Hcmc Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Hcmc.
Healthcare System
HCMC has a two-tier healthcare system with public hospitals serving locals and international private hospitals catering to expatriates and tourists. Public facilities are often overcrowded with limited English-speaking staff, while private international hospitals offer Western standards of care with English-speaking doctors, though at significantly higher costs.
Hospitals
Top international hospitals include Family Medical Practice, Columbia Asia Saigon, FV Hospital, and Raffles Medical. These facilities accept international insurance and provide 24/7 emergency services. They are located primarily in Districts 1, 2, and 7. Costs are high by Vietnamese standards but reasonable compared to Western countries.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies (nhà thuốc) are abundant throughout HCMC and many medications available by prescription in Western countries can be purchased over-the-counter. However, counterfeit medications exist, so use reputable pharmacies in major districts. Guardian and Medicare are reliable pharmacy chains. Pharmacists often speak basic English in tourist areas.
Insurance
Travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage is strongly recommended. While not legally required, medical costs at international hospitals can be substantial. Ensure your policy includes medical evacuation, as serious conditions may require transfer to Bangkok or Singapore.
Healthcare Tips
- Carry a card with your hotel address and emergency contacts in Vietnamese
- Keep copies of prescriptions and bring sufficient medication from home, as specific brands may be unavailable
- International hospitals require payment upfront or insurance guarantee before treatment
- Drink only bottled or purified water to avoid waterborne illnesses
- Consider vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Japanese Encephalitis before traveling
- Dengue fever is present year-round; use mosquito repellent containing DEET, especially during dawn and dusk
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Thieves on motorbikes snatch bags, phones, and cameras from pedestrians or other motorbike riders, sometimes causing injuries. This is the most common crime affecting tourists in HCMC.
Pickpockets operate in crowded areas, markets, and on public transportation. They often work in teams to distract victims while stealing wallets, phones, and passports.
HCMC's chaotic traffic with millions of motorbikes poses the greatest physical danger to visitors. Pedestrian crossings are often ignored, and traffic rules are loosely followed. Accidents involving tourists are common.
Travelers may experience stomach upset from unfamiliar food, different hygiene standards, or contaminated water and ice. Most cases are mild but can disrupt travel plans.
HCMC's tropical climate with high heat and humidity year-round can cause heat-related illness, especially for visitors unaccustomed to the conditions or engaging in outdoor activities.
Tourists renting motorbikes may face scams including fake damage claims, bike theft by rental company accomplices, or confiscation of passports. Police may also fine tourists for license violations.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Unlicensed or dishonest taxi drivers use rigged meters that run fast, take unnecessarily long routes, or claim the meter is broken and demand inflated flat rates. Some drivers also shortchange passengers or claim they don't have change.
A friendly person points out that your shoes are dirty or 'accidentally' spills something on them, then offers to clean them for free or a small fee. After the service, they demand an exorbitant price, sometimes with accomplices appearing to intimidate payment.
People approach tourists with clipboards or booklets claiming to collect donations for deaf/disabled children, orphanages, or other causes. They show fake signatures and donation amounts. Most are not legitimate charities.
Some restaurants add extra items to bills, charge different prices than the menu, or include unexpected service charges or taxes. This is more common in tourist areas with picture menus.
Friendly locals strike up conversations and recommend their 'family's' gem shop or tailor, claiming special deals or that gems can be resold for profit back home. Items are overpriced and often poor quality.
Scammers pose as plainclothes police or officials claiming to check for counterfeit money, drugs, or passport issues. They may demand to see your wallet or passport, then steal money or demand bribes.
Some bars, particularly those with attractive hostesses who invite tourists inside, serve drinks at extremely inflated prices not listed on menus, or add 'lady drinks' to bills without clear consent.
When receiving change, especially in taxis or small shops, you may be given counterfeit Vietnamese dong notes mixed with real ones. The 500,000 VND note is most commonly counterfeited.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
Money and Valuables
- Use hotel safes for passports, extra cash, and valuables when not needed
- Carry only what you need for the day; leave credit cards you won't use in the safe
- Distribute money in multiple locations on your person
- Use ATMs inside banks or shopping malls rather than street-side machines
- Notify your bank of travel dates to avoid card blocks
- Keep emergency cash separate from your wallet
- Take photos of important documents and store them in cloud storage
- Be discreet when handling money; don't flash large amounts of cash
Transportation
- Use Grab app for taxis and motorbike taxis (xe ôm) for transparent pricing
- Always wear a helmet when on motorbikes; it's required by law
- Avoid renting motorbikes unless you're experienced with chaotic Asian traffic
- When crossing streets, walk at a steady pace so drivers can predict your movement
- Take photos of taxi license plates before entering
- Avoid unlicensed taxis; look for company names and phone numbers on vehicles
- Agree on prices beforehand for any non-metered transport
- Keep bags between your feet or on your lap in taxis, never on the seat beside you
Accommodation
- Choose accommodations in Districts 1, 2, 3, or 7 for safer, more tourist-friendly areas
- Read recent reviews before booking
- Ensure your room has a safe and working locks
- Keep your room locked even when inside
- Don't open doors to unexpected visitors; verify with reception first
- Know the location of emergency exits
- Keep hotel business cards with address in Vietnamese for taxi drivers
Communication
- Purchase a local SIM card for data and local calls (available at airport and phone shops)
- Download offline maps of HCMC before arriving
- Learn basic Vietnamese phrases for emergencies
- Save important contacts including hotel, embassy, and emergency numbers
- Have addresses written in Vietnamese for taxi drivers
- Consider downloading translation apps like Google Translate with offline Vietnamese
- Register with your embassy upon arrival for safety updates
Food and Drink
- Try street food but choose busy stalls with high turnover
- Avoid raw vegetables and fruits you can't peel unless properly washed
- Drink only bottled water; check seals are intact
- Be cautious with ice in drinks at questionable establishments
- Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer before eating
- Start with milder dishes if you're not used to spicy food
- Be aware that 'Vietnamese coffee' is very strong and may contain sweetened condensed milk
- Avoid bushmeat and exotic animal products
Cultural Awareness
- Dress modestly when visiting temples and pagodas (cover shoulders and knees)
- Remove shoes before entering homes, temples, and some shops
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially monks and ethnic minorities
- Avoid touching people's heads or pointing feet at people or Buddha images
- Show respect at war memorial sites; avoid inappropriate behavior
- Learn basic greetings; Vietnamese appreciate efforts to speak the language
- Bargain politely at markets but remember prices are already low
- Public displays of affection are generally frowned upon
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
HCMC is generally safe for women travelers, including solo female travelers. Vietnamese culture is relatively conservative, and violent crime against women is rare. However, women should take standard precautions against petty theft, be aware of unwanted attention in tourist areas, and exercise caution with transportation, especially at night. Many women travel solo in HCMC without incident.
- Dress modestly to show cultural respect and avoid unwanted attention; cover shoulders and wear longer shorts or pants
- Use Grab app for transportation rather than flagging random taxis, especially at night
- Avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas or empty streets after dark
- Be cautious about accepting drinks from strangers; watch your drink being prepared
- Stay in well-reviewed accommodations in safe districts (1, 2, 3, or 7)
- Trust your instincts; if a situation feels uncomfortable, remove yourself
- Consider joining group tours or activities to meet other travelers
- Keep phone charged and share your location with friends or family
- Be aware that some men may stare, but this is usually curiosity rather than threat
- Avoid revealing clothing in the Bui Vien backpacker area at night, where harassment is more common
- Carry a whistle or personal alarm if it makes you feel more secure
- Learn basic Vietnamese phrases for 'no' (không) and 'go away' (đi đi)
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Homosexuality is legal in Vietnam and has never been criminalized. Same-sex relationships are not illegal, though same-sex marriage is not legally recognized. There are no laws specifically protecting LGBTQ+ rights, but also no laws criminalizing LGBTQ+ identity or expression.
- HCMC is generally safe for LGBTQ+ travelers; discrimination or harassment is rare
- Public displays of affection should be minimal, as this applies to all couples in Vietnamese culture
- The city has gay-friendly venues primarily in District 1, including Thi Bar and The Lighthouse
- Hotels generally have no issues with same-sex couples sharing rooms
- Be aware that outside major cities, attitudes may be more conservative
- Vietnamese people may be curious but are usually not hostile; many are unaware of LGBTQ+ issues
- Trans travelers should be aware that understanding of gender identity is limited, though outright hostility is uncommon
- Check LGBTQ+ travel forums and apps for current information on venues and events
- While acceptance is growing, coming out or discussing LGBTQ+ topics openly may make some locals uncomfortable
- Pride events have been held in HCMC, though they're not large-scale celebrations
- Use discretion in more traditional settings like temples or when interacting with older generations
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential for visiting HCMC. While Vietnam doesn't require insurance for entry, medical care at international hospitals (which you'll likely need if seriously ill or injured) is expensive and requires payment upfront. Motorbike accidents are common, and evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore may be necessary for serious conditions. Additionally, trip cancellations, lost baggage, and theft are risks that insurance can cover.
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