Is Da Nang Safe? Scams and Street Safety for Foreigners
UK government advice calls violent crime against foreigners in Vietnam rare, but petty theft occurs regularly and motorcycle bag-snatching is common. The costly risks are a fake hotel page taking a deposit of typically 30–50% of the room rate, a passport left as a rental guarantee and an unlicensed taxi.
On this page
- Is Da Nang safe? What the UK government says
- Bag and phone snatching from motorbikes
- Taxis and ride-hailing
- Fake hotel pages and deposit scams
- Rentals: passport deposits and money changers
- Nightlife, drinks and street vendors
- Solo women and getting home at night
- Riding and driving
- Who to call
- Common questions
Is Da Nang safe? What the UK government says
UK government advice calls violent crime against foreigners in Vietnam rare, but says petty theft and pickpocketing occur regularly. It adds that petty crime typically rises around Christmas and Tet. That page covers Vietnam as a whole and has no Da Nang section, and no government crime figure for Da Nang was found, so read it as a national baseline.
The risks that cost newcomers money are snatched bags, a passport held by a landlord, a fake booking page and an unlicensed taxi.
| Risk | What the advice says | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Bag or phone snatching from a motorbike | Common | Hold the bag in front of you or on the side away from traffic |
| Passport kept by a shop or landlord | Can be held against claimed damage | Never hand it over as a guarantee |
| Fake hotel page | Deposit of 30–50% asked, page deleted after | Pay only through a booking platform |
| Unlicensed taxi | Linked to assaults in tourist areas | Use Grab or XanhSM |
| Bought-in drinks | Methanol cases from licensed venues in tourist areas | Keep your drink in sight |
Bag and phone snatching from motorbikes
UK government advice says bag-snatching by thieves on motorcycles is common. Hold the bag in front of you or on the side away from traffic, and be aware of motorcycles approaching as you walk.
The advice also says to be prepared to surrender your valuables rather than risk injury in a struggle. A phone held loosely at a kerb while you read a map is the usual target.
Taxis and ride-hailing
The UK advice calls metered taxis from larger firms generally reliable. It says to make sure the driver identifies themself before setting off.
For late-night trips it recommends pre-arranged transport or official apps such as Grab or XanhSM, which supply licensed cabs. It also warns of scammers who claim to be from those companies, and says to book your full journey on the app.
Be cautious about offers of free bus transfers to hotels unless you organised them in advance. Route and fare details are in Da Nang airport to the city.
Fake hotel pages and deposit scams
In May 2025, Da Nang City Police warned of fake pages disguised as official 4- and 5-star hotel fanpages. Ads offered rooms at VND 300,000–500,000 a night.
Once a user shows interest, the scammers ask for a deposit, typically 30–50% of the room rate, and promise full refunds if the booking is cancelled. After the money arrives the page is deleted, and the numbers are typically untraceable prepaid SIM cards.
The police advice is short:
- Never transfer deposits to personal bank accounts.
- Verify the hotel through its website or the verified phone number on Google Maps.
- Treat five-star rooms at one-half or one-third of market rates as highly suspicious.
A Da Nang hotel’s own page describes a second version. The fake site asks you to top up a wallet on its platform, and your money is “held hostage” there.
The same fake-page pattern targets locals. In February 2026, Da Nang police said they had dismantled a Cambodia-based ring that impersonated Vietcombank and swindled more than 1,200 people nationwide. It used fake Facebook pages and virtual hotline numbers beginning with 028999.
Rentals: passport deposits and money changers
UK government advice says not to give your passport to others as a guarantee, for example to motorcycle rental shops or landlords. They can hold it against claimed damage.
Motorbike rules and prices are in motorbike rental in Da Nang, and deposit rules for flats in rental deposit in Vietnam.
Change money only at official exchange counters with a clear sign showing that status. Changing it elsewhere is illegal, and you risk losing the money. For ATM fees, see ATM fees for foreign cards.
Nightlife, drinks and street vendors
UK government advice reports that methanol poisoning cases have resulted from drinks bought in licensed bars, shops and hotels in tourist areas. Methanol cannot be identified by taste or smell.
It tells visitors to buy their own drinks and keep them in sight to avoid spiking. It also says to avoid liquor or cigarettes from street vendors or strangers, since authenticity cannot be assured.
Solo women and getting home at night
UK government advice reports assaults in the main tourist areas and in places where foreigners live, often linked to unlicensed taxi drivers. Women have also reported indecent assaults and harassment, including inappropriate touching, particularly while walking alone.
The practical rule from that advice is to book transport on an official app before you leave. Book the full journey on the app, because scammers pose as the companies.
Riding and driving
UK government advice says travelling by motorbike in Vietnam is much riskier than in the UK. A driver in an accident could face criminal charges and may need to pay compensation to injured people, even if the injuries are minor.
Licence rules are in buying or renting a motorbike. Beach risks are in swimming safety in Da Nang.
Who to call
Call 113 for the police and 115 for a medical emergency. The emergency numbers guide lists the city citizen hotline and hospital numbers.
A 2018 report said visitors could use a city tourism hotline to report scams, overcharging and soliciting. Whether that line still takes such reports is not confirmed.
Still open: a current government crime figure for Da Nang — none found.
Not confirmed: No Da Nang crime statistic from a government source was found, so how Da Nang compares with other cities is not confirmed. The city tourism hotline from a 2018 report is not confirmed as current.
Common questions
Is Da Nang safe for tourists and expats?
UK government advice says violent crime against foreigners is rare, while petty theft and pickpocketing occur regularly. It names bag-snatching by thieves on motorcycles as common.
Is Da Nang safe for a woman walking alone at night?
The same advice reports assaults in tourist areas and places where foreigners live, often linked to unlicensed taxi drivers. Women have also reported harassment, particularly while walking alone. It advises pre-arranged transport or official apps such as Grab or XanhSM.
Are taxis in Da Nang a scam?
The UK advice calls metered taxis from larger firms generally reliable. It says to make sure the driver identifies themself before setting off, and to book the full journey on the app when using Grab or XanhSM.
How do fake hotel booking scams work in Da Nang?
Da Nang City Police described fake pages copying 4- and 5-star hotels, with ads for rooms at VND 300,000–500,000 a night. Victims are asked for a deposit of typically 30–50%, and the page is deleted after payment.
Who do I call in an emergency in Da Nang?
Call 113 for the police and 115 for a medical emergency. More numbers: the Da Nang emergency numbers guide.
Is it safe to ride a motorbike in Da Nang?
UK government advice says travelling by motorbike in Vietnam is much riskier than in the UK. A driver in an accident could face criminal charges and compensation claims, even for minor injuries.
Next in Living in Da Nang
General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
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