Vietnam crime · Crime in Vietnam
All Destinations | Europe | Asia | North America | Africa | South America | Oceania | Hotels
Crime in Vietnam
Crime in Vietnam
While many safety warnings in travel guide book are no more than scaremongering, touristy areas in Vietnam are really a place worth more precaution. Violent crime towards foreigners remains low, pickpockets and motorbike snatching has found their home especially in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Nha Trang. Thieves on motorbikes are ready to snatch bags, mobile phones, cameras, and jewelery off pedestrians and other motorbike drivers. Avoid dangling your bags along traffic roads. Talking to your mobile phone next to car road and putting your bag on the front basket of a motorbike will tempt a robber. Pham Ngu Lao is the buffet place for all first witness accounts and all veterans seem to have certain experience on it. It could happen days and night, in a crowded road with hundreds of drivers. Locals suggest that they won't kill you but will take all your money. It is true as long as you don't hold your belongings too tight. Reports that a foreign tourist got crashed to death when she tried to drag back what was robbed has been heard.
Also infamously common are thefts on popular beaches. Never leave your bag unattended on beaches.
In hotel rooms, including five star ones, reports that belongings are stolen have been heard occasionally. There is no need to be overly paranoid because most tourists do not get hurt, though basic precautions are definitely needed.
Avoid arguments with regular people. Vietnamese are in general aggressive people compared to locals in surrounding countries. It is not uncommon for small disagreements to escalate into violence. This does not generally happen with staff, but is more reserved for other Vietnamese patrons or passersby. Though they may not do the same in your country, as a foreigner, Vietnamese expect you to act a certain way in theirs. This being said, it is not your country, and you should respect the general law of the land. Most of these arguments can be avoided easily by showing general courtesy, and tolerating cultural differences that may seem rude to you. Show special caution when drinking with Vietnamese men.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Vietnam
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Vietnam - updated May 2024
SAVE up to 75% on Last Minute deals! Search for discount Vietnam hotels, motels, apartments, hostels, guest accommodations and vacation resorts. Book now and pay at the hotel. Instant email confirmation!
>>> SEARCH FOR DEALS <<<
WHERE TO TRAVEL NEXT IN 2020
Vietnam Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.