Is Vientiane safe?
Calm and low-crime. Bag snatching from motorbikes, thefts from rooms and road accidents are the main risks.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2026-07-27.
- Road deaths in Laos: 17.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 1191 · Ambulance 1195 · Fire 1190.
Safety in Vientiane at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Bag snatching by motorbike riders on riverside streets at night, plus theft from parked cars and rooms. Violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | Streets empty by 10 pm and most bars close around 11:30 pm. Use a taxi or ride-hailing car rather than walking dark roads. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Watch bag snatching near the river at night and dress modestly at temples. |
| Other risks | Road accidents; Heavy rain flooding; Dengue in the rainy season |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Tuk-tuk drivers quoting several times the going fare
- Gem or tailor shop detours
- Fake police asking to inspect your wallet
Take care
- Riverside paths late at night: snatch thefts
- Rented motorbikes: crashes and police fines for no licence
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Sex with a Lao national outside a registered marriage is illegal; fines up to US$5,000.
- Vapes, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco are illegal to bring, buy or use.
- Drug offences carry long sentences, and trafficking can bring the death penalty.
How Vientiane compares in Laos
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Luang Prabang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Vientiane | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| 4000 Islands | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pakse | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nong Khiaw | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Thakhek | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Phonsavan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Vang Vieng | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Vientiane safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Watch bag snatching near the river at night and dress modestly at temples.
Is Vientiane safe at night?
Streets empty by 10 pm and most bars close around 11:30 pm. Use a taxi or ride-hailing car rather than walking dark roads.
What is the crime rate in Vientiane?
Bag snatching by motorbike riders on riverside streets at night, plus theft from parked cars and rooms. Violent crime against visitors is rare.
What number do I call in an emergency in Vientiane?
Police 1191 · Ambulance 1195 · Fire 1190.
More about Vientiane
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Laos Tourism
- 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.