Is Hanoi Safe in January 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.

ATMs and card payment terminals in Hanoi offer to charge transactions in the tourist's home currency instead of Vietnamese Dong (VND). Accepting this option — known as dynamic currency conversion (DCC) — applies an inflated exchange rate set by the ATM operator, typically 3–8% worse than the interbank rate. The option is presented as a convenience but consistently costs significantly more than choosing VND.

How to avoid: Always select "VND" or "local currency" when prompted at any ATM or card terminal in Vietnam. Never agree to be charged in your home currency. If staff encourage you to select your home currency, decline firmly — the choice always favours the merchant.

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.

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.

Unofficial motorbike taxi (xe om) drivers cluster outside the arrival hall at Noi Bai International Airport and quote fares that are five to ten times higher than the metered rate into central Hanoi. The driver may agree to a price, then demand extra payment upon arrival citing "bridge tolls" or "luggage fees" that were never mentioned. Some drivers take indirect routes to inflate the journey time.

How to avoid: Use the official Hanoi taxi ranks outside Arrivals — look for Noi Bai Taxi or Hanoi Taxi meters. Better still, pre-book a Grab car from inside the terminal before exiting. Agree on the full price in writing before getting on any xe om, and do not hand over your bag.