1. Home
  2. Vietnam Safety Guides
  3. Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam · Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City Safety: Phone Security, Taxis & Safe Districts

Ho Chi Minh City is energetic and dynamic. The primary safety concern is drive-by smartphone and bag snatching by thieves on scooters, particularly along sidewalks in District 1.

83/100
Safety Score
Low Risk
Risk Level
Back to Vietnam Safety Hub

Safety Score Breakdown

Ho Chi Minh City safety profile across key traveller risk categories.

Solo Female Safety85/100
Night Safety78/100
Public Transit82/100
Scam Risk68/100

Transit tip: Use reputable taxi companies like Vinasun and Mai Linh, or use Grab app rides to ensure metered or upfront pricing.

Emergency Contacts

Save these numbers before you arrive. Calls are free from most local phones.

Police
113
Medical / Ambulance
115
Fire
114

Common Scams to Avoid

Recognise the pattern, decline firmly, and walk away.

Scooter sidewalk drive-by phone snatching

Fake taxi company clone vehicles

Cyclo price inflation upon arrival

Safe Areas

Neighbourhoods and districts recommended for first-time visitors.

District 1District 3Thao Dien (District 2)Phu My Hung (District 7)

Areas to avoid or exercise caution

Bui Vien Walking Street very late at nightQuiet side alleys after dark

More cities in Vietnam

City-by-city safety scores, scams and emergency contacts.

Visa & entry requirements for Vietnam

See nationality-by-nationality visa rules, passport validity and fees for travelling to Vietnam.

View Visa Guides

Plan this trip safely with DheeVoy

Get real-time safety alerts, verified entry rules, and offline emergency access in one travel companion app.

Start Planning Free

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions travellers ask most.

Last reviewed and verified for 2026. Always check your government's latest travel advisory before departure.

Plan and Book Your Trip to Ho Chi Minh City

DheeVoy has partnered with trusted travel providers to help you book every part of your trip. We earn a small commission on purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you.

🏨

Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City

Compare and book hotels with free cancellation on most rooms.

Search Hotels →

*Sponsored — affiliate link

✈️

Flights to Ho Chi Minh City

Search and compare flights from hundreds of airlines.

Search Flights →

*Sponsored — affiliate link

🚗

Car Rental in Ho Chi Minh City

Compare car hire deals from local and international providers.

Find Car Rentals →

*Sponsored — affiliate link

🎫

Tours in Ho Chi Minh City

Book skip-the-line tickets, guided tours and local experiences.

Browse Tours →

*Sponsored — affiliate link

🛡️

Travel Insurance

SafetyWing covers medical emergencies abroad from $56/month — recommended for Ho Chi Minh City.

Get Covered →

*Sponsored — affiliate link

📱

eSIM for Ho Chi Minh City

Stay connected from day one — no SIM swap needed. Activate before you fly.

Get eSIM →

*Sponsored — affiliate link

Affiliate Disclosure: DheeVoy partners with trusted travel providers. Links marked with * are affiliate links — DheeVoy earns a small commission if you make a purchase. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps us keep DheeVoy free to use. We only recommend services we consider genuinely useful for travellers.

Related Travel Guides & Resources

Explore more DheeVoy guides — visa requirements, safety briefings, eSIM deals and travel resources for destinations worldwide.