Stay Safe & Healthy in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is generally a safe city, with violent crimes such as armed robbery being uncommon. The most prevalent crimes tourists confront are pickpocketing and motorbike snatching.
Ho Chi Minh City’s streets are populated by con artists. A person will initiate discussion by pretending to have seen you at the airport or another tourist attraction where they work. Once they find out where you’re from, they’ll remark that another family member is relocating to a city in your nation. You will be welcomed to their home for dinner to help a worried grandmother or to offer advice to a member of their family. When you arrive at the residence, however, the family member is not present, or the grandma has been hospitalized due to a sudden illness. You will be provided with numerous business opportunities, whether legal or not, or asked for financial assistance for your grandmother’s sudden illness.
Even in the mid-range pricing range of USD20-USD70, hotel scams are frequent. The hotel will remind you to place valuables in the room or hotel safe. Lock up everything of moderate to high value.
Do not hold valuable items near the street or leave them out on the table while eating, particularly in District 1 and around the backpacker district. A significant issue is petty theft, which is frequently committed by people on motorcycles. It is simple to prevent theft by denying burglars the opportunity.
Do not pay more than USD2 for coconut; the true price is USD0.5. If compelled, call the police at +84 8 3829 7643 or +84 8 38299835.
Additionally, the prostitutes along Bui Vien and Ton That Tung will attempt to rob you. Typically, they will approach men acting as though they are conducting legitimate prostitute business, but they are actually attempting to pickpocket you.
Medical services
Public hospitals are typically ill-equipped, congested, and staffed by individuals with little English proficiency. Therefore, it is strongly encouraged that foreigners utilize private hospitals instead. The French-run FV Hospital is the most highly rated private hospital in Vietnam, with treatment standards comparable to those in the West with French- and English-speaking physicians and nurses. City International Hospital, American International Hospital, and Vinmec Central Park International Hospital are also popular among expatriates.
- Nu Cuoi Duyen Dental, 15-17 Cach Mang Thang Tam, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, +84 9 7377 9900, e-mail: nhakhoanucuoiduyen@gmail.com.8:00-12:00, 14:00-20:00. The equipment is contemporary, and the staff is competent and cordial. The prices are far lower than Western standards. $19 cost for cleaning.
- Far East Dental, 249 Le Thanh Ton St, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1 (A stone’s throw away from Ben Thanh Market), +84 8 3825 7789, e-mail:nkviendong@hcm.vnn.vn. 9:00-12:00, 13:30-19:00. The equipment is contemporary, and the staff is competent and cordial. The prices are far lower than Western standards. $13 cost for cleaning.
- Institut du Coeur / CMI Vietnam, 1 Han Thuyen, Quan 1 (Near Notre Dame cathedral, opposite central post office), +84 8 3827 2366, fax: +84 8 3827 2365, e-mail: info@cmi-vietnam.com. M-F 08:00-19:00, Sa 09:00-13:00; Emergencies 24/7. Established by Fondation Alain Carpentier is a well-known French cardiologist. Modern equipment and bilingual personnel with French training.
- European Medical Center – Phong Kham Au Chau, 508 NGo Gia Tu, Ph 9, Quan 5 (Near Huong Vuong Plazza and Medical University Hospital), +84 8 6264 6701, fax: +84 8 6264 67 03, e-mail: emc@ghs.com.vn. M-F 08:00-19:00, Sa 08:00-13:00. Cardiology and Internal Medicine – French cardiologist and French Pharmacist – Med Laboratory – Home Nurses services .
Police stations
Go to a police station if you need to file a complaint, for example regarding a stolen item. For stolen property, you must report to a station nearby. Small stations are unlikely to have a police officer with excellent English language skills. If possible, travel with a speaker of Vietnamese.
- Police station District 2, 989 Dong Van Cong, W.Thanh My Loi, D.2,+84 8 37451325. 07:30-11:30, 13:00-17:00.
- Police station District 3, 01 Nguyen Thuong Hien, Ward 4 , District 3, +84 8 38392764. 07:30-11:30, 13:00-17:00.
- Police station District 4, 14 Doan Nhu Hai, Ward 12, District 1, +84 8 39400188. 07:30-11:30, 13:00-17:00.
- Police station District 5, 359 Tran Hung Dao, Ward 10, District 5, +84 8 38550878. 07:30-11:30, 13:00-17:00.
- Police station Binh Thanh, 18 Phan Dang Luu, ward 6, Binh Thanh, +84 8 38414882. 07:30-11:30, 13:00-17:00.
- Police station Phu Nhuan, 181 Hoang Van Thu, Phu Nhuan. 07:30-11:30, 13:00-17:00.
