Is Vietnam Safe to Travel?

I often receive this question from my clients who are considering their first trip to Vietnam, and the answer is a resounding YES. Vietnam is an incredibly safe country to travel to, in fact, it is often hailed as one of the safest travel destinations. Violent crimes are extremely rare, and the most severe punishments typically revolve around drug-related offenses. That does not mean you can get away with murders though of course. The point is the Vietnamese government exhibits zero tolerance towards drugs. Guns are also completely illegal in Vietnam. In fact, I'm not even certain if low-ranking police officers are equipped with real firearms or simply use replicas. (Let's not put this theory to the test, though!) That's how uncommon guns are in Vietnam. Throughout my entire time living there, I never encountered any incidents or heard stories involving firearms. And unsurprisingly , one of the primary concerns that my friend has before deciding to send her kids to America for studying is the terrifying occurrence of mass shootings.

Furthermore, kidnappings are also exceptionally rare. Just picture a population that appears frail and ready to be swept away by a gentle breeze, without any guns involved? pulling off a successful kidnapping under those circumstances would be an absurd challenge, to say the least!

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that petty theft is not uncommon in Vietnam. Instances of phone snatching and purse grabbing can happen swiftly if you're not vigilant, so it's important to remain aware of your surroundings when walking on the street. Taking precautions and staying cautious will help ensure your safety.