relative interested in visiting or studying in the U.S. While waiting for this individual, a casual game of cards will start. Victims have reported starting the game with only a small wager but losing thousands of dollars over the course of an evening. Be aware that gambling outside of licensed casinos is illegal in Vietnam.

The U.S. Embassy has also received occasional reports of incidents in which an unknown substance was used to taint drinks, leaving the victim unconscious or at least unable to make appropriate decisions. To date, most incidents resulted in theft, but the threat of sexual assaults is real. Do not leave drinks or food unattended, and do not go to unfamiliar venues alone. You should also avoid purchasing liquor from street vendors, as the authenticity of the contents cannot be assured.

Recreational drugs available in Vietnam can be extremely dangerous. Three U.S. citizens died in 2010 from accidental overdoses of drugs. Drug suppliers will often misrepresent the substances they are selling, such as heroin for cocaine and vice versa. Penalties for possession or use of drugs of any kind are severe (please refer to the Criminal Penalties section below).

Some U.S. citizens have reported threats of death or physical injury related to personal business disputes. You should report such threats to local authorities. The U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Consulate General cannot provide personal protection services.

Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Bootleg copies are illegal in the United States and could also violate local law.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Vietnam is 113. Local police will issue a report of a crime, but generally will only initiate investigations for serious crimes, and investigations can take several months to compete. We can:

  • Replace a stolen passport.
  • Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
  • Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, contact family members or friends.
  • Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

Please see our information for victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

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Population: 97,338,579


Total Land Area: 310,070 km2


Population/km2: 313.92