I’m from Hanoi and I stayed in different parts of this city. In this article, I will share with you my opinion about safety in Hanoi including common scams, safe areas, and things to avoid.
Hanoi is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam. It is the cultural capital of Vietnam, located in the northern part of the country. It has a beautiful vibrant old quarter with lots of ancient temples, pagodas, small narrow streets and shophouses.
Hanoi has an international airport and is often known as the first arrival point for many visitors to explore north Vietnam. From this capital city, you can easily explore nature wonders in Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa, or Ha Giang.
Is Hanoi safe to visit?
Hanoi, in my opinion, is overall a safe place to visit. The city has a low rate of violent crime. It is also a generally safe city for solo travelers and safe at night, especially if you practice normal common sense.
Like many popular touristy cities, Hanoi has some common safety issues such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, overcharging, and tourist scams like taxi scams or shoe cleaner scams.
The simple rules to stay safe in Hanoi include:
- taking care of your belongings and being aware of your surroundings
- always ask for price/menu before order, check the bill before pay
- use reputable taxi or Grab to get around
- avoid walking alone at late night early morning
- say no to drug and prostitution, always keep your eyes on your drinks
- Avoid confrontations, don’t raise your voice to avoid nasty situation
- Stay in well-established hotels to avoid the risk of hotel-related scams.
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Petty theft in Hanoi
Petty theft and purse snatching can happen in Hanoi, especially in crowded areas. You should be especially cautious about these issues around the night markets, tourist attractions, old quarter, and bus/train stations.
I recommend always taking care of your belongings, using a money belt, and avoiding wearing flashy jewelry. If you become a victim of pickpocketing, try to stay calm, cancel stolen cards/documents, and report it to policies.
Road safety in Hanoi
Road safety and Trafficis probably one of the biggest safety concerns for many visitors in Hanoi. With lots of motorbikes and cars, it can be overwhelming especially for first-time visitors. Motorbike riders and pedestrians are the most common victims of chaotic traffic in Hanoi.
Crossing the road in Vietnam can be a big challenge for foreigners. You should always look carefully in both directions before crossing streets, and try to make eye contact with the drivers, they are most likely to slow down for you to pass.
If you drive a motorbike, I recommend wearing a helmet, driving on the right side of the road, not drinking while driving, and not using a cellphone while driving.
Taxi scams in Hanoi
Taxi scams are a popular issue in Hanoi, especially at the airport and popular tourist areas. To avoid this, you should alway use reputable taxi services such as Mai Linh. You can ask for your accommodation to organize transport for you or book Grab though its app.
Grab is a safe and convenient way to get around Hanoi. You can use Grab taxi, motorbike, or order food/grocery from the App. You can pay by card or cash. To avoid fake Grab, especially for those who are new to the city, I recommend always book through its official app.
DO NOT take a taxi from drivers that approach you and try to hustle you into their car. I once accepted the offer from a driver who approached me from the airport because I couldn’t find the waiting spot for Grab. I agreed on the price but it turned out I had to share the car with another passenger. When I arrived at the hotel, he gave me the wrong change. Luckily I counted it and asked him to give me the right amount.
Before getting on the taxi, you should agree on the price, or ask them to turn on the meter (in KM and make sure it starts from 0). Give the driver exactly the destination’s name and address to avoid them taking you to the wrong destination and overcharging.
Tourist Scams in Hanoi
Some popular tourist scams in Hanoi such as:
- Shoe cleaning scam. Scammers will approach you, clean your shoes before you even know what is happening, then ask for money. Just politely say no and walk away.
- Overcharging at markets. Always bargain at the markets.
- Overcharging by street vendors. Always confirm the price before buying.
- Strangers offers free rides to tourist attractions, commission-based restaurants, bars, and shops.
- Motorbike Rental Scams. Alway rent a bike from a reputable rental company, or ask for your accommodation for recommendation.
Food safety in Hanoi
Hanoi has a great street food scene. You can try many authentic dishes here like banh mi, pho, bun cha, banh cuon,… Street food in Hanoi is generally safe, but food poison and diarrhea can happen.
To avoid this food safety concern, I recommend looking for restaurants with a high turnover of customers and using common sense to choose the vendors.
Water safety in Hanoi
It is recommended to avoid drinking tap water in Vietnam. Tap water is not safe to drink. You can drink it if you boil it. But the easiest way is to buy a bottle of water from the shop. Tap water is safe for brushing your teeth and taking a shower. Ice cubes are made from tap water, so maybe try to avoid it.
Safety at night in Hanoi
Hanoi, in my opinion, is generally safe at night. However, like many places, I recommend avoiding walking alone late at night, especially in a poorly lit area and small alleyways. If you are very far from your hotel, it is best to take a Grab taxi to get to your hotel.
Hanoi’s old quarter has a curfew policy, so around midnight, most restaurants, bars, and clubs close its doors. The old city is quieter. You can be approached by drug dealers and street hookers, especially if you are traveling alone. Just say no to it, you should be fine.
Safe areas to stay in Hanoi
The safest area to stay in Hanoi for tourists, in my opinion, is the old quarter. This is a tourist-friendly area and the heart of Hanoi, making it easy to explore the city on foot. It is packed with restaurants, bars, shophouses, tour agencies, and massage shops. You can easily visit major sights such as Hoan Kiem Lake, Hoa Lo prison, and Ta Hien beer street.
For a safe stay, I recommend booking the reputed accommodations. Avoid staying in guest houses that seem suspiciously cheap. The hotel may have poor conditions and may charge you extra fees.
I had a good experience staying at several hotels and hostels in the old quarter of Hanoi. I recommend some safe places in the old town including the mid-range Rex Hotel with a beautiful rooftop area for couples and families, and the budget-friendly Little Charm Hostel for backpackers and solo travelers.
In addition to the old quarter, Tay Ho district is also a safe neighborhood to stay in Hanoi, especially for expat and long term travelers. This is a large area around West Lake, a short Grab ride from the hustle and bustle of the old Town. You’ll be close to some attractions such as Tran Quoc pagoda and Ho Chi Minh mausoleum.
Areas to avoid in Hanoi
I recommend avoiding walking alone in a poorly lit area late at night. Also be cautious at narrow alleyways. We were approached by several drug dealers and street hookers when wandering around the old quarter near Ta Hien street and Gia Ngu street after midnight. If you say no, they’ll walk away.
Air Pollution in Hanoi
Air pollution is a common problem in Hanoi. Lots of traffic and factories make the air worse. It can cause asthma and allergy symptoms. You can wear a mask if you are outside or use an air purifier in your room.
Mosquito-borne diseases in Hanoi
Mosquito-borne diseases are common health concerns in Vietnam and Hanoi. You can prevent this by using insect repellent or wearing pants and long-sleeved shirts.
Emergency number
Police: 113
Ambulance: 115
Fire: 114
Is it safe for solo travelers?
I traveled to Hanoi many times as a female solo traveler, and I personally think it is a safe city for solo travelers. But it is always recommended to practice necessary precautions to ensure your safety. These include taking care of your belongings, avoiding walking alone in poorly lit areas at night, and dressing moderately to avoid unwanted attention.
Is Hanoi safe for families with children?
Yes, Hanoi is a safe destination for families with kids. I recommend always keeping an eye on your children especially when crossing the road and eating at the places that are busy and have freshly cooked hot food to avoid food poisoning and diarrhea.
See more:
- Best Time to Visit Hanoi
- Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City
- Best Things to Do & See in Hanoi
- 2 to 3 Days in Hanoi Itinerary
- 10 Best Family-friendly Hotels in Hanoi
In my opinion, Hanoi is generally a safe place to visit and stay. The city has a low violent crime rate but there are common safety concerns for tourists such as pickpocketing, overcharging, and taxi scams.
To ensure your safety, you practice basic precautions such as taking care of your belongings, confirm the price before buying the services/ foods, check the bill before paying, and avoid walking alone late at night.