Vietnam Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Vietnam
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Normal Precautions
Updated December 16, 2024
Vietnam recorded 1.5 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2011, a rate that is low by global standards. That places Vietnam #126 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Asia average of 2.0 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (1.3 per 100,000 in 2001, 1.5 today). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Vietnam at Level 1 of 4: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Homicide Rate
1.5 /100k
Safety Rank
#70 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 1 of 4
Data Year
2011
Homicide Rate Trend (2001-2011)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (1.3 per 100,000 in 2001, 1.5 today). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Vietnam Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Vietnam:
Reissued after periodic review without changes. Exercise normal precautions in Vietnam. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Vietnam. If you decide to travel to Vietnam: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X/Twitter. Review the Country Security Report for Vietnam. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel. Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
Vietnam Population & Demographics
Population of 100,987,686, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vietnam safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Vietnam at Level 1 of 4 (Exercise Normal Precautions). The homicide rate of 1.5 per 100,000 is low by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Vietnam?
Vietnam has an intentional homicide rate of 1.5 per 100,000 people (2011, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #126 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Vietnam?
Vietnam is currently at Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Vietnam compare to other countries?
Vietnam's homicide rate of 1.5 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Asia average of 2.0.