Safety


Terrorism: There have been no incidents of terrorism in Vietnam and, though I can not categorically exclude the risk of attacks, the country is counted among the safest destinations in South East Asia. Given the international situation is appropriate to adopt a course of conduct based on however, the utmost caution and pay attention to their personal safety.

Crime: Vietnam is considered a safe country, but criminal activities against the tourists, often in the form of bag-snatching and pickpocketing, are growing in number in major cities across the country and major tourist sites (particularly in Ho Chi Minh City, but also in Hanoi, Nha Trang, Sapa, Halong Bay, Cat Ba Island), in some cases with serious consequences. Visitors should pay particular attention to their values, the use of cyclo (a kind of risk ') and motorcycle taxi is not recommended at night.
E 'should be deposited in the safes of the hotels money, jewelry, airline tickets and passport, which you should carry a photocopy.

Risks related to mobility: the Vietnamese authorities may restrict access to certain areas of the country for reasons of public order and internal security. The areas with limited access areas of interest include military, border and unspecified sites of particular political, economic and cultural for sure it covers some areas inhabited by ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands (the provinces of Dak Lak, Gia Lai and Kon Tum). The restricted areas are marked with signs that said "Khu VUC cam" or "Dia diem cam. They can be visited by foreigners only if in possession of an authorization issued by Immigration at the Ministry of Public Security, or the corresponding provincial entities.
Road accidents are a major cause of death in Vietnam. The causes of this phenomenon are related to the poor condition of roads, high traffic density of vehicles, ignorance or non-observance of basic rules of conduct to guide and lack of maintenance of circulating media. Driving at night is considered especially dangerous because of poor street lighting, the custom of maintaining the cross-beam, even when other vehicles and non-compliance, especially at crossings, even if regulated by traffic light systems. Therefore advised to use taxis or private drivers.
For motorcyclists and 'obligation to wear a helmet. E 'should wear their seat belts in vehicles will.
Pedestrians also have to pay close attention: the best way to cross the road is to maintain a consistent pace and avoid sudden acceleration.
Have been reported attacks on ships and boats and real acts of piracy in waters off Vietnam. Navigators must therefore use the necessary precautions.
Building security: the security situation in the accommodation facilities do not meet the minimum standards guaranteed by the current Italian legislation. Fires in public buildings or significant quantities clubs have caused numerous deaths in recent years.

Environmental Hazards: Vietnam, especially in the central provinces and the Mekong River Delta, is beaten by exceptional rains between June and October / November, often dramatically affecting local people. During typhoons - especially in the monsoon season (July to November throughout, sometimes nel'area also central in the month of December) - may occur landslides, mudslides and flooding. In some cases the violent typhoons have caused casualties and extensive damage to structures. During periods of increased risk and especially in the monsoon season and 'appropriate to consult reliable sources of information also via the Internet and, if necessary, contact the Embassy.
The best time to visit Vietnam from October to April when rainfall is low, humidity is not too high and temperatures are pleasant throughout the country. Even during the summer season it is advisable to guard against significant differences in temperature between the exterior and interior of buildings where air conditioning is very strong. Even with high temperature and overcast sky, and 'should protect the skin by sun exposure.

UXO: unexploded ordnance and landmines continue to cause accidents often fatal, especially in central provinces and Quang Tri in particular. In general, you should take special caution in the country roads, avoiding travel paths not beaten and collect objects. And 'interesting to see the website www.vietnam-landmines.org provides updated information on the danger arising from unexploded ordnance and mines.

Warnings
Courtesy and good manners are a must in Vietnam. The calm and a smile can help solve many problems, while considered aggressive behavior can cause complications and make small insurmountable obstacles encountered during a trip. The sloppiness in clothing may create mistrust with the local authorities.
It is not permissible for a stranger to share a hotel room with a Vietnamese citizen, or vice versa, if the two are not united in marriage.
Police officers usually do not speak any foreign language it is difficult to deal with them without the help of an interpreter. Before you file a complaint for acts constituting a crime you should contact the Consular Office of the Embassy, that they will provide appropriate advice. There have been cases of foreign nationals detained arbitrarily by police and forced to pay a fine for little or no irregularities.

Legislation planned for use and / or sale of drug consumption and trafficking of drugs is increasing in Vietnam. Local authorities define these phenomena "social evils" that are so severely punished by the penal code. The use of drugs is punished with imprisonment from 3 months to 2 years. Facilitating the use of drugs is punished, for large quantities, up to 20 years. For drug trafficking penalties can be imposed that reach, in case of high volumes, the capital. In this penalty were also condemned in the past foreign nationals.

Legislation scheduled for sexual abuse or violence against children: among the so-called "social evils" Vietnam also raises the abuses and violence committed against children or women. For such cases, the Vietnamese Criminal Code provides for very severe penalties, which may arrive, for the rape, to the death penalty.
It should be remembered that those who commit crimes abroad against children (sexual abuse, exploitation, prostitution), are being prosecuted on their return to Italy on the basis of the laws in force in our country.
In case of problems with local police (state detention or arrest) you should inform the Embassy for the necessary assistance.

Health situation

Healthcare provided by public hospitals in Vietnam and 'below European standards. However, in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City private hospitals are able to provide assistance at a sufficient level, at least in some areas (obstetrics, general medicine, laboratory tests). These structures should turn to emergency care, even if the rates are quite high and payable in advance. In case of illness or accident for which health interventions are needed most delicate and complex, it is therefore essential to transfer to Bangkok, Singapore or Hong Kong. For the purchase of medicines, pharmacists should consult reliable and proven reliability, due to the spread of counterfeit products.

WARNINGS
Given the high cost of health care and in cases where it is necessary to return or transfer to another country is ill advised to subscribe an insurance policy before the ad hoc in Vietnam include coverage of health costs on site and those relating to possible repatriation or transfer to another country of the patient.

Intestinal infections and cholera are recurrent with recurrence times the months of rain. From July 2008 the above diseases are increasing and are reported cases in metropolitan areas and in the capital. Therefore be observed measures of health and hygiene and food appropriate.

The water is not drinkable, and in some areas of the country is potentially infected with viruses, parasites and bacteria or chemicals. It is therefore recommended to drink only bottled water and eating fruit peel, preferably, avoiding raw vegetables and ice in drinks. You should not eat cooked foods for sale in the many stalls in streets. Meat and fish should be eaten well cooked. The poor hygiene of food and 'was recently due to outbreaks of cholera.

In Vietnam, the higher the risk of contracting typhoid, hepatitis A, hepatitis B (highly endemic), and tetanus, diphtheria el'encefalite Japanese. For these diseases may be useful to undergo vaccination, the administration of which must always be performed under direct medical supervision and advice from the medical case. E 'Council after receiving medical advice, vaccination against Japanese encephalitis for those who plan to stay long in the country.

The risk of contracting malaria is now non-existent in large cities and the coast. However, there are some areas where this risk remains, especially the Central Highlands (Kon Tum, Play Ku, Dac Lac, Buon Ma, Thuot, Xoai Dong, Bao Loc), coastal areas of the South (Ca Mau, all 'extreme tip of the Mekong Delta, as well as' Can Tho and My Tho) and the mountainous regions of North America (Sapa, Lao Cai, Son La, Dien Bien Phu).

Dengue hemorrhagic type is also present but also in major cities and may increase during the rainy season. The southern provinces are most affected, particularly in the Mekong Delta. The local health authorities have stepped up preventive and control measures against the spread of the epidemic.
Since there are no effective vaccines against malaria or dengue should be adopted, while within the country, preventive measures against mosquito bites listed under "FOCUS" on the home page of this site.

Vietnam has recorded some cases of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) in 2003 and avian influenza since 2004. Beginning of 2008 there were five deaths from avian influenza, the last of which in March reported in Thanh Liem district (province of Ha Nam). Since 2004 there have been 106 human cases including 52 deaths. The Vietnamese authorities maintain constant vigilance on the spread of new outbreaks especially in the season when average temperatures are generally lower. For further instructions, see the brochure entitled "Avian influenza: risk, information and preventive measures" listed on the home page of this site.

STDs such as HIV / AIDS, hepatitis C, syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes simplex are widespread and the number of patients on the rise. Consequently it is important to remember to take the necessary precautions.