Practical guide

Health and safety in Vietnam

Vietnam is a safe country for visitors: violent crime against tourists is rare. The real risks are traffic, petty theft such as bag snatching, and the usual stomach upsets. Drink bottled or filtered water, take care crossing the road and arrange travel insurance before you go.

Is Vietnam safe?

Yes. Vietnam has little violent crime against tourists, and most trips pass without incident. The UK and US governments both name theft and road accidents as the main concerns, not assault. A few ordinary precautions cover most of the risk.

In cities, take care in crowded places such as markets, night streets in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 and tourist sites. The usual rules apply, alone or not: keep your drink in sight, and know the address of where you are staying.

Petty crime and bag snatching

The common crime is theft from the street. Thieves on motorbikes snatch bags and phones from people walking close to the kerb, and pickpockets work crowds in Saigon and Hanoi.

  • Carry your bag on the side away from the road, and across your body.
  • Don’t hold a phone out near the kerb while you read a map.
  • Leave your passport in the hotel safe and carry a copy.
  • Lock your room and use the safe for cash and cards.
  • Withdraw cash at ATMs inside banks or malls in the evening.

Cash scams are mostly small: a meter that jumps, a price that changes at the end, a “special” fare. Agree the price before you get in, or use a booked car with a fixed price.

Road safety

Roads are the honest risk. The National Traffic Safety Committee counted 18,601 traffic accidents and 10,491 deaths in Vietnam in the year from 15 December 2024 to 14 December 2025. Most of those hurt are on motorbikes.

  • Don’t rent a motorbike unless you have ridden one before. Check that your licence and insurance cover it.
  • A helmet with the strap done up is the law and the best protection.
  • Crossing the road: walk at a steady pace and don’t stop or run. Riders steer around you.
  • Motorbikes use pavements when traffic is heavy, so look as you walk.
  • On buses and in cars, wear a seatbelt in the back as well as the front. Night buses have a worse record, so day travel is better on long journeys.

When you pick a car with a driver, ask the same questions you would of anything that carries your family. Does the seatbelt work? Is the driver calm, with little horn and no phone in his hand? Is the car in good condition, with child seats if you need them? Those are the standards we hold our own drivers to on private transfers from Saigon. For the road conditions around the city, see traffic in Saigon.

Food, water and ice

Don’t drink tap water. Use bottled or filtered water for drinking and brushing your teeth. Ice in cafes and restaurants is normally made from purified water at a plant and delivered, so it is fine in most places. Street food is generally safe when it is cooked fresh in front of you and busy.

To lower the risk of a stomach upset:

  • Eat where locals are queuing and the food turns over.
  • Wash or peel raw fruit, and be careful with salads in quiet places.
  • Wash your hands before eating, or carry hand gel.
  • Pack oral rehydration salts. A pharmacy (nha thuoc) sells them cheaply.

Vaccines, mosquitoes and heat

The US CDC (page updated 25 August 2026) recommends routine vaccines to be up to date, plus hepatitis A, typhoid and hepatitis B for most travellers, and Japanese encephalitis for long stays or rural activity. Ask a travel clinic well before you go.

Malaria is limited to rural areas, with rare cases in the Mekong and Red River deltas. The cities and beach resorts have no malaria risk, but dengue is a year-round risk, with outbreaks every few years. Repellent and long sleeves in the evening are the defence.

The heat is the other health issue. The south is hot all year, and March to May is the hottest period, so drink water, wear a hat and rest at midday. See the best time to visit Vietnam for the seasons.

Hospitals, pharmacies and insurance

Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have international-standard private hospitals, and many doctors have trained abroad. Outside the big cities, an emergency room may be a long way off, and treatment is paid for upfront. Pharmacies are everywhere and staff can recommend medicines for common complaints, but take any prescription drugs with you in the original packaging.

Take travel insurance that covers medical treatment and evacuation, and, if you ride a motorbike, check the policy actually allows it. A serious illness or a motorbike crash can mean a bill of thousands of dollars and an evacuation to Singapore or Bangkok. Keep the policy number and the 24-hour assistance number on your phone.

Emergency numbers: police 113, fire 114, ambulance 115.

Natural hazards and the weather

Typhoons and floods affect the coast from about June to December, mainly in the north and the centre. The south is hit much less often. If there is a storm warning, flights and ferries stop first; check your airline and ferry operator, and leave margin before an international flight. The rainy season guide explains the months by region.

Smaller things worth knowing

  • Keep dong in small notes for taxis and street food. The money guide explains the notes.
  • Carry a copy of your passport and your insurance details.
  • Air quality in Hanoi and Saigon can be poor on some days. If you have asthma, bring your inhaler.
  • Dress modestly at temples, and don’t photograph military sites.

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FAQ

Questions travellers ask us

Is Vietnam safe for tourists?

Yes. Violent crime against visitors is uncommon, and the US and UK governments both describe petty crime as the main concern. Bag snatching from motorbikes, pickpocketing in crowds and overcharging are the usual problems. Road accidents are the biggest real danger, mostly involving motorbikes, so avoid riding one unless you are experienced.

Is it safe to drink tap water in Vietnam?

No. Drink bottled or filtered water and use it to brush your teeth if you have a sensitive stomach. Ice in restaurants and cafes is normally made from purified water at a factory, and most visitors have it without trouble. Hotels provide bottled water in the room.

Do I need vaccinations for Vietnam?

The US CDC recommends being up to date on routine vaccines and, for most travellers, hepatitis A and typhoid, plus hepatitis B and Japanese encephalitis for longer stays or rural trips (CDC page updated August 2026). See a travel clinic four to six weeks before you leave.

Is there malaria in Vietnam?

Malaria occurs in rural areas only, with rare cases in the Mekong and Red River deltas, and not in the big cities or beach resorts such as Nha Trang. Dengue, spread by day-biting mosquitoes, is the bigger concern in towns. Use repellent and cover up at dawn and dusk.

What is the emergency number in Vietnam?

Police are 113, the fire brigade is 114 and an ambulance is 115. Operators may not speak English, so ask your hotel to call or have a Vietnamese speaker help. Save your hotel's address in Vietnamese on your phone.

Is it safe to take taxis in Vietnam?

Established metered taxi companies and booked cars are generally fine. The risks are unmarked taxis, rigged meters and unlicensed drivers. Booking a car ahead with a fixed price removes the argument and tells you who the driver is.