- Travel Advice
DFAT advice for Vietnam
When travelling to Vietnam, you should always get travel insurance in case the worst happens. To help you ensure you travel safely, we have included the travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for Vietnam.
| Vietnam overall | This Advice is current for Friday, 05 December 2008. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Civil Unrest/Political Tension (avoid protests), Crime (taxi scams), Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate (heavy rain in Northern Vietnam) and Money and Valuables (card swiping). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Summary
- We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Vietnam because of the risk of criminal activity.
- Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety and security risks.
- Rivers and lakes in Northern Vietnam remain high from flooding in late October and there is a risk that heavy rain may cause further flooding, landslides and dislocation of transport infrastructure. For further information, see Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed human deaths from avian influenza in Vietnam. See the Health Issues section below for advice to Australians travelling to or resident in Vietnam.
- Penalties for drug offences are severe and include the death sentence. Vietnamese authorities have announced increased security measures to combat drug trafficking. Over 20 Australians are currently serving long sentences or facing the death penalty for drug trafficking in Vietnam.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
