Vietnam 2019 Crime & Safety Report: Ho Chi Minh City - OSAC

Vietnam 2019 Crime & Safety Report:
                 Ho Chi Minh City

This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S.
Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City.

The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication
assesses Vietnam at Level 1, indicating travelers should exercise normal precautions.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

The U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City does not assume responsibility for the professional ability
or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The American Citizen Services (ACS)
Unit cannot recommend a particular individual or establishment and assumes no responsibility for
the quality of service provided.

Crime Threats

There is considerable risk from crime in Ho Chi Minh City. Despite this, most visitors feel relatively
safe. The level of crime is comparable to other cities of similar size throughout Asia. Visitors
regularly fall victim to non-violent property crimes, which are usually non-confrontational crimes
of opportunity. Pickpocketing, purse slashing, bag snatching, and the theft of valuables is a
common occurrence, particularly in areas tourist and business travelers frequent, such as hotels,
tourist sites, public parks, and markets. Another increasingly common tactic is for a female
associate to approach a male victim on the street, grabbing and rubbing him while propositioning
him with sexual favors in order to distract the victim while picking his pockets. Maintaining an
extremely high level of situational awareness and alertness at all times is critical to avoiding
becoming a victim of this type of petty street crime.

Theft by motor scooter is a popular modus operandi whereby thieves grab bags and purses from
victims while speeding past. This approach can cause serious injury to victims if they are unable
to extricate themselves from bag straps quickly; motor scooter can drag victims behind them at
high speeds. Carrying bags on the arm opposite curbside and walking as far away as possible
from the edge of the curb can discourage potential motor scooter thieves. Smart phones are very
popular with motor scooter thieves, who snatch them from victims’ hands passing while passing.

The four to six weeks prior to the Tet holiday (Lunar New Year) typically is the peak crime period
of the year; those preparing to return to their families and villages for the holiday seek to acquire
high-value gifts and cash rapidly to satisfy traditional gift-giving requirements. During the one-
week holiday (dates vary each year), police and public security agencies remain at full operational
staffing in order to maintain peace and order in crowded public spaces, and to respond to the
increase in domestic disputes and residential burglaries of vacated homes.

Violent crime (e.g. homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping) involving foreigners remains relatively
rare.

While sexual assault of foreigners by Vietnamese citizens does not appear to be common, in
2018, there were two reports of sexual assaults involving U.S. victims. Anecdotally, several
Western consulates in Ho Chi Minh City noted an increase in reports of rape.

Residential security is generally good, as long as appropriate and adequate security measures
are in place. This includes the consistent use of good deadbolt locks, securing all man-passable
entries, and using alarms and perimeter walls and gates, particularly for those residences near
the water, which are vulnerable to river pirates. U.S. Government employees regularly report
surreptitious entry into their secured residences and associated tampering or damage of computer
and other electronic devices or hardware.

Hotel rooms are generally safe as long as you take sensible precautions, such as securing all
money and valuables, including electronic and mobile devices, in the room safe. Laptops and
mobile devices are subject to tampering; some U.S. government travelers have reported the
contents of their secured hotel room safes were obviously disturbed, although no items went
missing. For more information, review OSAC’s Report, Considerations for Hotel Security.

U.S. Consulate employees report a scam in which a caller with an African country code hangs up
without leaving a message. The victim calls the number displayed on the caller ID in an effort to
determine who called. Once the call connects, the victim’s calling card or credit card rapidly
depletes. The concept is similar to calling a pay number in the United States wherein charges to
the caller begin to accrue once the call connects.

U.S. citizens who form small business ventures with Vietnamese partners have reported threats
from their partners or employees if the business relationship deteriorates. Some foreign business
people have faced threats, vandalism, and harassment in connection with their business dealings,
but have not reported acts of physical harm.

Organized crime syndicates continue to accrue influence and power since their comeback in the
past decade. These criminal organizations focus much of their attention on drug manufacture,
sales, and smuggling; extortion schemes and protection rackets; manufacturing and distribution
of counterfeit goods; and loansharking. The U.S. Consulate has placed Xing Xing Nightclub (180
Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City) off-limits to all U.S. government personnel
due to concerns about organized crime activity.

Cybersecurity Issues

In 2018, banks in Vietnam reported detecting skimming devices attached to ATMs, as well as
cameras recording PIN code keypad entries. Despite a police request for Vietnam’s commercial
banks to install and test anti-skimming devices on ATMs, most banks have not yet done so. Most
ATMs in Vietnam use simple technologies that render these machines particularly vulnerable to
theft of cash using fake credit and ATM cards. The majority of ATM scams in Vietnam are the
responsibility of non-Vietnamese nationals. For more information, review OSAC’s Report, The
Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud.

Other Areas of Concern

While the Consulate has not declared any areas off-limits (apart from the aforementioned
nightclub), the Government of Vietnam considers certain areas of the Central Highlands bordering
Cambodia and Laos politically sensitive; these areas are still open to tourists. Avoid military
installations and camps in these areas. Foreigners must enter and exit Vietnam through a major
international land or seaport, and cannot cross overland into Laos, Cambodia, or China except at
designated international checkpoints.

Photographing military, police, or other government facilities may result in detention and
questioning, as well as the confiscation of film or photography equipment. Detention of individuals
traveling to sensitive areas and taking photographs of sensitive areas or situations has occurred.
For more information, review OSAC’s Report Picture This: Dos and Don’ts for Photography.

Transportation-Safety Situation

For more information, review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and
Overnights.

Road Safety and Road Conditions

The combination of a chaotic road system and common disregard for traffic laws makes crossing
the street and driving/riding in traffic two of the most dangerous activities in Vietnam. Police are
unable to control the burgeoning number of vehicles on the road, which includes cars, trucks,
motorcycles, and motor scooters. The number of traffic enforcement police is simply insufficient
to deal with the number of vehicles on the road.

In 2017, the city government outlawed food vendors from operating on sidewalks, which resulted
in an increase in the number of motorbikes driving at high speed on sidewalks, particularly during
rush hour. This, combined with poorly maintained sidewalks, inadequate traffic controls (i.e.
stoplights at intersections), and the common practice of using sidewalks as parking spaces for
motor scooters creates a precarious environment for pedestrians.

Vehicles, particularly city buses, do not yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Accidents involving
motor scooters are common, and a motor vehicle accident can quickly draw large crowds with
intense arguments between those involved. Drivers of cars and motor scooters alike frequently
text on their cell phones while driving, further aggravating erratic driving behaviors.

By Western standards, the comparative death toll from traffic-related accidents is high. The
leading cause of death due to unnatural causes for U.S. citizens in Vietnam is motor scooter
accidents. Although the Government of Vietnam requires that all adult motor scooter drivers and
riders wear a helmet, there are no safety standards for these helmets. As a result, the vast majority
of helmets available is substandard and provides minimal, if any, protection to the wearer. Those
planning to drive/ride motor scooters in Vietnam should use a U.S. Department of Transportation-
approved helmet.

If the passenger of a vehicle opens a car door and hits or causes injury to a passing motor scooter,
the driver of the vehicle is responsible; police will detain them and confiscated their driver’s license
for an indefinite period. For more information on self-driving, review OSAC’s Report, Driving
Overseas: Best Practices.

Public Transportation Conditions

There are no U.S. government restrictions on public transportation. There are no subway systems
in this consular district. Exercise vigilance with personal belongings on crowded intra- and inter-
city buses, both public and private.

Due to poor management, deteriorating infrastructure, and a culture of disregarding traffic signals
at crossings, railway accidents are common. The majority of fatalities occur when a train collides
with a vehicle driving on roads built illegally over train tracks. Collisions and derailments contribute
to train delays, with the majority of such accidents taking place on the popular route connecting
Hanoi with Ho Chi Minh City.

Take only marked and metered taxis. The taxi industry is unregulated, allowing each taxi company
to set its own rates. Some metered taxis use rigged meters that accumulate charges rapidly.
MaiLinh (green car with white logo) and VinaSun (white car with green and red logo) taxi
companies are two large, registered taxi companies that use fair meters. There are fake VinaSun
taxis; identify authentic VinaSun taxis by the correct telephone number painted on their sides
(38.27.27.27), uniformed drivers (white-collared button-down shirt and tie with VinaSun logo),
equipment (meter, receipt machine, and tablet for GPS next to driver), and unique taxi number
inscribed on the rear of the front headrests and prominently displayed on the exterior of the vehicle
itself. Do not patronize taxi touts (i.e. gypsy cabs), particularly at the airports, as these have been
implicated in “express kidnapping” schemes wherein they take passengers to remote areas and
threaten them until they agree to withdraw money from ATMs.

Grab Taxi is popular and safe to use where available; however, in 2017, expatriates using social
media sites popular with Westerners living in HCMC reported incidents of Grab Taxi drivers
subsequently calling, sometimes multiple times, female passengers asking to meet. When using
a ride-sharing service, ensure that the license plate of the vehicle matches that on your app.

Negotiate the fare for xe om (motor scooter taxi), pedicabs, and cyclos prior to using, and do not
take these forms of transportation at night. The Consulate is aware of reports that xe om drivers
have driven foreign women passengers at night to remote areas and sexually assaulted them.

Aviation/Airport Conditions

Ho Chi Minh City’s airport, Tân Sơn Nhất (SGN), meets ICAO standards. Some flights, particularly
those of budget airlines, do not board at the gate, but instead use buses to transport passengers
from the gate to tarmac.

Take only licensed and metered taxis from established airport taxi queues. Taxi touts (i.e.,
unlicensed cabs) are illegal. At the international arrivals terminal, the taxi queue is located
curbside to the left of the doors exiting the terminal building, as indicated by signs. Outside the
domestic arrivals terminal, there are two legal taxi queues. The first queue is curbside and
includes taxis from all companies except for MaiLinh and VinaSun; these companies have a
separate queue located in the center island, easily identified by Taxi Ambassadors wearing green
button-down shirts assisting with communicating destinations to taxi drivers. At the taxi queue,
passengers can use any taxi in the queue, and do not have to use the first taxi. Insist on using
the taxi company of your choice. Other airports in south and central Vietnam also have legal taxi
queues that travelers should use.

Other Travel Conditions

Pedestrians do not have the right of way, even when crossing with the light in a crosswalk. When
crossing the street, even within a crosswalk, look both ways before stepping into the street. Walk
at a steady pace following a predictable (i.e. straight-line) trajectory towards the other side. Do
not zigzag, stop, or speed up or slow down suddenly. Motor scooter drivers will swerve around
you as long as they can predict your location in the crosswalk based on your speed and path. It
is imperative that adults tightly hold the hands of children near or in a crosswalk. Buses do not
slow down for pedestrians in crosswalks.

Legitimate tour guides and operators must have licenses and registration. Waterfalls and other
areas of natural beauty lack safety guards and warnings typical in the United States. Many boat
tourism operators lack basic safety and rescue equipment on their vessels.

Terrorism Threat

Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns

There is minimal risk from terrorism in Ho Chi Minh City. In December 2017, the Government of
Vietnam sentenced 15 Vietnamese to prison for two purported attacks in April 2017: planting a
petrol bomb at SGN airport, and firebombing a police vehicle impoundment warehouse in Biên
Hòa. In July 2018, police arrested seven people for detonating two small explosive devices at a
police station, injuring three people, during widespread protests in south and central Vietnam.
Vietnamese authorities classified both incidents as terrorist events.

There is no regional or international terrorism threat or concern in Vietnam.

Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment

Local sentiment toward U.S. citizens and interests is generally positive.

Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence

Civil Unrest

There is minimal risk from civil unrest in Ho Chi Minh City. Public security officials highly
discourage civil unrest. Demonstrations, protests, and marches may proceed only with a
government-issued permit. Although public security officials periodically allow smaller, more
spontaneous demonstrations to proceed, once the size of the crowd reaches a certain mass, the
police will end the protest using force, if necessary.

Demonstrations at the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City are commonplace, but rarely focus on
the U.S. Government or its citizens. Instead, demonstrators take advantage of the Consulate’s
high profile and large numbers of visa applicants to air their complaints against the Government
of Vietnam. Periodically, these demonstrations temporarily disrupt Consulate operations;
however, police rarely allow disruptions to persist. Usually, the demonstrators are land-rights
activists protesting the Vietnamese government’s uncompensated seizures of land.

In June 2018, large-scale protests in south and central Vietnam occurred over the course of two
weeks following the announcement that the National Assembly would consider a new law to
establish three additional Special Administrative Economic Zones in Vân Đồn, Bắc Vân Phong,
and Phú Quốc. Although no official estimates exist, eyewitness reports indicate that these protests
may have been the country’s largest since 1975. In Ho Chi Minh City, protests on June 10 resulted
in road closures, including the main route to the airport. Protests spread to other provinces in the
days following, causing labor unrest in some factory towns. Protests resumed when the National
Assembly passed a stringent cybersecurity law on June 12; these were generally anti-China in
nature. Vietnamese security forces quickly moved to suppress protests through arrests and heavy
police presence throughout major urban centers. Protests diminished significantly over the two
subsequent weekends.

The government strictly controls all forms of political speech (particularly dissent) whether on the
internet, in the traditional media, or in public fora. Individuals engaging in public actions the
government deems political or critical of the government or Communist Party are subject to
harassment, surveillance, detention, and arrest. This includes criticizing the government or
Communist Party, and/or their policies; possession of political and religious materials; and
unsanctioned religious activities (i.e. proselytizing). Private conversations can lead to legal
actions; U.S. citizens have faced arrest for political activities in Vietnam. The new cybersecurity
law, which came into effect on January 1, 2019, criminalizes anti-government content and allows
investigators to request user data from internet service providers.

Religious/Ethnic Violence

Proselytizing, unsanctioned religious activity, and possession of certain religious materials are
illegal in Vietnam. The government has confiscated religious materials from U.S. citizens whose
stated purpose of travel to Vietnam was tourism but who engaged in proselytizing or unsanctioned
religious activities, such as holding Bible study groups in hotel rooms; it has also detained, fined,
and expelled them from Vietnam. Religious organizations must register with the Government of
Vietnam. Religious activists and practitioners have reported harassment and abuse at the hands
of local authorities.

Tensions between the central government and ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands
provinces on the western border of Vietnam continue; the government considers the ethnic
minorities to be a national security issue. A number of ethnic minority groups from this area report
harassment and persecution. Vietnam does not experience large-scale ethnic violence; tensions
between ethnic minorities and the Government of Vietnam do not affect tourists.

Post-specific Concerns

Environmental Hazards

South and central Vietnam experiences two seasons: wet and dry. In HCMC and the central
Highlands, the dry season runs from December to March, and rainy season is from April to
October/November, with minimal chance of typhoons, since wind speeds greatly diminish inland;
however, resultant rains routinely cause severe street flooding throughout the city. Police
occasionally close bridges connecting Districts 1 and 2 if vehicles cannot pass safely. Due to poor
drainage, even brief but heavy downpours will cause flooding, disrupting traffic. Due to safety
concerns, many taxis and on-demand drivers (e.g. Grab Taxi and Grab Bike) will not drive when
streets start to flood, stranding people until rain abates and flooding subsides.

Typhoons strike the central coastal areas of Vietnam, resulting in flooding and landslides, causing
severe property damage and posing a hazard to local populations. In July, Tropical Storm Son-
Tinh killed 32 people and destroyed over 5,000 houses in the Northern provinces.

Additionally, the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam is particularly vulnerable to severe flooding
during the rainy season. Climate change has caused environmental deterioration in the Mekong
Delta, further aggravating drought and flooding in the region.

Vietnam is home to a variety of dangerous and poisonous insects and snakes. Hikers should take
appropriate precautions when walking in heavily forested areas and national parks. For more
information, refer to OSAC’s report, When Wildlife Attacks.

Critical Infrastructure

Electricity is generally stable, as are water supplies.

Major cities in south and central Vietnam are host to all major international and regional hotel
chains, as well as numerous local guesthouses and bed and breakfasts. Airbnb is a popular
alternative to hotels in major cities.

Economic Concerns

The theft of intellectual property (IP) remains a problem in Vietnam. Despite revamped IPR laws
on the books, IP enforcement and prosecutions do not deter rights violations. Several
enforcement agencies are involved in and vested with the authority to address infringement
issues. However, the lines of responsibility are not clear, and the lack of human resources and
technical knowledge often results in poor enforcement at both the market and street level. A wide
variety of counterfeit consumer goods, including pirated CDs and DVDs, are readily available
throughout Vietnam. Court actions are lengthy and relatively costly; therefore, administrative
enforcement has been the most effective approach and should be the first step in dealing with
infringement cases.

Currency exchange is legal only at banks and authorized dealers. Local media has reported on
the influx of fake currency entering from China, although the problem is not yet widespread.

Privacy Concerns

There is no expectation of privacy in Vietnam. Public security organizations with robust monitoring
and surveillance systems throughout the country use electronic and digital methods, as well as
official watchers and civilian informers. The government monitors hotel rooms, telephones, fax
machines, and internet use. Movements and activities may be subject to surveillance by public
security and police entities. The Consulate routinely receives reports that intruders routinely
access and search electronic devices, such as computers, laptops, and mobile devices in hotel
rooms and private residences when such devices are not in the possession of their owners.
Personal possessions, media, and documents are subject to search in hotels, residences, and
workplaces. Use of hotel room safes protects against theft, but does not safeguard contents from
search. Be cautious when discussing any sensitive or proprietary information, including while in
vehicles.

Personal Identity Concerns

Although acceptance of LGBT issues has yet to be widespread in Vietnam, foreigners do not
typically experience discrimination to the extent that Vietnamese LGBT do, since the Vietnamese
have a generally more open and tolerant attitude towards the behavior of foreigners. Same-sex
sexual activity is legal in Vietnam, but there are no laws protecting against discrimination based
on sexual orientation.

Due to the legacy of the Vietnam War, general attitudes towards those with disabilities are less
harsh than in other Asian countries. However, poorly constructed or deteriorating sidewalks, the
lack of sidewalks, frequent obstructions (parked motor bikes) on sidewalks, and chaotic traffic
make mobility challenging, particularly for those in wheelchairs. Additionally, there are no
standards or requirements for providing access to those with disabilities, and the entrances to
many buildings require traversing steps. Some office and apartment buildings lack elevators.

The Government of Vietnam considers some persons born in Vietnam or born to parents holding
Vietnamese citizenship to be Vietnamese citizens unless they formally renounce Vietnamese
citizenship with the Vietnamese Government. (Note: becoming a U.S. citizen does not
automatically result in the loss of Vietnamese citizenship.) As a result, Vietnamese officials may
treat U.S. citizens of Vietnamese origin differently than other U.S. citizens. For this reason, all
U.S. citizens should enter Vietnam using their U.S. passports.

Drug-related Crimes

Vietnam is a transshipment and destination country for illegal narcotics, which come across
shared borders with Laos, Cambodia, and China. Punishments for violations of drug laws are
particularly harsh, even for possession of small amounts of illegal narcotics. The government still
regularly employs the death penalty for certain types of drug crimes – particularly drug smuggling;
it has sentenced foreigners to death in recent years, and regularly sentences foreigners to life
imprisonment.

Drugs, including cannabis, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, are readily available in
certain areas of Ho Chi Minh City, including Phạm Ngũ Lão Street, also known as the Backpacker
Area within District 1, and outlying districts of the city. Within the consular district, Tây Ninh
province on Vietnam’s western border with Cambodia is infamous for trans-border narcotics
smuggling into Vietnam, although adjacent provinces also experience this type of illegal activity.

The increase in methamphetamine and intravenous drug use is a significant contributor to the
increase in crime. Illicit drugs may contain unknown and toxic or dangerous ingredients.

Kidnapping Threat

The kidnapping of foreigners for ransom is rare in Vietnam. More common is taxi kidnapping, or
express kidnapping, in which passengers riding in illegal taxis are taken to a remote location and
threatened until they pay a ransom for immediate release or a ride to their desired destination.
Use only marked and metered taxis; in HCMC, use MaiLinh and VinaSun taxis.

Police Response

Police are underfunded and lack training in a number of areas. Nonetheless, police are generally
very responsive and reliable in cases involving foreigners, particularly for cases involving serious
or violent crime. Case closure rates for serious crimes are high; however, for pickpocketing and
other petty property crimes, case closure rates are very low given the frequency of these types of
crime and difficulty identifying perpetrators. While the overall policing situation is gradually
improving, some police openly solicit bribes or compensation – particularly traffic police, who may
set up roadblocks in outlying regions for this purpose. Foreigners might be able to avoid paying
bribes to traffic police by claiming not to understand what the police officer is saying; however,
this tactic is not always successful. By law, police have the right to demand to see identity
documents and individuals must comply.

Police often will not take a report of rape, including from a foreigner. Rape is extremely difficult to
prosecute in Vietnam, since the victim must demonstrate a certain percentage of bodily injury
resulting from the sexual assault; this is difficult to prove unless injuries are visible and serious.
Police typically will not investigate rape cases even if the victim insists on filing a police report.
Additionally, although Vietnam has laws pertaining to domestic violence, police do not consider
domestic violence to be a serious crime, and commonly blame the victim for engaging in behavior
that provoked the violence.

Vietnam has an extensive public security and law enforcement regime with many different
branches. The mostly commonly seen police and public security personnel are:

      Traffic police, who wear tan uniforms, manage traffic and enforce traffic laws.
      Public security police, who wear dark green uniforms with red epaulets, perform routine
       police functions, such as respond to calls and investigate crimes.
      Mobile police, who wear black uniforms with the letters “CSCD,” carry out the functions of
       riot police and SWAT police.

Other uniformed groups perform quasi-police functions, such as the Civil Defense Force,
volunteer traffic, tourist security, and private security guards, who have no actual legal authority.

Police in cities typically have a fast response time compared to those in remote or rural areas,
where road conditions and distances may delay response.

How to Handle Incidents of Police Detention or Harassment

The U.S. Government considers bearers of U.S. passports to be U.S. citizens for the purpose of
notification and access when arrested. Upon arrest or detention, U.S. citizens should immediately
identify themselves as citizens of the United States and provide proof of citizenship in the form of
a passport or photocopy of their passport to local authorities, and request to call the U.S.
Consulate.

A 1994 agreement between the United States and Vietnam states that police must give
notification within 96 hours of a person’s arrest and grant access within 48 hours after that.
Despite this agreement, police rarely notify U.S. consular officers in Vietnam in a timely manner
when they arrest or detain a U.S. citizen. There have also been very significant delays in U.S.
consular officers obtaining timely access to incarcerated U.S. citizens. Police generally do not
charge an arrested under a specific article of law until the conclusion of an investigation, which
can last in increments of four months. The problem of access has been particularly evident when
the Vietnamese government considers the U.S. citizen to be a citizen of Vietnam, irrespective of
proof of U.S. citizenship. According to the 1994 agreement, U.S. citizens, including dual nationals,
have the right to consular access if they received admission into Vietnam as a U.S. citizen with
their U.S. passport, and should insist upon contact with the U.S. Embassy or the U.S. Consulate.

Crime Victim Assistance

The police emergency number in Vietnam is 113; however, few operators speak English.
Depending on the situation, local citizens may assist foreigners in distress by contacting police or
medical authorities. Another option is to go to a hotel that caters to foreign visitors, since reception
staff can usually speak English and are generally helpful in emergencies. Victims must report all
crimes to the police in the district in which the crime took place. Police in Vietnam will not accept
a report on a crime that took place out of their jurisdiction.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the Criminal Task Team can assist victims of theft, fraud, assault, or threat
of violence. The Criminal Task Force’s phone number is (028) 3838-7342.

If involved in an altercation, traffic accident, or other situation that draws a crowd, ask bystanders
to call the police and/or leave the immediate area and call the police.

U.S. citizens can call the U.S. Consulate’s duty officer at (028) 3520-4280 (after hours or on
weekends) or the Consulate switchboard at (028) 3520-4200 (regular business hours). When the
Consulate is closed, the switchboard number provides automated information for U.S. citizens on
a variety of routine issues and emergencies.

Police/Security Agencies

The People’s Public Security falls under the Ministry of Public Security and is the primary police
and security force of Vietnam. People’s Public Security has two branches: the People’s Security
and the People’s Police. The security branch is responsible for national security, internal security,
intelligence, borders and immigration, and other aspects of security relevant to all peoples and
areas of the country. The police branch is responsible for traditional law enforcement functions
such as crime prevention, criminal investigation, traffic and road safety, civil defense, firefighting,
and disaster and emergency preparedness.

The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) initiated a significant national reorganization at the end of
2017, which was still ongoing at the time of this report. The declared intent of this restructuring is
to reduce or eliminate redundant or overlapping functions in MPS, as well as reduce the number
of points of contact. As part of this reorganization, significant personnel reassignments occurred
at the senior and leadership levels within MPS, contracting the number of personnel in the senior
ranks. One short-term result of the MPS reorganization is that a substantial amount of MPS focus
and effort redirected to implementation of the restructuring plan.

Medical Emergencies

Health care infrastructure in Vietnam does not meet Western standards. The quality of medical
care in major metropolitan areas is limited and in rural or remote areas can be nonexistent.
Hospitals in major metropolitan areas are more likely to be able to handle serious emergencies,
but medical care in rural and remote areas may be difficult to obtain and may lack the capacity or
capability to handle cases that are more serious. Even when adequate medical care is available
in private clinics, it is expensive by Vietnamese standards, although often less expensive
compared to U.S. standards. Private clinics typically require full payment at time of service.

The emergency number for calling an ambulance is 115. Ambulances are rudimentary and
typically only have a non-English speaking driver. They only transport a patient to a public
hospital, provide no life-sustaining treatment, and are not able to stabilize patients. Private clinics,
such as Family Medical and SOS, have their own private ambulances, with equipment staffed by
doctors and nurses, that can transport patients to their clinics.

Although many types of over-the-counter and prescription medications are available in Vietnam,
they may be sold under a different name and the composition of ingredients may differ. Counterfeit
pharmaceuticals exist in Vietnam. Bring an ample supply of all necessary medications with you.

Medical education in Vietnam does not meet U.S. standards. The Consulate refers its employees
to private medical clinics staffed by physicians trained in the United States, Europe, Australia, and
Japan. All serious medical cases go to Bangkok, Singapore, or the United States for further
treatment. Dental education in Vietnam also does not meet U.S. standards; however, a number
of private clinics staffed with foreign-trained dentists can provide quality dental care at prices lower
than in the United States. Additionally, some Consulate staff use high-end private dental clinics
catering to expatriates and wealthy locals staffed by Vietnamese-trained dentists. Private clinics
require immediate cash payment upon receipt of services.

Contact Information for Available Medical Services

International SOS (24-hour emergency clinic)
167A Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, District 3, Phone: (28) 3829-8520, Appointments: 3829-8424

HCMC Family Practice
34 Le Duan Street, District 1, Phone: (28) 3822-7848

FV (French Vietnamese) Hospital
Nguyen Luong Bang St, District 7, Emergency: (28) 5411-3500, Appointments: (28) 5411-3333

West Coast Dental
71-79 Dong Khoi, District 1, Phone: (28) 3825-6777

Available Air Ambulance Services

The following is not a comprehensive list. Please refer to the Department of State’s travel website
for more information on air ambulance services:

EUROP Assistance
4330 East-West Highway, Suite 1000, Bethesda, MD 20814, (240) 330-1000
info@europassistance-usa.com

International SOS
3600 Horizon Blvd., Suite 300, Trevose, PA 19053, (800) 523-8662, (215) 942-8333

Medical Wings Siam Land Flying Co., Ltd.
222 room 3602 Donmuang Airport .Vipavadee-Rangsit Road
Sikan Donmuang, Bangkok, Thailand 10210, (66) 2247-3392, (66) 2535-4735
www.medicalwings.com; www.aircharterthailand.com

Pacific Flight Services (Pacific Air Ambulance)
Bldg 499 Seletar West Camp Seletar Airport. Jalan Kaya, (65) 64821727
charter_flight@pacific.net.sg

Insurance Guidance

Strongly consider purchasing medical insurance with medical evacuation (medevac) coverage
due to the poor quality of medical care in Vietnam, particularly in rural areas. Rural and provincial
areas lack the ability to transport critically injured patients by helicopter to metropolitan areas; all
transportation is via road using ambulances.

Country-specific Vaccination and Health Guidance

Tap water in Vietnam is not potable. Drink bottled water only. Ice used in restaurants, cafes, bars,
and by street hawkers is generally safe to consume, since ice made from purified water arrives
regularly from factories. Treat vegetables and fruits with a disinfecting solution prior to
consumption if eaten raw. Otherwise, thorough washing with running water is necessary. In
restaurants, raw lettuce and herbs consumed as part of traditional Vietnamese dishes are already
treated. Tap water is safe for brushing teeth and bathing.

Ensure you receive all routine childhood immunizations. Most travelers should also have hepatitis
A and typhoid vaccines, since you can contract both diseases through contaminated food or water
in Vietnam. Some travelers should receive immunization for Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis B,
and rabies, depending on the length of their stay, activities in Vietnam, and destinations in
Vietnam. There is no risk of yellow fever in Vietnam, but travelers coming from countries with risk
of yellow fever (not the United States) must show proof of yellow fever vaccination.

July and August marked the peak of a widespread, serious outbreak of dengue fever, which was
particularly severe in Hanoi and HCMC; the outbreak infected over 180,000 people, killing 32.

Malaria typically occurs only in rural areas, with the exception of the Red River Delta and the
coast north of Nha Trang. There are rare cases of malaria reported in the Mekong Delta, and no
reported cases in major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Đà Nẵng, and Quy Nhơn.
Visitors to malarial areas should seek guidance from their physician for information on how to
avoid contracting malaria. Some general best practices include taking a prescription anti-malarial
drug, using insect repellent containing DEET, wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts to
prevent mosquito bites, and sleeping in well-screened rooms under a mosquito net.

Zika is endemic in Vietnam.

The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for Vietnam.

OSAC Country Council Information

The Ho Chi Minh City Country Council covers southern and central Vietnam. The HCMC Country
Council meets semi-annually, typically in May and December, and holds an annual daylong
regional conference in March. For inquiries and membership information, email
hcmcrsoosac@state.gov. For security consultations, contact Regional Security Office at
hcmcrsoosac@state.gov or +84 28 3520-4435.

U.S. Consulate Location and Contact Information

Consulate Address and Hours of Operation
4 Le Duan, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
0800 – 1700, closed Saturday, Sunday, and U.S. and Vietnamese holidays

Consulate Contact Numbers
Operator: 84 (0)28 3520-4200
MSG Post 1: 84 (0)28 3520-4280
Website: https://vn.usembassy.gov/

Nearby Posts: U.S. Embassy Hanoi, Vietnam; U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh, Cambodia; U.S.
Embassy Bangkok, Thailand

Embassy/Consulate Guidance

U.S. citizens should register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) prior to traveling
to Vietnam

Additional Resource: Vietnam Country Information Sheet