Is Ho Chi Minh City Safe? Safety Tips for Every Traveler
Ho Chi Minh City is a prominent city that is a must-have on every traveler’s bucket list. But being a city full of complicated lifestyles, is Ho Chi Minh City safe?
For every tourist, safety must be the top priority. This guide will discuss how safe Ho Chi Minh City is for tourists and the most important things to consider to ensure you have a safe adventure.
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Is Ho Chi Minh City safe for tourists?
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Ho Chi Minh City is the largest and one of the best places to visit in Vietnam. In the last few decades, Ho Chi Minh City has proven its enormous potential through rapid development in many aspects. With each year passing, more and more tourists come to discover the hidden charm of this city.
While Ho Chi Minh City is rising to the top tourist hub in Asia, tourists start to wonder, “Is Ho Chi Minh safe to visit?” Despite some stories about how chaotic it is, Ho Chi Minh City is surprisingly safe for tourists. Generally, most people visiting Ho Chi Minh City do not experience any trouble at all. Therefore, you can have a whale of a time in Ho Chi Minh City, even for a short layover.
However, like any other destination around the world, some cultural misunderstandings or local scams may upset your trip. A minority of locals, for some reason, try to overcharge foreigners for transport and goods. Therefore, you should research the price in advance and learn some haggling tips.
» Read more on 24 Hours in Ho Chi Minh City: Things to do in a day
Tips for travelers
The most important safety tip is to have the presence of mind to act in times of distress. Follow the basic rules of safety and all kinds of travelers will be assured a comfortable trip.
Ho Chi Minh City for first-time travelers
First-time travelers to Ho Chi Minh City are recommended to have a clear understanding of the Vietnam visa requirements. Knowing how to apply for an e-visa or visa on arrival will save you time upon arrival and avoid waiting at the airport.
As you may have known, Ho Chi Minh City is a major hub for two-wheeler transport. Vietnam’s traffic is a bitter pill to swallow with high rates of road accidents. Always look at both sides before crossing the road! If you are afraid of road crossings, just wait for locals and go after them.
While a majority of Saigonese are amiable and helpful, some have bad intentions of cheating foreign tourists. Despite the government’s efforts, taxi scams around Ho Chi Minh City’s airport still exist. To avoid scams, you had better arrange an airport transfer or always look for a metered taxi.
As for street food lovers, Saigon street food is out of this world. The street treats in Ho Chi Minh City are tempting and safe. You can see locals polish off their dishes on plastic chairs and tables on the streets. Sidewalk eateries have become an integral part of the city’s casual cuisine.
» Read more on 10 Tips for Your First Trip to Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City for solo travelers
Ho Chi Minh City is perfectly safe for people traveling alone. However, like many other big cities, petty crimes are common. Pickpocketing is likely to occur at crowded places while phone snatching may be less observed.
It is best to find a group of travelers from your hostels to go out with at night rather than go alone. Also, don’t wander along small side streets. It is best to choose the trusted and best hotels in Ho Chi Minh City District 1 to stay in.
Ho Chi Minh City for female travelers
Ho Chi Minh City is also safe for female travelers, including those who travel alone. However, if traveling solo, always be cautious of the new people you have just met. Things like sexual harassment or abuse are not that common in Ho Chi Minh City, but don’t put yourself in a vulnerable situation.
When coming back to the hotel from a night out, you should avoid walking alone, instead, get a Grab. Try to stay in the crowds and not get drunk.
It is generally fine to wear shorts and a tank top. However, you should never wear clothing that is too revealing when visiting religious sites, like pagodas and temples.
» Read more on Vietnam Travel Tips: Know Before You Go
Ho Chi Minh City for LGBT+ travelers
Compared to many other Asian countries, Ho Chi Minh City is generally LGBT+ friendly. A thriving gay scene has been developed in Ho Chi Minh City in the past few years.
When you are around the city center, the significant presence of LGBT friendly bars and clubs can make your trip super fun. You could check out Tipsy Unicorn or Saigon Outcast and many more gay destinations in Ho Chi Minh City. They have weekly LGBT+ events organized by the community themselves.
In some areas, locals may watch you with pure curiosity, but they will not react with any hostility to LGBTQ+ travelers.
The city can be a fun and welcoming place for gay travelers, however, everyone must act modestly to avoid discrimination, attacks or harassment. It will be better if you go with a local tour guide who is comfortable with queer guests.
» Read more on LGBT+ Travel in Vietnam: What You Need To Know
Public displays of affection
Ho Chi Minh City is a modern and open city. Nevertheless, many Vietnamese are still quite conservative. The only caveat about public displays of affection in Ho Chi Minh City is to respect the local norms and customs.
Holding hands in public is acceptable, but full-on extreme public displays of affection can cause offense to some people. Intimate physical contact (whether same-sex or opposite-sex) in public is easily frowned upon. Not to worry – kissing and hugging are normal in most nightclubs on and around Bui Vien.
Safest areas in Ho Chi Minh City
Most central neighborhoods in Ho Chi Minh City are safe. Just the opposite, like most big cities, the most dangerous areas are the city’s outskirts. The following districts are most favored by foreign tourists due to their location and security.
District 1 Ho Chi Minh City
District 1 is a lively financial center and convenient to move through other districts in the city. This upscale touristy district is full of recreational activities, day and night. The roads are dotted with malls, restaurants, bars and money changers, making it a “sleepless district”.
Most of the city’s main attractions like the Saigon Nortre Dame Catehdral, Ben Thanh Market, Sai Gon Central Post Office are all located here. Another perk of District 1 is there are plenty of locals who can communicate in English. Local students are friendly and willing to speak with foreigners.
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District 3 Ho Chi Minh City
District 3 is less touristy than District 1. This residential district takes advantage of being close to the city center. There are various kinds of entertainment including coffee shops, movie theaters and fashionable bars.
District 3 is suitable for those who intend to travel on a budget. The accommodation prices and goods here are not as costly as District 1’s. Boutiques and independent stores line the streets while shopping malls are home to global brands. When your accommodation is in District 3, you can discover a lot of unique buildings, like Tan Dinh Church or the War Remnants Museum.
Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh City
Chinatown or Chợ Lớn is generally used to refer to a large area, consisting mostly of District 5, District 6 and District 11. This neighborhood is known for its historical architecture and lively trading activities.
The interesting fact about this district is that it has a large Chinese community and more pagodas and temples than other districts of Ho Chi Minh City. Therefore, if you speak either Mandarin or Cantonese, you can communicate well with the people here.
Tourists from District 1 can easily catch the bus No.1 running from Ben Thanh Market to Cho Lon Bus Station. If you visit Saigon Chinatown during the Mid-Autumn festival, you can see the colorful Lantern Street and other fun-filled activities.
Extra safety tips
Here are some extra safety tips you need to know to stay safe in Ho Chi Minh City.
• Air pollution – As a busy city, air pollution in Ho Chi Minh City is unavoidable. If you have allergies or a respiratory condition, avoid walking in the streets during rush hour. Carry a pollution mask if you need.
• Child street sellers – Don’t be surprised to see young children selling lottery tickets or souvenirs in Ho Chi Minh City. Although you really want to help then, the money doesn’t always go to them but the scammers. It’s best to walk away and not engage in conversation to ensure basic safety.
• Essential travel apps – Remember that Google Maps may help you find way to the best eateries on the side streets. Google Translate is helpful when you are about to ask locals for directions. As for taxis and public transportation, consider Grab and Bus Map.
» Read more on Essential Apps for Traveling to Vietnam
When you finally decide to book a tour and hit the city of Ho Chi Minh, you will see it has so much to offer. Ho Chi Minh City is safe to travel and have fun. Your time will be full of adventure and exciting things to do. Hopefully, this blog post will help you make your Ho Chi Minh City trip run a little smoother and more enjoyable.