How to cross the road among motorbikes, which schemes to avoid and what to remember in big cities.

Vietnam is safe for tourists as far as serious crime goes, but there are local specifics.

The road

The main “danger” is the rivers of motorbikes. Cross the road slowly and steadily, without stopping or jerking: the flow goes around you. Sudden movements confuse drivers.

Small things to watch

  • Bags: in Saigon, bags are sometimes snatched from passing motorbikes — carry your bag on the sidewalk side and hold your phone firmly.
  • Taxis: use Grab — a fixed price, with no arguments about the meter.
  • Drink bottled water and get insurance.

Emergency numbers and taxis

  • 113 is the police, 115 the ambulance, 114 the fire service.
  • If not Grab, the reliable taxis are Vinasun and Mai Linh; private drivers sometimes have “tweaked” meters.
  • Double-check your change: the 20,000 and 500,000 dong notes are similar in color, so it is easy to make a mistake.