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
Safety Guidance for Vietnam
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated July 17, 2025).
Crime
Crime in Vietnam is rated high. Exercise vigilance and the same commonsense security precautions you would in any major metropolitan city in the United States. Violent crime against foreigners is rare; however, petty crimes, such as theft, bag grabs, and pickpocketing occur regularly, especially in crowded areas and tourist locations. Typically, there is a rise in petty crime during the Christmas and Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday seasons, including during the day and in well-lit areas. Motorcyclists are known to snatch bags, cameras, cell phones, and other valuables from individuals riding or walking on the street. If you are targeted by thieves, do not resist, and report the incident immediately to local police and to the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi or the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. Keep a tight hold on bags as you enter and exit vehicles and as you walk around.
Drugs
Recreational drugs available in Vietnam can be extremely dangerous and can result in death. Drugs sold in Vietnam may be fake, synthetic, or laced with toxic ingredients undetectable to the buyer. This includes nitrous oxide balloons widely available in nightlife establishments. You should also avoid purchasing liquor or cigarettes from street vendors or strangers, as the authenticity of the contents cannot be assured.
Victims of Crime
Vietnam’s local equivalent of an emergency line is 113. In the event you are a victim of a crime, local police will issue a report of a crime, but generally will only initiate investigations for crimes they determine serious, which do not always equate with U.S. standards. Investigations can take several months or even years to complete. While the overall situation is improving, some police have asked for bribes, ostensibly to support local police efforts or to facilitate investigation of a crime. If you are involved in a situation where a police officer is soliciting money, contact American Citizen Services at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General. See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas . We can: Help you find appropriate medical care. Assist you in reporting a crime to the police. Contact relatives or friends with your written consent.
Domestic Violence
U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy or Consulate General for assistance . Note that local authorities take a different attitude towards domestic violence cases and are hesitant to get involved in cases involving foreigners. Vietnam has very limited infrastructure to support victims of domestic violence.
Tourism
The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage .
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.