Vietnam TravelThe Travel TipsSafety and Security

Safety and Security

Vietnam is one of the safest countries in Asia, and probably in the world. It has a stable government, the level of civil unrest is insignificant, crime levels are very low in comparison with most countries, and natural disasters affecting visitors are rare.

Crime against the person is not generally a problem in Vietnam - the penalties for harming a foreigner for local Vietnamese are severe. The last known fatal attack occurred in 1996, and the culprit was arrested, tried and executed in a very short time. However, as anywhere else, it pays to take care, especially after dark.

Cyclos, that ubiquitous form of transport in Saigon and Hanoi, should never be taken after dark, and care should also be taken when taking a motorcycle taxi at these times, especially if you are a woman.

Theft is unfortunately a bigger - and growing - problem in Vietnam. It should always be borne in mind that the average Vietnamese is very poor by western standards, and foreigners represent unimaginable wealth to many.

Caution should be exercised in urban areas, as drive-by bag or jewellery snatch and grabs are becoming increasingly common. Begging is problem, especially in downtown Saigon, and visitors can be sure that they will be hassled at some point or other during their stay in Vietnam.

Bear in mind that most child beggars are in fact just a part of sophisticated criminal gangs and actually receive little or none of your largess.

Prostitution is also a growing problem in major towns, and proposals from the back of a motorcycle should be studiously ignored, especially if they offer you a 'massage'.

Scams to occur in Vietnam but are generally not as sophisticated as in Thailand for example, but do beware of offers that seem to good to be true - they will prove to be just that.

A final word of warning - do not carry proscribed drugs and narcotics into, out of or around Vietnam. Narcotic smuggling is taken very seriously here, and is punishable by death.

Health

Providing they take basic commonsense measures, very few people have health problems in Vietnam. Malaria is now a problem in only a few remote areas, and mass immunisation programmes have minimised the incidence of infectious diseases. In all cases, wise travellers will check with their local medical specialist, even if only to confirm that recommended vaccinations are up to date.

It is best to assume that drinking water is risky throughout Vietnam. Bottled water, soft drinks and beer are freely available and cheap. Vietnamese food is nearly always cooked from fresh ingredients, so getting an upset stomach is probably less likely in a street side cafe than in an international restaurant that re-heats pre-prepared food.

The major health dangers are the effect of the sun and tropical heat. European skin will begin to burn very quickly on a hot day even if the sky is overcast: reputable high UV protection barrier lotions and cream are essential. Sunstroke is also a high risk: a wide brimmed hat that will shade the back of the neck as well as the eyes is better than a baseball cap. Heavy sweating caused by high humidity drains the body's water supply rapidly. Drink plenty of water to replenish it and thus avoid unpleasant dehydration - several litres per day is generally recommended.

Health facilities are good in the big cities, limited in other urban areas and almost nonexistent elsewhere. If you are taking medication, bring a supply with you - a wide range of drugs are available in city pharmacies, but the selection is by no means comprehensive.

In the streets

Vietnamese traffic drives in the right (mostly) and has a somewhat cavalier regard for road safety. Pedestrian crossings, where they exist, are almost invariably ignored, so visitors need to exercise care. The best technique is to wait for a lull in the traffic, then walk steadily and purposefully across the road - oncoming bicycles and vehicles will move to one side to avoid a pedestrian. Hopping about trying to avoid the traffic makes an accident more likely.

In the cities, and especially in Ho Chi Minh City, petty crime can sometimes be a problem. To avoid difficulties, don't:

• leave personal belongings unattended - put them somewhere safe or keep them with you
• carry a shoulder strap handbag or camera bag - a bag with a handgrip will deter motorbike bag snatchers
• carry large amounts of cash or vital documents - nearly all hotels have secure storage
• count money while standing at an ATM - put it in a safe place immediately and check it elsewhere

Most crime in Vietnam is low-level and opportunistic, and is uncommon in comparison with major cities elsewhere.