Many who are thinking of the possibility of moving to Vietnam are faced with the same dilemma: “Is Vietnam a safe country to live in?” In the end, for better or worse, most Westerners have a perception that Vietnam is built on wartime movies like Apocalypse Now or Good Morning, Vietnam, which offer very little insight into the progress which has happened in the past 50 years.
If images of peasants fleeing from firefights in the jungle have changed your perspective on Vietnam and Vietnam, you might be shocked to discover that it’s a relatively safe place to reside in. Vietnam may provide a safer environment for you and your family than your home country.
THE CRIME RATES IN VIETNAM
While fraud and theft are not uncommon, violent crime is not a major issue in Vietnam. In general, you should not be frightened to stroll about at night in any Vietnamese city. In the worst-case scenario, you may receive unwelcome attention or solicitations from strangers, especially in tourist regions.
Prostitution and illegal narcotics are a problem in certain areas in Vietnam. It is recommended to stay clear of any participant in one of these practices.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the murder rate in Vietnam is only 1.52 per 100,000 (source Wikipedia). This puts it lower than Canada (1.76), Finland (1.63), and the United States (4.96); however, it is just above France in the United Kingdom (both 1.20).
Additionally, it is quite rare for a local Vietnamese person to murder a tourist. Accidents and suicide account for the vast majority of deaths among foreigners in Vietnam.
One of the most prevalent crimes to be cautious of in metropolitan settings is purse snatching by motorcycle-mounted robbers. Avoid going along the street with a handbag or pocketbook draped over your shoulder while facing oncoming traffic to avoid becoming a convenient target.
THE MOST COMMON SCAMS IN VIETNAM
When in Vietnam, foreigners are more likely than other groups to become victims of scams, more so than violent crimes. Here are a few of the most well-known scams:
- Taxi scams involve not using the meters, fake meters, and then taking an imitation taxi.
- Bus frauds: unannounced bus stops, fare increases, and fraudulent VIP vehicles.
- Cyclo drivers (bicycle taxis) don’t use agreed rates.
- Merchants are getting you off the hook
Newcomers to Vietnam are susceptible to currency scams. Because of all the zeros, it takes some time for the Vietnamese to become familiar with their currency. One US dollar is roughly equal to 23,000 Vietnamese Dong. As a result, banknotes of up to 100,000 VND and 500,000 VND are often encountered.
If you’re not paying attention, it’s possible to mix up VND 20,000 and VND 500 000 notes. Unscrupulous cab drivers or merchants may take advantage of this and claim you gave them a VND 250,000 note when, in reality, you handed them a VND 500,000 note.
SAFETY OF TRAFFIC IN VIETNAM
Vietnam’s safety on the road is something to be worried about. The traffic in Vietnam is frequently called “organized chaos” due to the policies of the economy that hinder the private ownership of cars. The good news is that motorcycle riders almost universally use helmets due to the severe penalties for not wearing them. Start by obtaining a Vietnam driving license if you intend to drive. You can begin by studying Vietnamese drivers’ traffic patterns on less-busy routes until you are confident enough to handle the more demanding ones. If you have never driven a motorcycle before, Vietnam is not the place to start.
Vietnamese drivers are known to use their horns frequently. A horn honk is often used to warn other drivers and to slow down at intersections. To be a good driver or pedestrian, you’ll need to get used to the constant honking of horns and know what to do when they sound. Vietnamese motorcycle riders often remove their rearview mirrors in order to make it easier to pass traffic. When passing, it is crucial to note that they have a massive blind area.
Although the roads in Vietnam can be unsafe, they’re better than the roads in Thailand. The fatalities from traffic accidents per 100,000 inhabitants are 24.5 as compared to Thailand’s 32.7. This is the fifth-highest worldwide in accordance with the World Health Organization. (Source: Wikipedia). In comparison, the death rate for most European countries is low in the single digits.
MALICIOUS CORRUPTION IN VIETNAM
The issue of corruption is very serious in Vietnam. You’re likely to experience corruption as an international when dealing in traffic enforcement. Although your experiences with traffic officers will differ between cities from one, it is possible that you could receive a bribe or a shakedown from the police in certain areas of Vietnam. Da Nang is considered to be cleaner, and the traffic officers are more polite.
EMERGENCY PLANNING
The Vietnam government was able to manage the COVID-19 crisis of 2020 with the support of the Vietnamese people. Despite having 334 confirmed cases, Vietnam had no deaths until the middle of June 2020. This was despite the fact that Vietnam borders China, which is the country that caused the global pandemic.
The nation’s earlier exposure to SARS in 2003 was among the factors it was so well-prepared for another outbreak of respiratory viruses.
TYPHOONS
Vietnam is not a region of high seismic activity in terms of natural disasters. Due to the vast extent of the Asian continental shelf above sea level, earthquakes are quite uncommon. This provides Vietnam with a substantial cushion from major fault lines.
In contrast, typhoons are more common in Vietnam. The country’s northern and southern coastlines extend for a considerable distance. This indicates that it might be in the path of both tropical storms and typhoons in the Pacific. There might be five to ten tropical storms every year in Vietnam. One to two of these storms would qualify as typhoons (equivalent power to an Atlantic hurricane).
Vietnam has extensive typhoon response experience. Nonetheless, it is prudent to be ready for any situation. Maintain a supply of water, nonperishable food, flashlights, and batteries. Moreover, a first aid kit. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, particularly between June and November. Have an evacuation plan if your city is in a typhoon’s path.
THE HEALTH AND HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS OF VIETNAM
In recent years, healthcare coverage in Vietnam has increased to about 90%. There are several high-quality medical treatments available in Vietnam, particularly in private institutions. In general, these hospitals take foreign insurance and employ English- and/or French-speaking personnel. Your options are fewer if you’re traveling to rural areas.
Most over-the-counter medicines are inexpensive and easily available at your local pharmacy. Some medications may not be available in Vietnam if they aren’t available in your country. Dengue fever and malaria, two illnesses spread by mosquito bites, are widespread in some rural areas of Vietnam. You should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, especially during the rainy season, when the risk is higher.
Air pollution is an issue in cities in Vietnam. However, it varies in each location. The central urban area in Hanoi to the North is plagued by smog all year round, whereas the coastal areas in the central region (including Da Nang and Hue) are less impacted because of the prevailing winds coming from the sea.
If you want to relocate from Hanoi to Vietnam or Ho Chi Minh City, you should consider acquiring an air purifier for your house. An ultra-compact variant that may be utilized in an apartment or a small area can be purchased for roughly 4 to 6 million VND ($170-260 USD). The interior air quality will be greatly improved, which will assist in preventing a range of health conditions such as breathing difficulties, throat sores, and itchy eyes caused by pollution. When going outside in humid weather, it is best to use an N95 pollution mask.
CONCLUSIONS
The majority of the time, Vietnam is a very safe location to live in. There are not many violent crimes, and you can stay free of most tourist frauds by knowing what to look out for. The biggest risk is unpredictable traffic that flows through Vietnam’s roads. Therefore, be extra cautious when driving and ensure you look in both directions before turning.
