Vietnam General Advice

In any type of crisis situation, the most important thing to do is stay calm. Your country’s embassy abroad is usually your best resource when things go wrong; registering with that embassy upon arrival in the country is often a good idea. The government offices listed in the Travel Advisories box can provide information on the services they offer their citizens in case of emergencies abroad.

While in Vietnam, you are subject to the laws of the country, regardless of your nationality. Discussions about government issues are strongly discouraged, especially if your opinion is negative or critical. Photographing military and government buildings is not permitted. In general, always ask permission before taking photographs, particularly in minority areas. Travel into some minority villages (especially in the Central Highlands) is difficult because it requires a “special permit,” which often translates to “bribe.” This can potentially lead to legal problems, so be sure to check out the situation thoroughly with locals and other tourists whenever possible. The phone numbers and locations of local police are included in each town heading, but you may not want to involve the police if you can avoid it. Be prepared to deal with inquisitive police who may want to check your pockets for no apparent reason. If you are harassed by the police, stay calm and be patient—they probably won’t bother you beyond rifling through your belongings.

Police corruption has decreased over the past few years as a result of increased government pressure; police officers face severe penalties if convicted of extorting money from foreigners. However, officials and officers still sometimes look to supplement their income, and you might well be asked to pay a suspicious-sounding tax or fine at least once in Vietnam. It makes more sense to pay than to make a fuss and subject yourself to the time-draining caprice of Vietnam’s maddening governmental bureaucracy. If you pay with alacrity, the amount probably won’t come to much. That said, never assume you’re being asked for a bribe unless specifically petitioned for money—offering an unsolicited bribe can get you in a lot of trouble.

Drugs And Alcohol

Penalties for the use, possession, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict. Drugs are accessible and offered frequently to foreigners in much of urban Vietnam, but do not get involved. Be firm in saying “no” and walk away. Until 2005, the US State Department had considered Vietnam a center for drug trafficking, but the Vietnamese government has taken a series of actions in the last decade to virtually eliminate its opium production. Vietnam has been working to strengthen drug-related legislation and has therefore been hardening enforcement—including the arrest (and occasional execution) of foreigners smuggling drugs. Alcohol is legal, although driving while intoxicated is not legal and is highly punishable.

Prostitution

If you are male, you will be approached and fawned over by prostitutes. A lot. Be prepared to say “no” many, many times, and never accept a ride from a female motorbike driver—she’s not just offering the xe ®m. The sad fact is that prostitution, though illegal, is a major source of tourist revenue in Vietnam. This does not mean that a great number of people are in Vietnam for the prostitutes, but those who are can be drained of vast sums of money by the gangs of toughs that invariably come with the deal. In addition, the health risks involved and the simple illegality of prostitution persuade pretty eloquently against it.

Specific Concerns

Natural Disasters

Travelers should be aware of weather conditions whenever possible. Severe flooding during the rainy season (May to October everywhere but the central coast, where the “dry” season is March to August) can affect travel and safety conditions. Flooding is common in the Mekong Delta and along the Red River. Roads and bridges can be damaged to the point of prohibiting travel, particularly in central Vietnam during the rainy season. Visitors to the Northwest Highlands should be especially careful of traveling in bad weather due to dilapidated road conditions.

Monsoons. Monsoons are severe tropical storms (equivalent to “hurricanes” in the Atlantic) with very high winds. They occur between April and May in the north and from June to November south of Hu\, with the season peaking between August and October. If there is a monsoon, move inside, keep away from windows, and stay informed on the movement of the storm.

Demonstrations And Protests

Recent protests and clashes between ethnic minorities and the government in the Central Highlands have rendered that area slightly unstable. Be sure to check the local news to stay updated on demonstrations and police action taking place if you plan on traveling there. Violence against foreigners is extremely rare—most conflicts are domestic. Still, foreign government officials are often prohibited from visiting these areas, so if anything goes wrong, you may be left stranded.

Terrorism

Although there have been no incidents of terrorism in Vietnam recently, there has been an increase in terrorist activity in Southeast Asia, particularly in Bali and Jakarta, Indonesia. The governments of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the US advise travelers to exercise caution in large public spaces like bars, major sights, and places of worship, particularly those frequented by tourists and expats. The box on travel advisories lists offices to contact and webpages to visit to get the most updated list of your home country’s government advisories about travel.

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More Safety And Health in Vietnam

Personal Safety Pre-Departure Health Staying Healthy