Boats on the Red River in Hanoi

Is Vietnam Safe To Travel Alone? What You Need To Know

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Vietnam is truly an amazing place to travel, live, or visit. The country has caught the attention of many travelers as they have discovered Vietnam’s allure. I have lived in Vietnam for many years and have traveled throughout the country.

Vietnam is a very safe place to travel alone. But with any country you visit, you should know a few things about Vietnam and how to ensure you are safe during your travels. We will give you our tips of how to stay staff in Vietnam during your time and travels in this amazing country.

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How To Be Safe In Vietnam During Your Travels

Seeing the sights and tasting the flavors of Vietnam is on many people’s travel bucket lists. From exploring Halong Bay to feasting on banh mi in Ho Chi Minh City, there is much to explore in this diverse country.

However, travelers must ensure they take all necessary measures to stay safe while abroad – especially in a new and unfamiliar place like Vietnam!

A vietnamese woman riding a bicycle

Here are some of my tips to ensure you remain safe during your travels to Vietnam:

Keep your belongs secure in Vietnam

With any travel, you need to keep an eye on your belongings. Thieves are always out looking for people they can cheat you or rob. It would help if you took precautions with your personal belongings.

I always use a backpack as I feel this is safer than a purse. If you have a purse, have a zipper on it so the robbers cannot just reach into it and take your money. I also always have two wallets. One with my credit cards and larger cash can pull out when I need it for a more significant purchase.

I will always hide and secure this wallet somewhere in the backpack that is hard for anyone to reach in and find. I also have a smaller wallet with cash in it that I use for smaller Also expending for small expenses; I have a zipper pocket on my backpack where I put my small money for taxis and other small expenses.

I would suggest that every traveler consider getting themselves a perfect anti-theft backpack. I like a brand called Pacsafe. I like them because their backpacks and bags do not look and feel like an anti-theft bag. You can view their entire collection by clicking here.

There are snatch-and-grab robberies in Vietnam.

Vietnam has a lot of snatches and grabs robberies. This is especially true for motorcycles. That is why you usually see the Vietnamese with a purse strapped securely around them or a backpack that will not come off easily. If you are on a motorbike, you must secure your belongings properly. Most motorbikes in Vietnam have a hook on them that can be locked.

Robbers are known to come up beside someone on a motorbike, grab a bag that is not secure, and drive off. Or if you are walking down the street and you put your bag down for a moment, they may ride up, grab it and ride off.

Be aware of this, especially in areas with many foreigners or tourists. Many of these robbers patrol those streets looking for their next victim.

Keep belongings locked and safe in Vietnam.

Always keep your belongings locked and safe. Invest in a travel lock. Lock up your suitcase if you put it under a bus or on the train. I had heard of instances in Asia where people would get under a bus when the bus was traveling and open up the suitcases to look for valuables.

I had a friend who put 5,000 USD cash in a suitcase under a bus, and by the time he reached Hanoi, the suitcase was there, but the cash was gone.

Also, if you have valuables in a hotel, you can lock them in a suitcase. I even do this when I am traveling in the United States, as you never know what could get lost. I think if you have a lock, then use it.

If your hotel in Vietnam has a safe, use it.

Not all hotels have a hotel safe, but if you have a safe, use it to put your valuables, extra cash, and credit cards or ID that you will not use on your trip. When traveling, I never carry my entire wallet with me.

For example, I will pull out things like my US Driver’s License, credit cards I do not use, and other IDs I do not need. There is no reason to carry these things that you do not need, which could get stolen. If you get robbed, you will still have some ID and credit cards.

Use a reputable taxi company or use Grab Taxis in Vietnam

In Vietnam, there are many taxi cab companies. I have used most of taxi companies at one time or another. The major issue I have had is that some off-brand taxi companies may change their meters to pay double or triple what the fare should cost.

That is why if you ask your hotel to get you a cab, they may call a cab and have you wait for a taxi they have called. The reason is they may not trust the other taxi cab companies.

Grab is another alternative, and it is often cheaper than a taxi. But make sure you get in the correct Grab car, not just any car, even if a driver tries to stop to see if you want a ride. We did this once, and it did not end very well, as the driver wanted a lot more money than what should have been the normal rate. Stay safe and use a reputable company or Grab.

You can download the Grab App from this link onto your phone. You can even order a Grab motorbike or share a ride on Grab. I personally use Grab quite a bit as I usually find it easier than a taxi as the amount to be paid is set before you get in the car, so if the driver decides to go a longer route, it would not matter.

Motorbikes or bikes will get stolen if you do not lock them properly in Vietnam.

If you decide to rent a motorbike or bicycle, it will get stolen if you do not lock it up properly. That is why throughout Vietnam will find certain places to park your bikes or motorbike, and they will give you a tag; you may also need to pay a bit of money. This is usually very secure and the best place to park a bike or motorbike.

As a word of caution, do not lose the tag they have given you, or you may have a hard time to get the motorbike or cycling out again. Most places that give out these tags will check them very carefully.

Never flash around cash in Vietnam.

Do not flash your cash around. This is just common sense, but this is also one reason I pointed out earlier in the article that I had several wallets or never took my wallet out to pay for small pocket change.

Many robbers will roam the tourist areas or check out the ATM”s and see who has a lot of cash on them. So it is best to be careful when you take cash out of an ATM, look around the area, check that no one is watching you, and then put the cash away and do not flash it around.

Have a photocopy of your passport and visa in case your passport gets lost or stolen in Vietnam

If your passport gets stolen or lost, it would be wise to have a photocopy or a photo of your passport and visa. This will make things easier for you when you must report this to the police and the embassy.

Whenever you stay at a hotel in Vietnam, they will ask you for your passport to take a copy and register you as a guest. This is a normal procedure in Vietnam.

They need this to register your visit. Sometimes if you come in late at night, they may ask you to keep it overnight. I had never had a problem when they had to keep it overnight. They are doing this because all foreign guests must be registered with the proper authorities.

Vietnam is a safe place to visit, but you need to watch and check your personal belongings like any other place. The main crimes against foreigners in Vietnam are petty. Foreigners should take care of their personal belongings, especially when they are in a tourist area.

North Vietnamese Flag

Other Information About Safety In Vietnam

Seeing the sights and tasting the flavors of Vietnam is on many people’s travel bucket lists. From exploring Halong Bay to feasting on banh mi in Ho Chi Minh City, there is much to explore in this diverse country.

However, travelers must ensure they take all necessary measures to stay safe abroad – especially in a new and unfamiliar place like Vietnam!

Is Vietnam safe for female travelers to travel alone?

I have met a lot of women who are traveling to Vietnam alone. I have also traveled alone in Vietnam and have never felt in any personal danger. But with all kinds of travel, you must be careful about your personal belongings’ safety.

Is Vietnam safe for families to travel to?

Vietnam is safe for families to travel. There are many families with children of all ages who are traveling throughout Vietnam. But with all the things you should watch your children, do not allow them to wander off independently. Also, make sure they keep their belongings secure.

Listen To Our Podcast About Whether It Is Safe To Travel Alone In Vietnam. Below or By clicking here.

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Vietnam Travel Visa: What You Need to Know Before You Go

Visitors coming to Vietnam must organize and look at a Vietnam travel visa before entering Vietnam. There are several ways to obtain a Vietnamese visa 1) through the Vietnamese Embassy, 2) online through an agent, or 3) a visa at the border. Vietnam also offers some visa-free exemptions in some circumstances and for some nationalities.

You can learn more by reading Vietnam Travel Visa, What You Need to Know Before You Go by clicking here.

Is Vietnam Really Safe To Travel Alone? What You Need To Know

Vietnam is a very safe place to travel alone. But with any country you will visit, you should know a few things about Vietnam and how to ensure you are safe during your travels.

To learn more, you can read our blog on Is Vietnam Safe To Travel Alone? What You Need To Know by clicking here.

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