Is Ho Chi Minh City safe to visit right now? (September 2026)

Travel advisories for Vietnam

What the advice says

• The US State Department places Vietnam at Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions, and this rating is country-level rather than specific to Ho Chi Minh City.
• The UK FCDO notes that violent crime against foreigners is rare, but petty crime such as theft and pickpocketing, including bag-snatching by thieves on motorcycles, occurs regularly in crowded and tourist areas.
• There is a higher risk of petty crime during the Christmas and Tet Lunar New Year seasons, so extra care with belongings is worth taking during those periods.
• The FCDO warns of drink spiking, sexual assault, and harassment linked in some cases to unlicensed taxi drivers, and recommends buying your own drinks, keeping them in sight, and using official taxi-hailing apps for pre-arranged transport.
• There have been cases of methanol poisoning from alcoholic drinks in Vietnam, including in licensed bars and hotels in tourist areas, and even small amounts can be fatal, so seeking urgent medical attention for symptoms after drinking is advised.
• Political dissent and protests are not tolerated in Vietnam, and the FCDO advises avoiding all protests and demonstrations and being cautious about criticizing the government.
• Solo travelers, especially after dark, should stay aware of surroundings, avoid accepting food or drink from strangers, and save their accommodation location on a map app in case they need to find their way back.