Safety & SOS

Emergency numbers, hospitals and scam alerts from the Safety & SOS sections of the destination guides. Prices checked November 2026.

Emergency numbers — Vietnam

These are Vietnam's standard national emergency numbers (113 police, 114 fire and rescue, 115 ambulance), confirmed against current published sources in November 2026. Operators usually speak Vietnamese — ask your hotel to call for you if you cannot explain the situation in Vietnamese. The national 112 hotline also operates 24 hours for incident and disaster reports.

International-standard hospitals named in the guides

In Hanoi

In Hanoi

In Ha Long

In Ha Long

In Ninh Binh

In Phu Quoc

Tourist police & support hotlines

Tourist support hotlines differ by province — the Ninh Binh tourist support hotline is 1900 0117. Each guide's Safety section below lists the numbers that apply in that province.

Scam alerts by destination

Common tricks and how to handle them, taken from each guide. The golden rules everywhere: buy tickets only at the official counter, use Grab or Xanh SM where the price shows before you book, and agree a price in full before a taxi moves.

Hanoi — safety & SOS

Emergency numbers: police 113, fire and rescue 114, medical emergency 115. Note: Vietnam is transitioning toward a single unified 113 hotline as of 2026, but 115 for medical emergencies still applies.

Hanoi's own scams — and how to handle them

Airport taxi touts: drivers inside the terminal offer "metered" rides that turn out to have tampered meters or a multiplied fare. Handle it: walk past them to the official taxi rank or the Grab pickup zone, and use only Mai Linh or Vinasun with the meter running.

The shoe-shine and fruit-vendor photo trap: a vendor puts fruit on your shoulder or shines your shoe without asking, then demands payment — sometimes aggressively. Handle it: say no before they touch you or your shoes, and do not accept a photo with their goods. If you want the photo, agree the price first (about 20,000-30,000 VND).

Cyclo price multiplying: the ride is quoted at one price and charged at several times more at the end. Handle it: agree the full price in writing or by message before you get on, and pay exactly that.

Motorbike bag-snatching: it happens, mostly at night on quiet streets. Handle it: wear your bag across your body on the building side, not the road side, and do not hold your phone out over the road while walking.

Crossing the street: walk slowly and steadily, keep going, and never run or stop suddenly. The riders will calculate your path and flow around you — it works, but only if you are predictable.

Seasonal hazards

Typhoon season in the north runs from late May to early November, peaking from July to October — but typhoons mostly hit the coast and Ha Long Bay, not Hanoi itself; the city gets the rain and wind, and flights can be delayed. Summer (May–August) is hot and humid, with midday temperatures of 35–38°C and heatwaves that have passed 40°C in April and May. Winter (December–February) is cool and damp, with drizzle and fog rather than heavy rain — pack a layer. See the full picture on our Seasonal Hazards & Natural Dangers page.

Ha Long — safety & SOS

Emergency numbers: police 113, fire and rescue 114, medical emergency 115.

Ha Long's own scams — and how to handle them

The sightseeing fee double-charge: a budget operator quotes a low cruise price, then adds the 250,000 VND government fee at the pier. Handle it: ask in writing before you book whether the sightseeing fee is included.

Seafood priced by weight: the menu says "market price" and the bill is a shock. Handle it: ask the price per kilogram and confirm the total weight before the kitchen starts cooking.

The too-cheap cruise: a day cruise advertised far below the going rate usually means a crowded boat, a rushed route, or hidden extras. Handle it: compare with the price ranges in section D, read recent reviews, and book through a platform with a clear cancellation policy.

Safety on the water: wear the life jacket when kayaking or on a small boat, and do not swim outside the marked areas. In typhoon season (roughly June to September), cruises can be cancelled at short notice — that is the system working, not a scam, and you should not pressure an operator to sail in bad weather. Keep your phone and camera in a waterproof bag on the boat.

Seasonal hazards

Typhoon season is the big one here: storms reach the Gulf of Tonkin from late May to early November, most often from July to October. When a storm is forecast, Quang Ninh's port authority stops issuing departure permits and every cruise stays in harbour — usually for one to three days (six stoppages between June and October 2025). Decisions usually come 24 to 48 hours before departure, so keep a spare day in your plan and book a cruise with free cancellation. February and March bring the worst visibility of the year — persistent fog and haze, sometimes under 100 metres — and fog can delay or suspend departures too. See the full picture on our Seasonal Hazards & Natural Dangers page.

Ninh Binh — safety & SOS

Emergency numbers: police 113, fire and rescue 114, medical emergency 115. Ninh Binh tourist support hotline: 1900 0117.

Hospital and tourist hotline numbers were taken from the Ninh Binh Tourism Promotion Center and the official site of Ninh Binh Provincial General Hospital, checked 06/11/2026.

Ninh Binh's own scams and pushy selling — and how to handle them

Forced tips and selling on the Tam Coc boat: the rower or a floating vendor may offer embroidered pictures, souvenirs or drinks "for the rower" during the trip, and sometimes turn cold when you refuse. Handle it: say "No, thank you" once, firmly and politely, with no explanation needed. If you want to tip, give 50,000-100,000 VND per boat when you step ashore as a voluntary thank-you — nobody can demand a fixed amount. Buy tickets only at the official ticket counter at the pier, never from people offering outside.

Photo then pay: a wandering photographer takes your photo at the pier or a stop, prints it and asks you to buy it. Handle it: do not accept the photo, and say no to the photo from the start if you do not want it.

Taxis and motorbike taxis without a meter: they quote a verbal price several times the normal fare for a short ride around the boat pier. Handle it: use Grab or Xanh SM, where the price shows before you book, or agree a full price and confirm it again before the car moves; the reference prices are in section C.

Ticket and tour touts at the bus station and train station: they offer boat tickets or tours above the official counter price, or sell sights that do not match the advertising. Handle it: buy each sight's ticket at that sight's own counter; buy day tours through a platform with reviews and a clear cancellation policy (section K).

Safety on the water and on the mountain: wear the life jacket for the whole boat ride (the pier gives one with the ticket); do not stand up while the boat is moving. The path up Hang Mua is steep, and the stone steps are slippery after rain — wear shoes with grip, and avoid climbing in the midday heat because there is no shade at the top.

Motorbike rental safety: only rent if you have the right licence (1968 IDP plus your home licence for international visitors), photograph the bike's condition, and agree clearly whether the price includes a helmet.

Seasonal hazards

The rivers that make Ninh Binh's boat rides also close them. Typhoon season runs from July to October, peaking in August and September, when monthly rain reaches 315–370 mm. When the rivers rise, boat tours are suspended by official order — Trang An halted all boats in late August 2026 as Storm Narra approached, and stopped them again in mid-September 2026; Tam Coc floods faster than Trang An. Check with your hotel on the morning you travel, and keep your plans flexible in July–September. Winter (December–January) is cold, gloomy and foggy. See the full picture on our Seasonal Hazards & Natural Dangers page.

Sa Pa — safety & SOS

Emergency numbers (nationwide): Police 113 · Fire 114 · Ambulance 115.

Local scams and hassles. The most common is persistent selling: women and children in the villages may follow you offering bracelets and textiles. A polite, firm "No, thank you" once is enough — do not engage in a long negotiation unless you intend to buy. Do not buy from children; if you want to support the community, buy from a village cooperative shop or pay for a guided trek. At the Fansipan ticket area, buy only at the official counter and ignore street resellers.

Mountain safety. Weather changes fast: fog can drop visibility to a few metres in minutes. Do not trek alone on unmarked trails, and tell your hotel where you are going. Trails are slippery after rain — wear shoes with grip, not sandals. At 3,143 m, Fansipan can be cold and windy even in summer; bring a jacket and water.

Seasonal hazards

June to September is the wettest stretch, with July and August each averaging over 400 mm of rain. Trails turn to slick clay, and heavy rain can trigger landslides and flash floods on the mountain roads in and out of Sa Pa — a rockfall blocked National Highway 4D at Ta Phin for several hours in May 2026. Do not trek alone after heavy rain, and ask your hotel or guide about road conditions before you set out. Winter (December–February) is properly cold: average lows of 6–8°C, cold snaps near freezing, frost on the coldest mornings, and fog that can sit over the valley for days. At 3,143 m, Fansipan is cold and windy even in summer. See the full picture on our Seasonal Hazards & Natural Dangers page.

Phong Nha — safety & SOS

Emergency numbers (nationwide): Police 113 · Fire 114 · Ambulance 115.

Local scams and hassles. Phong Nha is one of the friendliest and least scammy places in Vietnam. The main risks are practical, not criminal: unlicensed "guides" offering Son Doong trips (only Oxalis is licensed — anyone else is lying), and drivers at the airport quoting inflated flat rates. Agree every price before you get in the car, and book expeditions only through licensed operators.

Cave and river safety. Never enter a wild cave without a licensed guide and proper equipment — people have died in unmarked caves here. Wear the helmet and life jacket provided. In the rainy season, rivers rise fast: if your homestay or guide says a cave is closed, believe them. On the zipline, follow the operator's weight and safety rules exactly. Bring insect repellent for jungle treks, and a waterproof bag for your phone on boat trips.

Seasonal hazards

The rainy season runs from roughly mid-September to mid-December, and it is the one window worth avoiding if the caves are the point of your trip. Paradise Cave is dry and high above the valley floor, so it stays open through almost everything. Phong Nha Cave closes when the Son River rises past the jetty — typically for two to five days at a time. The Dark Cave zipline and mud bath are reduced or closed from mid-September, Mooc Spring is often closed in October and November, and river caves and swim-through tours are suspended from mid-September to mid-November. The big expeditions run on fixed seasons: Son Doong from January to August only, Hang En from December to mid-September. In late October 2024, Storm Trami suspended all cave tours in the park at once. Book cave trips between February and August, and check with your operator the week before you travel. See the full picture on our Seasonal Hazards & Natural Dangers page.

Hue — safety & SOS

• Police: 113
• Ambulance: 115
• Fire: 114
• Tourist assistance: call the local police (113) and ask for English-speaking help; hotels can also call on your behalf.

Scams and risks to watch for: Cyclo drivers who agree one price and demand another at the end — agree the price and the route in writing if you can. Boat operators who add "fees" mid-river — agree the full price before boarding. Flooding: October and November bring heavy rain, and Hue floods more than any other city in central Vietnam. If the river is high, check with your hotel before going out, and do not drive through flooded streets.

Seasonal hazards

October and November bring the heaviest rain and the main flood risk — the Perfume River can rise by several metres, with the south bank flooding first. The Hai Van Pass between Hue and Da Nang is foggy in rain and carries a landslide risk after heavy rain; ride it on a clear day, and avoid it from October to December. The best window for Hue is March to August. See the full picture on our Seasonal Hazards & Natural Dangers page.

Da Nang — safety & SOS

• Police: 113
• Ambulance: 115
• Fire: 114
• Tourist assistance: call the local police (113) and ask for English-speaking help; hotels can also call on your behalf.

Scams to watch for: Taxi drivers who "forget" the meter or take a long route — use Grab or a verified company. Motorbike rental shops that claim damage on return — photograph the bike first. Market vendors who quote a tourist price — bargain politely, and walk away if the price does not move. At Ba Na Hills, buy tickets only at the official counter or through a trusted booking site, never from touts in the car park.

Seasonal hazards

October is the wettest month (about 628 mm of rain on long-term averages) and November is not far behind (about 448 mm). Typhoon season on the central coast runs from September to December, peaking from early October to mid-November. Heavy rain floods underpasses and riverside roads, and saturated hillsides raise the landslide risk on Son Tra, the Hai Van Pass and the Ba Na Hills road — the city warned visitors off all three during the October 2026 storms. The sea is rough from October to January; swim only where lifeguards are on duty. The best window is February to August. See the full picture on our Seasonal Hazards & Natural Dangers page.

Hoi An — safety & SOS

• Police: 113
• Ambulance: 115
• Fire: 114
• Tourist assistance: call the local police (113) and ask for English-speaking help; hotels can also call on your behalf.

Scams to watch for: Tailors who pressure you into ordering more than you want — decide your budget before you walk in, and get the price in writing. Boat touts who quote one price and charge another — agree the price and the duration before boarding. The "free" lantern that turns out to cost 50,000 VND — nothing on the riverfront is free. Flooding in October–November can close the old town streets; check conditions with your hotel before you go out.

Seasonal hazards

The Ancient Town floods in most years in October and November, when the Thu Bon River rises after sustained rain. Most floods are shallow and brief — knee-deep water on the lowest riverside streets for one to three days — but exceptional years have seen water approaching two metres (1964, 1999, 2007, 2017, 2020), and in October 2025 the river peaked 14 cm above its 1964 mark. October averages about 628 mm of rain, November about 448 mm. If you visit then, stay a little away from the river, keep your plans flexible, and check conditions with your hotel before you go out. The sea is rough from October to January — swim only where lifeguards are on duty. See the full picture on our Seasonal Hazards & Natural Dangers page.

Nha Trang — safety & SOS

Nha Trang is one of Vietnam's safer beach cities, but the usual rules apply. Bag-snatching happens on the promenade at night — wear your bag across your body and keep your phone out of your back pocket. Swim only in marked areas: the bay looks calm, but currents and undertow can be strong after rain, and jellyfish appear in some seasons (ask the lifeguards). On boat trips, insist on a life jacket and check that the boat has one for every passenger.

• Emergency numbers: Police 113, Fire 114, Ambulance 115.
• Common scams: Overpriced boat trips sold by beach touts (book through your hotel or at the pier); jet-ski and sun-lounger "damage" charges (agree on the price and photograph the equipment first); taxi meters that run fast (use Grab or Mai Linh 1055). During the rainy season, check the weather before booking any boat trip — operators should cancel in rough seas, but some do not.

Seasonal hazards

Nha Trang is dry from February to August and rainy from September to December. October and November are the wettest months (roughly 280–340 mm each) and carry the typhoon risk: three typhoons made direct landfall here in the last ten years, all between late October and early November. When a storm approaches, the province bans boats from leaving port — in November 2025 more than 300 tourist vessels were halted for Typhoon Kalmaegi, and days of rain flooded low-lying districts, with water over two metres in places and landslides on the Khanh Le and Khanh Son passes. Island trips to Hon Mun run easiest from January to August. See the full picture on our Seasonal Hazards & Natural Dangers page.

Da Lat — safety & SOS

Emergency numbers (nationwide): Police 113 · Fire 114 · Ambulance 115.

Local scams and hassles. Da Lat is one of Vietnam's safest and most relaxed cities. The usual cautions apply: agree taxi fares before you ride, buy attraction tickets only at the official counter, and be wary of anyone offering a "free" tour that turns into a shopping stop. Strawberry sellers at the roadside sometimes sell imported berries as local — taste before you buy a big box.

Road and weather safety. Mountain roads are winding and foggy, especially on Prenn Pass — drive slowly and do not overtake on blind bends. Afternoon rain in the wet season makes roads slippery. At Langbiang and the waterfalls, wear shoes with grip; the steps are steep and can be slick.

Seasonal hazards

Da Lat's mountain passes are the risk here. After prolonged heavy rain, landslides can close the main routes into the city — Prenn Pass, Mimosa Pass and National Highway 20. In November 2025, exceptional rains cut all of them at once: a collapse at Mimosa Pass tore a 50-metre-wide, 30-metre-deep chasm in the road, Prenn Pass and National Highway 20 closed too, and the province declared a state of emergency. Prenn Pass reopened on 25 November with trucks still banned. That November was exceptional, not a yearly pattern — but check road conditions with your hotel or driver before any mountain drive, and avoid the passes in heavy rain, at night or in dense fog. See the full picture on our Seasonal Hazards & Natural Dangers page.

Ho Chi Minh City — safety & SOS

Saigon is generally safe for visitors, but petty crime is real — bag-snatching by passing motorbikes is the classic risk. Wear your bag across your body, keep your phone in your front pocket on busy streets, and do not dangle a camera over the curb. At night, stick to well-lit streets in District 1 and take a Grab rather than walking alone through quiet alleys.

• Emergency numbers: Police 113, Fire 114, Ambulance 115. Tourist Police (District 1): +84 28 3829 7643.
• Common scams: Fake taxis with rigged meters (only use Vinasun or Mai Linh, or Grab); shoe-shine and "free" bracelet offers around Ben Thanh; inflated bills at a few Bui Vien bars (confirm prices first); motorbike rental shops charging for pre-existing scratches (photograph the bike before you ride away). If a taxi driver refuses the meter, walk away — another cab is seconds behind.

Seasonal hazards

The rainy season runs from May to mid-November, and September and October are the wettest months (roughly 255–340 mm each). Streets flood most often in September and October, when heavy rain meets the year's highest tides in the Saigon River — water can rise to ankle height or more within minutes, and low-lying outer districts suffer most. In November 2025 the Phu An tide gauge set an all-time high of 1.78 m, and central streets including Bui Vien went under water. The water recedes as the tide falls, so for most visitors it is a disruption, not a danger: allow extra time around high tide, and avoid ground-floor rooms in low-lying areas in October and November. April and May bring the year's worst heat, with temperatures regularly above 35°C. See the full picture on our Seasonal Hazards & Natural Dangers page.

Can Tho & Mekong Delta — safety & SOS

Emergency numbers (nationwide): Police 113 · Fire 114 · Ambulance 115.

Local scams and hassles. Can Tho is relaxed and low on scams, but two things catch visitors: boat drivers at Ninh Kieu Wharf quoting inflated prices to tourists who arrive at 5 a.m. without having agreed a fare — always agree the boat, the route and the price the evening before, or book through your hotel; and "guides" at the market who attach themselves to your boat and expect a fee. A polite, firm "No, thank you" works.

Boat and water safety. Wear the life jacket provided on small boats, even if locals do not. Do not stand up in a sampan. In the wet season, rivers rise and currents strengthen — if your boat driver says a canal is closed, believe them. Keep your phone and camera in a waterproof bag; splashes are guaranteed at the floating market.

Seasonal hazards

The wet season runs from May to November, and the Mekong flood season runs from about August to November — water spreads across the fields of An Giang and Dong Thap, and the floating season (September–November) is a sight in itself. For visitors it is mostly a matter of timing: boat trips run, but routes and water levels change, and high tides in October and November can push water into low-lying riverside streets. Check with your boat operator the day before, and keep your phone and camera in a waterproof bag. See the full picture on our Seasonal Hazards & Natural Dangers page.

Phu Quoc — safety & SOS

Phu Quoc is generally safe, and the main risks are natural ones. Swim only where the water is calm and lifeguards are present — the west coast can have strong currents and big waves in the rainy season, and jellyfish appear in some months. On boat and snorkeling trips, insist on a life jacket and check that the boat has one for every passenger. Scooter accidents are the most common injury on the island: the roads are quieter than the mainland's, but they are also darker at night, and stray dogs are common. Do not ride after dark if you can avoid it.

• Emergency numbers: Police 113, Fire 114, Ambulance 115.
• Common scams: Overpriced boat trips sold by touts (book through your hotel); jet-ski and sun-lounger "damage" charges (agree on the price and photograph the equipment first); pearl shops selling fakes at real prices (buy only from reputable, established shops); taxi drivers refusing the meter on long runs (use Grab or agree a fixed price first). In the rainy season, check the weather and the ferry status before any boat trip — operators should cancel in rough seas, but some do not.

Seasonal hazards

From May to October the south-west monsoon brings heavy rain and rough seas on the west coast. Island-hopping and snorkelling tours — and the ferries to the mainland — are cancelled when the sea is too rough, most often from June to September. Do not put a ferry crossing on the day before an international flight. The east and south coasts (Bai Sao, Bai Khem) are more sheltered in those months. In July 2026 a tourist speedboat capsized in rough seas off Hon May Rut and 15 passengers died — book with an established operator, wear the life jacket, and do not go out in rough weather. The dry season, November to April, brings calm seas. See the full picture on our Seasonal Hazards & Natural Dangers page.