Is Vietnam friendly to tourists? Things you should know about Vietnam

“Is Vietnam friendly to tourists” is always among the most asked questions when it comes to traveling to Vietnam. It’s undeniable that Vietnam has unique natural landscapes, rich culture and long-lasting history. However, is it a safe country to travel and what’s the general attitude of the Vietnamese towards foreigners? Let’s seek the answers for all of these questions with Sao La Tours.

Is Vietnam friendly to tourists?

Generally speaking, Vietnam is a quite safe and friendly country for tourists all around the world. Here are the reasons to back up this statement:

• Vietnam’s political system is single party, which contributes to stabilizing the political situation of the country.

• Tourism is one the of the most important sectors for Vietnam, and the Government is trying their best to promote Vietnam’s tourism by establishing many preferential policies for foreigners.

• The safety of foreign tourists is always prioritized by Vietnam’s authority.

• The natural disasters in Vietnam are not extremely devastating and you can easily avoid them by choosing the right period of time to travel (usually from February to April).

• The chance of a terrorist attack is very low in Vietnam.

• Violent crime is rarely reported in Vietnam.

If you’re planning to visit Vietnam, rest assured that you will likely have a very safe and memorable trip. The Vietnamese are very friendly and hospitable, there’s hardly any racial discrimination and you’ll be welcomed with warmth everywhere you go.

Is it safe to travel in Vietnam? Are there any risks while visiting Vietnam?

Based on the above information, it’s unquestionably that Vietnam is one of the safest countries in the world to travel. Nevertheless, there are certain risks that you need to be aware of while you’re in Vietnam.  

Crowded streets

Crossing the roads might be quite scary, especially if you’re in the big cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Don’t be too afraid when facing lots of vehicles on the street. Just remain calm while watching all motorbikes, cars, buses etc. and walk slowly until you reach the other side of the road.

Fraud and scam

In Vietnam, you may encounter fake companies that take after the name of famous brands. For example, travelers can find many tour companies called “The Sinh Tourist”, but only one of them is real.

Aside from fake travel agencies, you might get overcharged by taxi drivers whose cars have been equipped with modified meters. Some street vendors or bus assistants may try to scam you by returning a smaller amount of money than the one you should actually get. If you don’t have much experience, it’s important to do careful research or travel with a local tour guide.

Pickpockets and thieves

One of the most common problems in Vietnam is pickpocketing or robbery. There are also some reported cases of stolen luggage at the airport. The most useful tip is to keep a close eye on your belongings and keep your valuables at a safe place.

Hygiene food safety

Vietnamese food is always highly appreciated. However, you should be careful about food safety in Vietnam. Street food is more likely to be spoiled as it might not be prepared carefully or get damaged by the hot temperature. It’s recommended to have some medicine with you at all times in case of diarrhea. Try to eat at restaurants instead of eateries on the side of the roads.

Are Vietnamese people friendly? Vietnamese people's characteristics

The Vietnamese are warm-hearted and friendly

In general, the Vietnamese are friendly, warm-hearted and inviting, especially toward foreign tourists. If you do a quick research on the internet, you can easily come across many positive comments about the Vietnamese. Many travelers say that they get help from the locals everywhere they go without having to ask for it.

The Vietnamese locals always greet foreigners with a broad smile and even the people who don’t know how to speak English still try their best to help. When you’re in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, some young adults or students may want to approach you for English practice.

Other things you should know about Vietnamese people

Although Vietnamese people can be friendly, overall they’re still quite reserved. It’s not easy for the Vietnamese to open up about themselves if you only meet them a couple of times. Language barriers and cultural differences also make it more difficult to communicate with the locals. It’s important to be patient in case you want to get to know more about a Vietnamese person. As mentioned above, there are still scammers in Vietnam. If you’re not careful, you might be a victim of over-pricing or other common scams.

Hopefully the information above is enough to answer your question: “Is Vietnam friendly to tourists”. Vietnam is a safe and friendly country with hospitable people, stable political situation, rare violent crime and almost no chance of terrorist attacks. Don’t be hesitant to contact Sao La Tours to have your trip well-planned by our travel experts.