Health and safety

Many people worry about safety issues when traveling to Hanoi.  This is due primarily to the fact that there are rumors that Vietnam is an unfriendly place for many travelers.  These rumors stem from the fact that the area saw years and years of domination by other countries and erected a barrier around themselves and foreigners as a result of this. However, it is no longer the case that Hanoi is unfriendly.  In fact, much of the money in the area comes from tourists and the locals recognize and appreciate that.

The one main area where there is generally some concern for safety is in using public transportation in Hanoi.  The bus system there can be confusing, which means that visitors are often not alert to their surroundings when navigating the bus, because they are trying to figure out what is going on with their schedules and routes.  This fact, combined with the fact that busses and terminals are often crowded, makes these areas a hotbed for petty theft crimes.  In particular, pick pocketing is a risk in these areas.  Visitors should take standard safety precautions to make sure not to become victims of this type of crime. 

If you are a foreigner and want to find a good hospital in Hanoi, it only can be Hanoi French Hospital. HFH (http://www.hfh.com.vn) is the first international hospital in Hanoi. It serves foreigners. The hospital stands as a 68-bed multi disciplinary care facility offering essential medical and surgical services. It aims at serving Vietnamese as well as foreigners, residents or travelers, in and around Hanoi, reaching for the all the northern Vietnam.