Danang Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Danang.
Healthcare System
Danang has a two-tier healthcare system with public hospitals serving locals and international-standard private facilities catering to tourists and expatriates. The city has made significant investments in medical infrastructure and is considered one of Vietnam's better cities for healthcare outside of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Hospitals
Family Medical Practice Danang and Hoan My Danang Hospital are the primary international facilities. Danang Hospital and Danang C Hospital are major public facilities. Most hotels can arrange doctor visits or hospital transport. International hospitals accept international insurance and credit cards.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies (Nhà thuốc) are abundant throughout the city. Many medications available by prescription-only in Western countries can be purchased over-the-counter. However, counterfeit medications exist, so use reputable pharmacies. Guardian and Medicare are reliable pharmacy chains. Pharmacists may have limited English.
Insurance
Travel insurance is not legally required but strongly recommended. Medical costs at international facilities can be expensive, and medical evacuation costs can exceed $50,000. Ensure your policy covers motorcycle accidents if you plan to ride.
Healthcare Tips
- Bring sufficient prescription medications in original packaging with a doctor's letter
- International hospitals require upfront payment or insurance guarantee before treatment
- Download offline translation apps for medical terms in case of emergency
- Keep your insurance company's emergency number readily accessible
- Tap water is not safe to drink; stick to bottled or filtered water to avoid stomach issues
- Dengue fever is present; use mosquito repellent, especially during rainy season
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Danang has heavy motorcycle traffic with driving customs unfamiliar to Western visitors. Accidents involving tourists on rental motorcycles are common, as are pedestrian accidents when crossing streets.
Bag snatching from motorcycles and pickpocketing in crowded areas occur occasionally. Thieves may work in pairs, with one creating a distraction while another steals belongings.
Strong currents and riptides can occur at Danang's beaches, particularly during monsoon season. Drownings occur annually, often involving tourists unfamiliar with ocean conditions.
Traveler's diarrhea and food poisoning can occur from unfamiliar bacteria, poor food handling, or contaminated water/ice.
Danang has intense tropical sun and high temperatures (often 30-38°C in summer). Heat exhaustion and severe sunburn are common among tourists.
Rental motorcycles can be stolen if not properly secured, leaving tourists liable for replacement costs.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Some unlicensed taxis use rigged meters that run faster than normal, or take unnecessarily long routes. Drivers may also claim the meter is broken and quote inflated flat rates.
Rental shops claim pre-existing damage was caused by the renter, or actually damage the bike themselves after rental, then demand excessive compensation. They may hold passports as collateral.
Street touts or hotel staff sell tours at inflated prices or book with unreliable operators. Tours may not include promised features or may be cancelled last minute without refund.
Some restaurants add items you didn't order to the bill, charge for items claimed to be free (like tea or wet towels), or bring unrequested dishes then charge for them.
Taxi or tour drivers receive commissions for bringing tourists to specific shops. High-pressure sales tactics are used, and quality may not match prices charged.
Devices attached to ATMs capture card information and PIN numbers for later fraudulent use.
People approach tourists with laminated cards claiming to collect for deaf/disabled charities, pressuring for donations that don't go to legitimate causes.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
Transportation Safety
- Use Grab app for reliable, metered transportation with driver tracking
- If renting a motorcycle, ensure you have proper license and insurance coverage
- Always wear a helmet when on motorcycles (legally required and enforced)
- Negotiate taxi fares to airport beforehand (typically 120,000-150,000 VND to city center)
- Be extremely cautious crossing streets; walk slowly and steadily so traffic can anticipate your movement
- Avoid riding motorcycles after drinking or in unfamiliar areas at night
Money and Valuables
- Carry only what you need; leave excess cash and cards in hotel safe
- Use ATMs inside banks during daytime hours to avoid skimming devices
- Notify your bank of travel dates to prevent card blocks
- Carry small denominations; many places can't break large bills
- Keep emergency cash separate from your main wallet
- Take photos of important documents and store them in cloud storage
- Be discreet when handling money; don't flash large amounts in public
Accommodation Safety
- Use hotel safes for passports, extra cash, and valuables
- Check door locks and windows upon arrival
- Keep room number private; don't announce it in public areas
- Use door chains/latches when in room
- Know emergency exit locations
- Report any suspicious persons or activity to hotel staff immediately
Beach and Water Safety
- Swim only at beaches with lifeguard presence
- Respect red flag warnings; conditions can be dangerous
- Don't swim alone or after consuming alcohol
- Keep valuables secured; don't leave bags unattended on beach
- Be aware of strong currents, especially during monsoon season
- Rinse off after swimming; some beaches have jellyfish seasonally
Health Precautions
- Drink only bottled or filtered water; avoid ice in questionable establishments
- Use high SPF sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours
- Carry hand sanitizer and use before eating
- Take antimalarial medication if advised by doctor (low risk in Danang city)
- Bring basic first aid supplies and any prescription medications
- Get travel vaccinations recommended for Vietnam (Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, etc.)
- Have travel insurance that covers medical evacuation
Cultural Awareness
- Dress modestly when visiting temples and pagodas (cover shoulders and knees)
- Remove shoes before entering temples, homes, and some shops
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially at religious sites
- Be respectful of Buddhist monks; women should not touch monks
- Learn basic Vietnamese phrases; locals appreciate the effort
- Avoid public displays of affection; Vietnamese culture is conservative
- Don't touch people's heads or point feet at others or religious objects
Communication
- Purchase a local SIM card for data and emergency calls (available at airport)
- Download offline maps (Google Maps works well in Vietnam)
- Save important addresses in Vietnamese to show taxi drivers
- Keep hotel business card with you for easy return navigation
- Download translation app (Google Translate has offline Vietnamese)
- Have emergency contacts readily accessible in your phone
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Danang is generally safe for women travelers, including solo female travelers. Vietnamese culture is relatively conservative, and violent crime against women is rare. However, women may experience occasional unwanted attention, staring (often curiosity rather than threat), and rare instances of verbal harassment. Most women report feeling comfortable exploring the city independently.
- Dress modestly to blend in and show cultural respect; avoid revealing clothing
- Use licensed taxis or Grab rather than motorcycle taxis (xe om) late at night
- Avoid accepting drinks from strangers and watch your drink being prepared
- Book accommodations in well-reviewed, centrally located areas
- Trust your instincts; if a situation feels uncomfortable, remove yourself
- Be firm but polite when declining unwanted attention or sales pitches
- Consider joining group tours for activities like motorbiking to rural areas
- Keep phone charged and share your location with friends/family when out
- Avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas after dark
- Be aware that some men may assume Western women are more open to advances
- Wedding rings (real or fake) can help deflect unwanted attention
- Connect with other travelers through hostel common areas or online groups
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Homosexuality is legal in Vietnam with no criminal penalties. Same-sex marriage is not recognized, but Vietnam is considered one of the more progressive Southeast Asian countries on LGBTQ+ issues. The government has taken steps toward greater acceptance in recent years.
- Exercise discretion with public displays of affection, as all couples are expected to be modest
- Hotel staff are generally professional; same-sex couples booking rooms rarely encounter issues
- Danang lacks dedicated LGBTQ+ venues; Ho Chi Minh City has a more developed scene if desired
- Use international LGBTQ+ travel apps cautiously; meet new people in public spaces first
- Vietnamese people may ask personal questions about relationships out of curiosity, not malice
- Trans travelers should carry identification matching their presentation to avoid complications
- Rural areas and religious sites may be more conservative than the city center
- Connect with LGBTQ+ travel communities online for current experiences and recommendations
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential for visiting Danang. Medical care at international facilities is expensive, and medical evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore can cost $50,000+. Motorcycle accidents are common and often not covered without specific policies. Trip cancellations due to typhoons occur regularly during storm season. Vietnamese hospitals typically require upfront payment or insurance guarantee before treating serious conditions.
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