If you are asking “Is Vietnam safe?”, the quick answer is yes. Millions of visitors cross every 12 months, and most come home with nothing worse than a craving for banh mi. Smartraveller rates Vietnam at stage one, its lowest risk stage. That method “exercises ordinary safety precautions”, the identical advice it offers for many famous destinations.
Still, “safe” doesn’t mean “no hassles”. Vietnam has its very own quirks, from chaotic traffic to a few strict local laws. Here’s what Australians ought to understand before they e book.
The Quick Answer
- Violent crime: Rare for travelers.
- Petty theft: The most common hassle, especially in large towns.
- Traffic: The biggest normal chance.
- Scams: Annoying, but normally small.
- Laws: Some guidelines fluctuate sharply from Australia’s, and a lack of understanding won’t help you.
Petty Crime: Watch Your Phone and Bag
Bag and call snatching is the primary crime visitors report, and it is most common in Ho Chi Minh City. Thieves once in a while seize bags from passing motorbikes.
A few habits make a large difference:
- Carry your bag at the side, far from the road.
- Keep your cellphone in your pocket whilst you’re standing close to the kerb.
- Don’t wear a bag with a skinny strap across one shoulder.
- Leave your passport within the resort secure and carry a photocopy or photo of it.
Most guests never have an issue; however, those steps take no effort.
Traffic: Vietnam’s Real Hazard
Crossing the road in Hanoi or Saigon feels terrifying most of the time. Thousands of scooters float around you like water. The trick is easy: walk slowly and progressively, and do not stop or dash. Riders will steer around you if you drive predictably.
Hiring a scooter is a special story, and it’s where many Australians get into hassle. Smartraveller reminds travellers that Australian licences and global driving permits aren’t recognised in Vietnam, and you also need a Vietnamese licence to ride motorcycles of 50cc or greater. If you’re fined, your insurer will in all likelihood deny your claim. If you crash without a valid licence, you may face clinical payments and not use your cover.
My recommendation: use Grab for motors and bikes with a driver, and skip the apartment scooter. It’s reasonably priced, and you’ll keep away from the most important chance of the ride.
Common Scams (and How to Dodge Them)
Scams in Vietnam are, in most cases, minor; however, they are able to sour a day. Look out for:
- Taxi tricks: Meters that run fast or “broken” meters. Use Grab, or a famous taxi logo like Mai Linh or Vinasun.
- Motorbike taxi pricing: Agree on the fee earlier than you get on.
- Street providers: Fruit dealers may additionally pile a pole on your shoulder, then demand a photo charge. Smile, say no thanks, and keep walking.
- Overpriced menus: Check fees before you order, specifically in tourist regions.
Having small notes of Vietnamese dong helps, as it stops “I do not have change” disputes.
Local Laws Australians Should Know
This is where travellers on occasion get stuck.
Drugs. Vietnam takes drug offences seriously. Smartraveller warns that you may be charged for using drugs or testing positive for them, even if you took them outdoors in Vietnam. Don’t take the threat, and don’t bring something for all people else.
Passports and visas. Check the modern-day access policies before you e-book, as necessities alternate. Smartraveller is the best place to confirm them, and you can join updates on your travel dates.
Unexploded ordnance. Landmines and unexploded ordnance still exist in parts of Vietnam. If you are trekking off the principal traveller routes, stick to marked paths and go with a local guide.
Health: Food, Water and Air
Street food in Vietnam is among the best in the world, and most travellers devour it without problems. A few sensible guidelines assist:
- Choose busy stalls with high turnover. A queue of locals is a great sign.
- Stick to bottled or filtered water, and skip ice if you’re uncertain where it came from.
- Pack simple gastro treatments and rehydration salts.
- See a travel doctor 6 to 8 weeks before you go away to check your vaccinations.
Air quality is also worth a mention. Smartraveller warns that air pollutants are a good deal higher in Vietnam, mainly in the most important towns. If you have allergies or another respiratory condition, pack your medicine and don’t forget a mask for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Is Vietnam Safe for Solo Women and Families?
Solo female visitors commonly feel safe in Vietnam, particularly in tourist areas like Hoi An, Hanoi’s Old Quarter, and Da Nang. The normal precautions are to practice. Avoid walking on my own overdue at night time in unlit areas, and watch your drink in bars.
Families do properly right here too. Locals are very friendly toward youngsters, and resorts in Phu Quoc and Da Nang are very family-friendly. Just carry car seats if you want them, as they are no longer standard in taxis.
Travel Insurance Is Non-Negotiable
You should purchase travel coverage for any remote places experience, and Vietnam isn’t any exception. Make sure your policy covers medical charges, sanatorium care, evacuation, and trip cancellations. Read the fine print on motorcycle cover, due to the fact that many regulations exclude it or require a legitimate neighborhood licence.
When to Go
Vietnam stretches an extended way north to south, so the climate varies a lot. The United States’ first top season runs to March, and the subsequent famous duration begins in July. Broadly, the north is best in spring and autumn, the centre is driest from roughly February to August, and the south is most effective from December to April. Typhoon season can have an impact on the central and northern regions in the later months, so take a look at forecasts before you finalise dates.
Should You Book Vietnam Holiday Packages?
If that is your first trip, Vietnam vacation packages are really worth a serious look. They won’t suit every traveller, but they clear up many of the issues above:
- Transfers are looked after. You avoid the airport taxi hassle.
- Guides deal with the logistics. That’s useful in busy towns and on journeys like Ha Long Bay or the Mekong Delta.
- Accommodation is pre-checked. You may not end up in a dodgy hotel because the pictures are not accurate.
- Internal flights and trains are booked. Vietnam is lengthy, and a Hanoi-to-Saigon ride takes careful planning.
If you choose freedom, pick a package deal that covers flights and motels and leaves your days open. You can explore on your own and now have the fundamentals locked in.
When you examine options, check what is included. Look at the resort brand-new, whether or not food and transfers are included, the cancellation phrases, and whether or not there may be a nearby guide if something is going wrong. Browse Vietnam holiday packages from Australia with EaseOnTrip, and you may evaluate itineraries, costs, and inclusions in one location.
Final Thoughts
So, is Vietnam safe for Australian travelers? Yes. It’s welcoming, cheap, and easy to experience if you take the standard precautions. Guard your phone, keep away from hiring a scooter without a legitimate licence, agree on fees before you experience, and take drug legal guidelines seriously.
Check Smartraveller earlier than you move, and again near departure, due to the fact that advice can change. With a bit of preparation, you may spend more time enjoying pho and wandering lantern-lit streets than getting annoyed.