Vietnam safety 2026: real risks, theft, scams

Vietnam safety 2026: real risks, theft, scams

Vietnam remains one of the safest Southeast Asian destinations for violent crime. The real points of caution concern snatch theft in major cities, a few classic tourist scams and, above all, road safety, the actual risk of the trip.

Violent crime very rare toward tourists

Physical assaults against foreign visitors stay exceptional in Vietnam. The country is among the Southeast Asian destinations where a traveler can move around major cities at night without particular risk, with a standard level of vigilance.

Snatch theft, the main point of caution

The most concrete risk for a tourist in Vietnam remains snatch theft from a moving motorbike, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi:

• Handbags and shoulder bags snatched while passing near the sidewalk
• Phones held in hand while walking, an easy target for a slow-moving motorbike
• Areas most affected: around café terraces, crowded tourist streets, evening bar districts

Simple habit: carry your bag on the wall or shop side, never the street side, and avoid holding your phone in hand while walking near the road.

Classic tourist scams

Nothing specific to Vietnam compared to other very touristy Asian destinations, but a few classics come up regularly:

• Meter-less or rigged-meter taxis: favor the Grab app, or the recognized companies Vinasun and Mai Linh, identifiable by their livery and certified meter
• Fake guides near major tourist sites, offering unofficial services at inflated prices
• Overcharging in some very busy restaurant areas (Hoi An’s pedestrian street, Hanoi’s lake district): check posted prices before ordering

Road safety, the real risk

Dense traffic, an impressive number of two-wheelers and traffic rules applied loosely make the road the main concrete danger for a visitor in Vietnam, well beyond crime. Travelers with little scooter-riding experience in Southeast Asia should:

• Favor taxis or ride-hailing apps in dense urban areas
• Reserve personal riding for quieter areas (countryside, small mountain roads)
• Always wear a helmet, often provided with the rental
• Avoid riding at night without prior experience

New in 2026: online registration at Tan Son Nhat

Since April 15, 2026, arrivals at Tan Son Nhat international airport (Ho Chi Minh City) require online pre-registration before the flight, a measure meant to speed up immigration processing at this particularly busy airport. Check the exact procedure with your airline or consulate before departure, as the process may evolve.

Basic habits worth keeping

• Passport and valuables in the hotel safe, never visible on the street
• A copy or photo of your passport kept separately from the original
• Prices checked before getting into a taxi or ordering a dish in a very touristy area
• Checking US State Department or your own country’s travel advisories before an itinerary off the classic path

Other practical info Vietnam

• Visa: 45-day exemption for French and EU nationals
• Airports: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang
• Currency (₫ Dong): cash, cards and withdrawals
• Budget: how much to plan per day

Page written by Marie L., Southeast Asia specialist, editor-in-chief of L’Heure du Voyage. 12 years of experience, regular stays in Vietnam since 2016. Updated: July 29, 2026. Verified by 2 experts.