Is Ho Chi Minh City Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Updated On November 7, 2023
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Safety Index:
64
* Based on Research & Crime Data
User Sentiment:
72
* Rated 72 / 100 based on 5 user reviews.

Ho Chi Minh City, also commonly referred to as Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam and the former capital of the Republic of Vietnam.

It has been “officially” renamed Ho Chi Minh City following the fall of Saigon in 1975, but before that it was known as Saigon and is still sometimes called that by both Vietnamese and foreigners.

An abundance of investments and construction boom lead to a huge change in the face of the city and the construction of many new skyscrapers all over the city.

Through all that, Ho Chi Minh preserved its own identity.

To this day, tourists rush to see the shady alleys with low structure French-style buildings, elegant Notre-Dame cathedral and the magnificent pagodas.

In the evening, though, they rush to Ho Chi Minh’s famous restaurants with delicious food and indulge in its vibrant nightlife.

Warnings & Dangers in Ho Chi Minh City

Overall Risk

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Ho Chi Minh is a relatively safe city to travel to. Its main source of income is tourism, so the tourists' safety is their number one concern. The street crime is more common in cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi.

Transport & Taxis Risk

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Means of transport and taxis aren't very safe in Ho Chi Minh. Many taxis in Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi have previously installed rigged meters that charge up to 2 to 8 times more. Your best chance is taking a taxi from reputable companies such as Mai Linh and Vinasun in Ho Chi Minh. You should consult some guidebooks and travel forums before you travel to Vietnam that will prepare you for petty scams. There is also a very popular scam where the buses break down and the tour operators force people to pay considerable amounts for crummy hotels "while the bus is repaired".

Pickpockets Risk

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Pickpocketing and bag snatching is a very common issue in Ho Chi Minh, especially on the side of the roads where motorbike snatching may occur. Keep your belongings by your side at all times and try to leave all your valuables in a security deposit box of your hotel.

Natural Disasters Risk

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Natural threats include rare earthquakes and occasional typhoons (from May to January) with extensive flooding, especially in the Mekong River delta nearly every year. Vietnam is occasionally also devastated by storms and typhoons that can cause millions of dollars of damage. In case of a natural disaster, follow the instructions of local authorities.

Mugging Risk

MUGGING RISK: LOW

There are some areas in Ho Chi Minh where cases of mugging have been reported, but it is generally rare, and foreigners are rarely targeted.

Terrorism Risk

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

There is a low probability of a terrorist attack, however, they should never be ruled out so be vigilant and watch out for suspicious activities.

Scams Risk

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

There is a number of scams performed on tourists in Vietnam, such as gambling scams where, if you do venture in gambling, there is a great risk you will be scammed or ripped off or karaoke scams: since prostitution is forbidden, you can find prostitutes in various karaoke bars, which are actually one big scam and their clients often get ripped off, drink spiked and robbed. Apart from these scams, you can get overcharged by everyone: street vendors, taxi and bus drivers, hotel owners and worst of all - the police. Double-check every information and pay, or negotiate everything in advance.

Women Travelers Risk

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Sexual assaults are common in Vietnam, especially in the following cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Sapa, and Cat Ba Island. Avoid overnight trains and buses, and parts of cities that are filled with bars and clubs, since there is a higher chance of running into intoxicated people. Follow basic common sense and avoid walking alone at night and in poorly lit and secluded areas.

So... How Safe Is Ho Chi Minh City Really?

Ho Chi Minh is generally a safe city, as safe as other similar cities throughout the world.

Violent crime is rare, but lately, robberies, assaults, and harassments started occurring, often involving weapons.

However, the most common risk for tourists remains petty crime such as pickpocketing, purse snatching, and valuables theft, usually not involving violence of any kind.

One of the common issues in Vietnam is motorbike snatching. This usually involves thieves on motorbikes snatching pedestrians’ bags, mobile phones, cameras, and jewelry.

They especially target foreigners and it happens mostly in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Nha Trang, and it is a crime committed so regularly that even local Vietnamese are commonly targeted.

Also infamously common are thefts of valuables left on popular beaches. Never leave your bag or anything of value unattended on beaches.

In hotel rooms, including five-star ones, there have been reports of stolen belongings including wallets, cameras, cell phones, and jewelry, so put everything of value in a security deposit box.

Tourists should avoid fights and shouting of any kind because people of Vietnam think of shouting as an insult and in such situations, one never knows what their reaction is going to be.

As for streets, they are generally safe but some areas should be avoided, such as parts of Ho Chi Minh filled with clubs and bars that are usually filled with suspicious individuals.

Sexual assaults and robberies are more probable in these places, so be cautious and avoid these places late at night.

Avoid purchasing liquor from street vendors since they may not be authentic, and bear in mind that drugs in Vietnam can be laced with toxic ingredients and potentially fatal.

How Does Ho Chi Minh City Compare?

CitySafety Index
Ho Chi Minh City64
Halong73
Hanoi68
Melbourne (Australia)80
Montreal (Canada)81
Sydney (Australia)80
Santiago de Chile (Chile)71
Vienna (Austria)88
Hong Kong (China)70

Useful Information

Visas

Visas

All US citizens wishing to visit Vietnam will need to apply for a tourist visa and no earlier than six months before their planned departure. Your passport should be valid for at least six months past your date of return.

Currency

Currency

The Vietnamese Dong is the official currency in Ho Chi Minh. We recommend changing your money in post offices, banks or larger hotels. Airports also offer a convenient exchange rate.

Weather

Weather

Southern Vietnam is mostly dry and hot between November and April, and the rainfalls are common from June through August.

Airports

Airports

The busiest airport in Vietnam is Tan Son Nhat International Airport, located in Ho Chi Minh. It is located inside the crowded urban core of Ho Chi Minh City.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Ho Chi Minh City, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Ho Chi Minh City Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 27° C
Feb 28° C
Mar 29° C
Apr 30° C
May 30° C
Jun 29° C
Jul 28° C
Aug 29° C
Sep 28° C
Oct 28° C
Nov 27° C
Dec 27° C
Choose Temperature Unit

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High
°C
323334343432323231313131
Low
°C
222324262625242525242322
High
°F
909193939390909088888888
Low
°F
727375797977757777757372

Vietnam - Safety by City

CitySafety Index
Halong73
Hanoi68
Ho Chi Minh City64

Where to Next?

5 Reviews on Ho Chi Minh City

  1. More risks than stated

    You have your info wrong there muggings go on ALLL the time and they DO attack foreigners.

    Scams are also high and pickpockets they cut your bags open without you even noticing.

    I have lived here for 15 years. I would say don’t even bother with HCMC there are much nicer places in Vietnam

    1. You spelt “ALLL” wrong and you have not proved any of the things you have said. I did not make this but I think this is pretty shifty.

  2. Ho Chi Minh is a relatively safe country to travel to.

    Seriously? Get your stuff together. Ho Chi Minh is a CITY, not a country.

  3. Visited HCMC just over 2 years ago on a university trip, and we never had a problem. We’re originally from the UK and the locals were so friendly and polite to us! Only one person on the trip with this that I know of had his phone snatched by a guy on a bike, that’s it.. it’s a safe place to travel too.

  4. M
    Minh Le says:

    Some mistakes

    Mehhh. Some of these are correct. The some are wrong. First of all, Pickpocketing and Purse Snatching is HELLA COMMON. So common is we have to not wear jewelry (in public), purses, and we have to hide our wallets to the point that it should not be visible. Mugging is also quite high. Scams are also high. I see scammers all the time! But if your not stupid then you shouldn’t fall for it. For women travelers risk. I’d say depends where you are. If your at the sketchy areas, then it’s VERY high, but in other areas it might be ok. I still recommend Hồ Chí Minh City a visit but the information here are kinda misleading.

Ho Chi Minh City Rated 3.6 / 5 based on 5 user reviews.

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