Is Hanoi Safe for Tourists in 2026?

The Old Quarter is full of travel agencies selling "budget" Halong Bay cruises that bear no resemblance to what was advertised. Boats are dirty, food is poor quality, and hidden fees appear throughout the trip.

How to avoid: Book Halong Bay tours only through well-reviewed agencies with TripAdvisor certificates and clear cancellation policies. Visit the agency in person, inspect sample itineraries, and read recent reviews dated within 3 months.

Where: Travel agencies on Hang Bac Street, Dinh Liet Street, and Ma May Street in the Old Quarter, and cheaper agencies near Hanoi train station on Le Duan Street, Hanoi

Fraudulent Facebook pages and websites impersonate legitimate Hanoi tour operators, Halong Bay cruise companies, and hotels. They run paid social media advertisements offering tours and hotel packages at dramatically discounted prices, then collect full payment upfront via personal accounts before disappearing. Vietnam's cybersecurity association reported online tourism fraud losses of 18,900 billion VND in 2024, with booking scams among the most prevalent methods.

How to avoid: Book tours and accommodation only through operators with verifiable business licences and published office addresses. Cross-check any Facebook page against the official website — confirm the page was not recently created or renamed. Never transfer full payment to a personal bank account. Request an official VAT invoice as proof of a legitimate business.

Where: Fake pages impersonate Old Quarter travel agencies on Hang Bac Street and Dinh Liet Street, as well as well-known Halong Bay cruise operators; social media ads target tourists researching Hanoi and Halong Bay before or during their trip

Thieves on motorbikes target pedestrians walking along Hanoi's streets, snatching phones, handbags, cameras, and jewellery in drive-by grabs. Victims on the street or who are hailing a vehicle are specifically targeted. The US State Department, UK FCDO, and Australian Smartraveller all list motorbike snatch theft as a primary safety risk in Hanoi, with incidents reported both day and night.

How to avoid: Carry bags on the side away from traffic and hold them firmly against your body. Keep your phone in a pocket rather than holding it while walking near roads. Never resist a snatch — injuries from being dragged are more serious than property loss. Avoid displaying cameras, expensive jewellery, or large amounts of cash on the street.

Where: High-traffic tourist streets in the Old Quarter, particularly along Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, and Luong Ngoc Quyen streets; the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake on Dinh Tien Hoang Street; the area around St. Joseph's Cathedral on Nha Tho Street; and Noi Bai airport approach roads

Fraudulent websites and Facebook pages impersonate legitimate Hanoi hotels by copying their names, logos, and photos. Victims pay deposits or full amounts via personal bank accounts or e-wallets, only to arrive and find no reservation exists or the property does not match. The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism flagged this as one of the fastest-growing fraud categories in 2024, with losses of billions of VND reported nationally.

How to avoid: Book only through a hotel's official website (verify the URL carefully) or internationally recognised platforms. Never transfer payment to a personal bank account or e-wallet — legitimate hotels use business accounts. Call the hotel directly to confirm your reservation after booking.

Where: Old Quarter area hotels and guesthouses on Hang Bac Street, Ma May Street, and Luong Ngoc Quyen Street are frequently impersonated; fake pages also target popular boutique hotels near Hoan Kiem Lake