Is Hanoi safe?
Safe with normal care. Traffic, overcharging in the Old Quarter and bag snatching are the main problems; violent crime against visitors is rare.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2026-06-23.
- Homicide rate in Vietnam: 1.5 per 100,000 people (2011, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Vietnam: 30.6 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 113 · Ambulance 115 · Fire 114.
Safety in Hanoi at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Bag and phone snatching from motorbikes, pickpocketing in crowded Old Quarter streets and markets, and overcharging. |
| At night | The Old Quarter is lively until midnight, then quiet. Use Grab late rather than random xe om or taxis. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Stares and a few persistent touts are normal; use Grab at night and watch your drink in Ta Hien bars. |
| Other risks | Chaotic motorbike traffic; Winter smog and cold, damp flats without heating; Heat and storms in Jun–Aug |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Cyclo and street-vendor prices changed after the ride or sale
- Fake or tampered meter taxis around the Old Quarter and airport
- Friendly strangers leading you to a tour or shop
- Shoe-shine boys gluing shoes, then demanding payment
Take care
- Ta Hien beer street late at night: spiked drinks and fights
- Crossing roads in the Old Quarter at rush hour
- Phone in hand next to the kerb
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty; possession means prison
- Flying a drone needs a permit; unpermitted drones get confiscated
- Photographing military sites or joining protests can lead to detention
How Hanoi compares in Vietnam
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Con Dao | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hanoi | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Da Nang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hoi An | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ha Long Bay | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nha Trang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Phu Quoc | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sapa | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hue | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ninh Binh | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Da Lat | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Mui Ne | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Phong Nha | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cat Ba | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Vung Tau | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Quy Nhon | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Can Tho | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cao Bang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Mai Chau | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ha Giang | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Hanoi safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Stares and a few persistent touts are normal; use Grab at night and watch your drink in Ta Hien bars.
Is Hanoi safe at night?
The Old Quarter is lively until midnight, then quiet. Use Grab late rather than random xe om or taxis.
What is the crime rate in Hanoi?
Bag and phone snatching from motorbikes, pickpocketing in crowded Old Quarter streets and markets, and overcharging. Nationally, Vietnam records 1.5 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2011).
What number do I call in an emergency in Hanoi?
Police 113 · Ambulance 115 · Fire 114.
More about Hanoi
Going to Hanoi solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Hanoi Metro
- Noi Bai International Airport (ACV)
- Grab Vietnam
- Vinmec
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.