Is it safe to visit Bui Vien Street & How to protect yourself? Similar to Khaosan in Thailand, Ta Hien Street in Hanoi, Bui Vien Street is one of the most vibrant street in Ho Chi Minh City, a great place to chill out, meet your friends, make new friends, enjoy some beers, food pairings, street food, live music, dance music, and dance shows. The street is located in the famous Saigon Backpacker Area which is known as the best place for budget travelers. In recent days, Bui Vien becomes one of the most busiest and noisiest walking street in the city. The street is turned into a pedestrian zone from 19:00 to 2:00 (on the next day) at weekends. No vehicle is allowed and Bui Vien is the most crowded. On weekday nights, it is less crowded but it is still fun enough for you to visit. During the day, there are many vehicles on the streets. A few bars, pubs, cafes are open in the daytime, all of them are open in the evening when Saigoneses finish their works and travelers have free time after finishing day tours. Many Vietnamese and foreign visitors consider if they should visit Bui Vien Street because they may have heard that it is not safe there.
Would you like to book tours in Ho Chi Minh City? Please contact Tracy Do & Bill Bui at +84938314386 (Whatsapp/iMessage/Viber/SMS) for detailed information and the best price for your group.
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Why is Bui Vien Street a safe place in Ho Chi Minh?
Ho Chi Minh – a fastest growing city
The economic engine of Vietnam is among 10 major cities in the world, it has experienced especially strong wealth growth over the past decade (from 2012 to 2022). The population of the city has grown, it reaches 8,9 millions of people. People move to Ho Chi Minh City because of quality life, opportunities of employment, quality education. Travelers from all over the world visit Vietnam thanks to the vibrant nightlife, stimulating cultural activities, French buildings, historical sites such as the 250-km Cu Chi Tunnels,… A large number of foreign businessmen, engineers, and foreigners working in other occupations go to Ho Chi Minh City on business. More and more expats live in the city. Certainly, Saigon is safer and safer.
The development of tourism industry in Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City
Since 1990s, Vietnam’s tourism industry has transformed with important breakthroughs. There are more policies that help motivate for tourism industry and tourists.
Friendly and hospitable Vietnamese people and Saigoneses
Vietnamese people, especially Saigon people, basically speaking, are easy-going, generous, friendly, helpful and hospitable. They make this city one of the most comfortable and easiest cites to travel. In Bui Vien Street, you will feel like being in your country because vendors, waiters, waitresses, cashiers, even people sitting at close tables at a pubs welcome you to visit Ho Chi Minh City. If you need any help, you can easily find a kind local to help you.
Is it safe to visit Bui Vien Street & How to protect yourself?
More and more local people speak English well
There are many benefits to travel in a city where local people can speak English. Waiters at eateries and drinking places speak English well. Vendors can speak a little English: numbers, money, food,
basic communication. This is one of the reasons why many foreigners find it convenient to enjoy their time in Bui Vien Street.
Information is becoming more and more popular
Warnings, advices, tips can be found and read easily on the Internet. In forums, on social media sites and apps, travel magazines, travel books and guides, you can learn so much about Bui Vien Street. So you know about the street before your trip and also know how to protect yourself at the street.
The police keep watching the walking street
Bui Vien is one of the two walking streets and one of the most crowded streets in Saigon, especially at night. So militia and police are present when the street is crowded, at weekends, on special occasions.
Is it safe to visit Bui Vien Street & How to protect yourself?
Top tips to stay safe on your visit to Bui Vien Street
Drunk guys
At first, I would like to recommend that you should not drink too much when you are in the street. Local beers sold at pubs and bars, restaurants and street food stalls are about 5% alcohol. Non-alcoholic (0.05%) beer is a good recommendation for people who would like to have fun and sip some beers. One or a few beer cans or bottles are enough. Moreover, it is recommended not to drink strong alcoholic drinks in Bui Vien. Many travelers drink more heavily than they ever do in their country. There are potential dangers of excessive drinking while traveling in Ho Chi Minh City as well as any city in the world. There are some reasons why you should not drink alcohol too much:
- Alcoholic beverages are expensive. A beer can costs from 15,000 VND ($0.5 USD), but you drink 10 cans or bottles, the total cost is 150,000 VND. You can buy 3 meals with that money.
- It causes you to do embarrassing things and illegal things.
- Alcohol makes you forget something and it is easily to loose your money.
- You are targeted by crime.
- Drinking make you waste your time in Bui Vien Street.
Argues and combats
You should know how to protect yourself from fights at such a complicated place:
- It is recommended to not be drunk.
- You should not be in Bui Vien Street alone.
- Your surroundings should be always aware.
- It is important to not start any argue or fight.
- You should know exactly what time to leave.
- Travelers should always watch their mouths.
- If you are attacked or get injured, it is necessary to ask the staff for help.
Pickpockets
Bui Vien Street is crowded and busy, some bars are packed with customers sitting at tables close together. In addition, most locals and travelers visit the street at the night time when it is dark or dim at pubs and bars. It is easily for pickpockets to steal wallets, jewelry pieces, watches, cash, and other valuable things of visitors.
- You should not carry anything too expensive, too much cash, important documents on your visit to Bui Vien.
- Secondly, you should anchor your bag and choose a bag which help to protect against pickpockets.
- Your money should be portioned, should not be kept in one place.
- Back and front pockets are not good places to keep your wallet and money.
- It is fun and you may be overwhelmed in Bui Vien Street. Sometimes, you forget to watch out your belongings. You must be always in a defensive position.
- It is not wasteful to buy pick-pocket proof supplies.
Is it safe to visit Bui Vien Street & How to protect yourself?
Snatch theft
Snatch theft is a criminal act of forcefully stealing personal properties of a pedestrian by employing rob-and-run tactics. In recent years, visitors know how to protect themselves when being in Vietnam. Here are some useful advice:
- Use anti snatch theft travel bag. Do not use a hand bag which can be snatched easily.
- Minimize your properties and divide them into some parts which are kept in different places.
- Wear your bag on the side away from motorbike rider and car driver.
- Go to Bui Vien Street with your friends or local guide.
- Put your hand on your shoulder bag when walking in the street. Wear your backpack on the front.
Food hygiene and safety
Every day, hundreds of visitors eat in Bui Vien Street. Basically, it is rather safe to eat there. There are many choices, the most popular food and drinks are:
- Vietnamese traditional dishes such as hot pot, rice noodle soup, steamed rice and side dishes.
- Seafood dishes: shrimp, lobster, crab, ocean crab, ocean crab leg, scallop, clam, muscle,…
- BBQ: pork, beef, organ meat, chicken, vegetables,…
- Snail dishes
- Smoothies
- Soy bean pudding
- Fried corn
- Grilled fried squid
- Italian food, Indian food, American food, European food
- Beer food pairings
- Fruits
Protect yourself with these tips for eating safe in Bui Vien Street:
- Raw food such as raw vegetables are not 100% safe because they can have bacteria like E. coli, salmonella, and listeria. Many grilled dishes are served with raw vegetables, it is great to eat the food with aromatic and flavorful vegetables. You should check if the veggies are fresh and clean. If you are not sure about them, you should not eat. You can tell them to blanch vegetables before serving them with noodle soup dishes.
- Similarly, undercooked food is harmful to your health. So you should never forget checking if your food is well-done. When ordering Pho noodle soup, you should choose the well-done beef option instead of rare or medium beef options.
- Before choosing an eatery, you should look out for busy vendors and crowded restaurants.
- You should never order, eat, and drink too much at a restaurant, bar, pub, or street food vendor.
- It is better to drink bottled and canned drinks.
Is it safe to visit Bui Vien Street & How to protect yourself?
Best means of transportation to get to Bui Vien Street
Because motorbike and car parking lots around Bui Vien are limited, you should not drive your motorbike or car to the walking street. Vietnam’s law stipulates that drivers must be completely sober, they must not have downed any amount of alcoholic drinks, while operating cars, motorcycles, bicycles,… You should take a taxi or a motorbike ride to the street. Or you can book a tour on which they take you to Bui Vien.
What is the best time to visit Bui Vien Street?
You should consider going to Bui Vien Street on special occasions such as Christmas Eve, Halowen Day, Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day when it is more crowded and busier. There are many crazy events and music shows, mini circus performances, and fun activities to join. If you decide to go, you should be more careful.
Night time is the best time to visit the street to chill out, have fun, and hype. How to be safe at night?
It is not recommended to visit the street during the day if you want to see the real of Bui Vien Street. In the morning and the afternoon, a few bars and pubs, cafes, and drink stalls are open, you can enjoy some drinks and listen to music. Many restaurants are open and you can choose to have breakfast and lunch there. At night, street food vendors serving BBQ and seafood dishes are open and it is a perfect choice to enjoy some amazing Saigon specialties. You should not stay out late and be in Bui Vien Street after midnight.
Would you like to book tours in Ho Chi Minh City? Please contact Tracy Do & Bill Bui at +84938314386 (Whatsapp/iMessage/Viber/SMS) for detailed information and the best price for your group.
