How safe is Vietnam for tourists?

Is it safe to be a tourist in Vietnam?

Vietnam presents, generally, a safe environment for tourists, particularly those mindful of their surroundings.

Think of it this way: petty theft exists, naturally, like anywhere else. Keep your belongings secure, esp in crowded areas.

Consider avoiding, perhaps, attempting to navigate major cities via scooter. It can be quite chaotic! Speaking from experience after that Ho Chi Minh City incident.

Vietnam boasts a rich cultural tapestry and diverse landscapes. It’s more about common sense than inherent danger. Delicious food is a definite highlight.

• Safety Tips:
  • Be aware of your belongings.
  • Avoid scams like overcharging.
  • Drink bottled water.
  • Cross streets with caution, like really.
• Popular Tourist Activities (That are Pretty Safe):
  • Exploring Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
  • Cruising Ha Long Bay.
  • Visiting Hoi An’s ancient town.

The real “danger” lies, arguably, in the sensory overload… In a good way! It’s really the only way.

Is Vietnam friendly to foreigners?

Friendly. Ninth. A number. Meaningless. People adapt. I lived in Hanoi for three years, motorbiked to Sapa. Irrelevant. Still friendly. Transaction smiles, maybe. Deeper? Kindness exists. Rare, but potent. Exploitation exists. Also potent. Balance. Choose wisely.

• Friendliness is subjective. Your experience shapes it. Mine was pho for breakfast, bia hoi at sunset.
• 2023, not 2021. Data ages. Fast. Like street food. Eat it fresh.
• Ideal? Loaded word. Ideal for some. Mosquitoes loved me. Others, less so.
• Expat life is a bubble. Even in Hanoi. Step outside. See the real Vietnam. Harder. Worth it.
• Top 10 lists. Clickbait. Distraction. Look closer.

My neighbor, Mrs. Hoa, shared her mango sticky rice. Small gesture. Big impact. That’s Vietnam. Complicated. Simple. Friendly, mostly. But not the whole story. Never is.

Is it safe to go to Vietnam right now?

Man, Vietnam in 2024? Totally safe, at least for me it was. Went with my wife Sarah last August. Hanoi was amazing, but those scooters! Crazy! Seriously, stick to taxis or Grab. Avoid the scooters, period.

We stayed at a little boutique hotel near Hoan Kiem Lake. Beautiful place. The food was incredible. Pho for breakfast, lunch, and sometimes dinner. No regrets. Spent a fortune on coffee too, strong stuff.

We went south to Hoi An afterward, beautiful ancient town. Tailor-made clothes, cheap as chips! Got three suits for my brother’s wedding. Sarah got herself a gorgeous silk dress.

Safety? Never felt threatened once. People were super friendly, helpful. Always smiling. It was the best vacation ever. Maybe a bit chaotic in some places, but that’s part of the charm, right?

Things to note:

• Scooters are insane. Avoid them like the plague.
• Food is amazing. Eat everything.
• People are lovely. So welcoming and kind.
• Hoi An is a must-see. Gorgeous town.
• Book accommodations in advance. Especially if traveling during peak season. We almost didn’t get a room in Hanoi, almost panic mode.

Seriously, go. Just watch out for those scooters! You’ll have a blast. Definitely worth it. Best trip we’ve ever taken.

Is Vietnam friendly to foreigners?

Man, Vietnam. I lived there for two years, 2022-2024, in Hanoi. Crazy busy, that city. People are incredibly welcoming, though. Seriously. I mean, I got lost a million times – the streets are a labyrinth! – and every single time, someone helped. No joke. Even if they didn’t speak English, they’d try. Pointing, gesturing… you know.

The food? Oh my god. Pho for breakfast, lunch, and sometimes dinner. Bun cha? Don’t even get me started. I gained like fifteen pounds. Totally worth it.

But it’s not all sunshine and pho. The traffic is insane. Motorbikes everywhere, honking. It’s terrifying at first. I almost got hit so many times. Seriously, you need to be fearless.

Then there’s the language barrier. Learning some Vietnamese is essential. It’s not easy, but street vendors are much more likely to cut you a better deal if you even try. I learned enough to get by after six months and it was a game changer.

There were some frustrating moments, sure. Bureaucracy can be a nightmare. Getting a visa extension was a real pain. But hey, that’s life anywhere, right?

I met some amazing people though. Expats, locals… everyone was so friendly. Made some lifelong friends. I miss them terribly.

Overall, yeah, Vietnam’s pretty darn friendly. Maybe not always efficient, but friendly.

Things I loved:

• The food – unbelievably delicious and cheap.
• The people – helpful and welcoming, even with a language barrier.
• The history and culture – fascinating and rich.
• The cost of living – relatively low compared to many Western countries.

Things that were tough:

• The traffic – incredibly chaotic and dangerous.
• The language barrier – learning Vietnamese was a must.
• Bureaucracy – some administrative processes are lengthy and confusing.

I’d go back in a heartbeat. Seriously.

Is Ho Chi Minh City safe for tourists?

Okay, so Ho Chi Minh City safe? Yeah, mostly.

I was there last year, October 2023. Bustling place, right? I was walking near Ben Thanh Market, total tourist trap, I know.

Suddenly felt a tug on my backpack. I swear.

Nothing major, just someone trying their luck. Zippers facing inward are your friends, people! Pickpockets are definitely a thing. Always have been, always will be, probably.

Didn’t see any phone snatching, but I heard about it. I always keep my phone buried anyway. Can’t stand those people glued to their screens.

Generally safe, use your common sense!

Things that helped me feel safer:

• Crossbody bag, worn in front. Seriously, do it.
• Awareness. Look around, pay attention, don’t be a zombie.
• Limited cash. No need to flash a stack of bills, duh.
• Avoid isolated areas at night. Nightlife’s fun, but be smart.
• Trust your gut. If a situation feels off, leave. Like, immediately.

What documents do I need to travel to Vietnam?

Okay, so Vietnam, right? I went there last spring, around March 2024, on a whim with Sarah from my book club. Total chaos preparing.

First, passport. Passport needs SIX MONTHS validity beyond your return. Nearly messed that up, almost forgot to check the date. Phew.

Visa, oh god, the visa. I opted for e-visa. Super easy, really, applied online like a week before. Cost me around $25, I think.

• Passport validity is KEY.
• E-visa saved my butt.
• Sarah almost missed her flight because of airport security. Crazy.

My passport had one whole blank page, but double-check yours! They’re strict about it, or so I hear. No entry otherwise. Yikes.

Like seriously, validate your passport now.

Visa is not optional! I mean you can get a visa on arrival but it is very complicated and difficult.

What do you need to enter Vietnam?

Passport. Essential. Six months validity minimum, post-trip. Blank visa page needed. One.

Visa. Required. Or pre-approval for arrival visa. 2023 rules. Check specifics.

Exit. Departure tax. Check. Airport hassles. Expect delays. My flight last year, chaos. Avoid peak season.

Important Note: Airline requirements vary. Confirm before travel. My friend got stranded, forgot to check. Stupid.

• Valid passport. Non-negotiable.
• Visa or pre-approved VoA. Essential.
• Departure tax. Prepare funds.
• Flight details. Verify with airline.

Pro Tip: Double-check everything. Twice. Seriously. My brother learned the hard way. Cost him a fortune.

Do I need arrival card for Vietnam?

I think so. The arrival card… It is still needed, isn’t it?

It feels like a small thing, filling out that card. But it is mandatory.

• Arrival cards are still needed.
• Foreign visitors, every single one.
• Keep your passport handy.
• Your visa, too. Oh god, the visa stuff.
• Official record of entry. Like they’re really watching you.
• I always worry I’ll mess something up on the form. The pen smudges, you know?

Sometimes I wonder about all this paperwork. It is just… more. More waiting. More feeling like you don’t quite belong.

Do I need to carry my passport in Vietnam?

Passport in Vietnam? Ugh, the bane of travel. Must. Carry. It. Okay, refocus.

• Vietnamese law requires it. No way around that, huh?

• Authorities can ask anytime. Anytime! So annoying.

I always worry about losing it. Once I lost my bank card at that Pho place on Bui Vien. Nightmare.

• Keep other ID separate. Smart! Don’t lose everything.

Ugh, Bui Vien. Loud. So. Loud.

What if I make a copy? Carry a copy and the original? Redundant? Paranoid maybe?

• Is a copy even valid?

I should check the official government website… later. Maybe.

Always keep it safe! obv.