It surprised me that some of the 10 safest cities in Vietnam are not small places.
The number of people living in a location does not always indicate that it will have the most trouble.
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10 Safest Cities in Vietnam
1. Hoi An
The estimated overall Hoi safety index is 84.19.
That is 22% safer than in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city, which is also determined to be one of the safest Vietnam cities to live in or visit.
It is known for having a peaceful atmosphere, which would be fine with me.
It also has a multitude of coastal areas where you can relax and enjoy watersports.
I found out Hoi An has a “strong air quality.”
That is a pleasant surprise for a city that has a population of 32,757 as of 2022.
It is a quiet place too.
That’s okay most of the time, but what if you want to go out at night once in a while?
Apparently, it does not have much nightlife.
It is a good place to enjoy nature though.
2. Can Tho
Can Tho is the fourth-largest city in Vietnam, and it has a 75.53 safety rating that is not always achieved by metropolitan areas.
It is a regional transportation hub, and it has the VCA (Can Tho International Airport).
It is not difficult to travel to and from Taipei and Bangkok here.
Things you can experience here include the rice paper-making community and visiting the floating markets.
You can also take boat rides and witness people riding camels, and this area has a vibrant nightlife.
Because of all that it has to offer, especially the transportation options, I would consider this location.
The estimated 2021 population is 1,250,792.
3. Da Nang
With a safety index of 71.62, I would feel safe living here if I wanted to go to Vietnam.
This Central Vietnam government district has more than enough people in it to have a social life.
It has about 1,374,562 people living in it as of 2021.
I have heard Da Nang described as a clean and organized city.
One of its best outdoor spots is the Han River beach, and it does have some restaurants and nightclubs.
Employment opportunities may attract you here if you are looking to relocate.
Da Nang is also home to three major cultural sites, including the My Son Sanctuary, and the ancient localities of Hue and Hoi An.
If you decide on Da Nang as a destination, you would be fascinated with the Son Tra Peninsula, Ba Na Mountain, Non-Nuoc art stones, and the Tuy Loan village.
4. Vung Tau
The safety index of Vung Tau, Ba Ria is approximately 70.44.
Nothing probably beats witnessing this peninsula city in person.
The images I saw do not do justice, but they do give an idea of Vung Tao looks at night with the bright lights.
It offers economic stability and culture but it also features forests, rivers and lakes, and a stretch of coastline.
If I were to visit or live in Vung Tau, I would pick a hotel near the beach if I have the means for it.
I think this city’s safety rating is impressive considering how busy it is.
As of 2018, this area had 527,025 people living in it.
Vung Tau’s famous historical sites include the Linh Son Temple, Christ statues, and the Nho Mountain lighthouse.
Have you ever heard of the White Palace?
That is also here.
5. Da Lat
Da Lat is known for its landscape of floral valleys and pine forests, and it sits between 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) above sea level.
For a city of 231,225, 66.74 is an acceptable safety index rating.
This Lam Dong province city is known for its romantic getaway spots.
It also has rows of villa homes, and its villages are rich with French architectural history.
6. Hanoi
The Vietnam capital city of Hanoi has a safety rating of 62.
This one seems to have more to do with it than some of the other safe cities in this country.
It is reportedly not as modern as Ho Chi Minh City, however.
Hanoi has more than enough restaurants, bars, shopping malls, and parks.
In addition, you probably would not have a hard time finding a job here.
7. Nha Trang
The city of Nha Trang in the Khanh Hoa has gained popularity because of its 6-kilometer (3.7 miles) beach.
It also has some of the bluest, clearest water you will find in Vietnam, and it does not deal with the traffic congestion that larger cities struggle with.
That sounds excellent to me.
Despite the sparseness of people on the roads, it does not have as high of a safety index as I expected.
It rates at 56.76 and only has about half the number of people as in other cities (535,000 in 2018).
This proves that more people do not always add up to less safety.
It is the drugs and bribery that rate high here.
It is the two types of offenses that ruin its safety index.
Other crimes, such as muggings, vandalism, or theft, rate moderate to low in occurrence levels.
8. Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)
It’s not the safest overall, but Ho Chi Minh City does have some less-dangerous neighborhoods.
Resident Riaz Qureshi says to try Districts 1, 3, 7, and some sections in District 2.
Apparently, the first district is known for its hotels.
It also has museums and restaurants and low-cost tours and is the city’s primary business district.
Theo Dien Ward is the best spot to visit in District 2, by the way.
The HCMC safety score comes in at 46.52, which is better than not being safe at all.
For a place that has 8 million people living in it, I am surprised it is even this safe.
9. Ha Long
Ha Long is the capital city of Quang Ninh.
Its overall risk is rated low.
Just be careful when taking a taxi, and still use caution wherever you go.
If just visiting, I recommend the Bai Chay section.
That is where most of the hotels and restaurants are.
If I were looking to live in Ha Long, I would more than likely settle in the established business district where the markets also are.
You will find most of this in the Hon Gai Section of Ha Long.
The Bai Chay Bridge connects The Bai Chay and Hon Gai.
Ha Long has one of the largest seaports in Vietnam.
10. Kon Tum
Kon Tum is the other city besides Ha Long that I could not find a safety score for that is considered safe.
It is at least moderately walkable too, according to Retirepedia.
If you were going to become an ex-pat here, you might want to first take up an interest in their local indigenous history before you move here.
Getting acquainted with this area will help you feel sure about settling here because it consists of mostly people who were born here.
It is home to the 1913 Montagnard Church.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Vietnam
Take heed when the government warns you not to travel to certain locations.
The U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Vietnam issued a Level 1 health-related warning on August 1, 2022.
This means taking the usual precautions and is the lowest-risk warning typically given by the Embassy.
As of 2022, you can travel to most Vietnamese locations.
If you do come here, beware of government security warnings, such as violent crimes and terrorism.
Use these five safety tips too.
1. Choose trusted taxi providers.
Research your transportation options before you arrive.
If possible, stick with group public transportation options rather than taking a one-on-one ride with a stranger.
Most people in the country only use either the Mai Linh or Vinasum taxi companies.
2. Watch yourself when crossing the street.
Some cities have heavy moped usage.
Look carefully because they could appear out of nowhere.
Unless you are certain it is safe to cross, do not.
3. Do not go alone with anyone you don’t know.
It is not uncommon to seek transportation from a private van.
However, be careful at all times going alone with people you do not know.
It is best to meet new friends in public places until you get to know them.
4. Stay aware of your surroundings.
You will not always have to deal with pickpocketing in Vietnam.
Nevertheless, it is not a totally crime-free place.
Still watch your back, and do not stare at people passing by you for too long.
5. Do not flaunt belongings in public.
This goes without saying in most locations.
Still, it is always wise to remind you not to flaunt cash, mobile devices, and other valuable belongings in public.
That could increase your chance of mugging.
Vietnam Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Vietnam Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
What cities should you avoid in Vietnam?
There’s no “whole” city that you should avoid.
You might need to avoid certain neighborhoods at night.
For instance, you should not go near the Apocalypse Now bar in HCMC located on Thi Sach Street alone after dark.
You also may not want to enter Dong Du, Dong Khoi, or Hai Ba Trung at night, especially alone.
Is Vietnam a safe place to live?
It is if you know how to protect yourself.
Crime is mostly associated with public transportation, but you should take caution.
Are there hurricanes in Vietnam?
Vietnam does experience hurricanes violent rainstorms and floods.
The best time to visit certain locations, such as Can Tho is December through April.
During that time, you can avoid the monsoon season.
I’ve had an incredible time in Vietnam’s safe cities like Phu Quoc and Phan Thiet. The relaxed atmosphere and the overall safety measures in these cities make them wonderful choices for great and enjoyable travel.
As someone who has explored various cities in Vietnam, I’ve found it to be safe and inviting. Their serene environments and friendly locals create a secure setting for travelers.
Vietnam cities are not just culturally rich but also notably safe for travelers like myself. The preservation of historical sites and a peaceful ambiance add to the safety and enjoyment of exploring these cities.