{"id":377,"date":"2019-06-22T12:57:09","date_gmt":"2019-06-22T12:57:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=173933"},"modified":"2019-06-22T12:57:09","modified_gmt":"2019-06-22T12:57:09","slug":"is-southeast-asia-safe-for-travelers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/2019\/06\/22\/is-southeast-asia-safe-for-travelers\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Southeast Asia Safe for Travelers?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nPosted:<\/strong> 6\/22\/2019 | June 22nd, 2019<\/p>\n

Southeast Asia<\/a> is one of the most popular regions in the world for backpackers and budget travelers. It\u2019s home to a well-worn travel trail that dates back to the 1960s and \u201970s, stretching across Thailand<\/a>, Myanmar<\/a>, Cambodia<\/a>, Laos<\/a>, Vietnam<\/a>, Malaysia<\/a>, the Philippines<\/a>, Indonesia<\/a>, and Singapore<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been visiting the area regularly since 2004 (I even spent a few years living in Thailand<\/a>). It really does have something for everyone: bustling cities, delicious food, spectacular diving, lots of outdoor activities, historic sites \u2014 the list goes on.<\/p>\n

Best of all? It\u2019s budget friendly!<\/p>\n

But is Southeast Asia safe?<\/p>\n

That\u2019s a question I get asked often, especially by solo travelers (or their worried families).<\/p>\n

Generally speaking, Southeast Asia is incredibly safe. In fact, it\u2019s one of the safest regions in the world.<\/p>\n

You aren\u2019t going to really face any physical danger, and it\u2019s rare to even get robbed or mugged. People are nice, respectful, and friendly.<\/p>\n

That said, here’s everything you need to know to stay safe in Southeast Asia!<\/p>\n

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Table of Contents<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. 11 Ways to Stay Safe in Southeast Asia<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. 5 Common Scams in Southeast Asia<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Is the food safe in Southeast Asia?<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Can You Drink the Tap Water in Southeast Asia?<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Are Taxis Safe in Southeast Asia?<\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Is Southeast Asia Safe for Solo Travelers?<\/a><\/li>\n
  7. Is Southeast Asia Safe for Solo Female Travelers?<\/a><\/li>\n
  8. Should You Visit Southeast Asia?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

     <\/p>\n

    11 Ways to Stay Safe in Southeast Asia<\/h3>\n

    Staying safe in Southeast Asia doesn’t take a lot of work. Southeast Asia is an incredibly safe place to backpack and travel \u2013 even if you\u2019re traveling solo, and even as a solo female traveler. Violent attacks are rare. There are some common scams around, like the motorbike scam where vendors try to charge you for damage to their bike, but for the most part, this is a safe place to travel. People are nice and helpful and you\u2019re unlikely to get into trouble. The people who do tend to be involved with drinking or drugs or sex tourism. Stay away from that stuff and you\u2019ll be fine. That said, here are 11 ways to ensure nothing is going to happen on your trip:<\/p>\n

    1. Watch for purse-snatchers<\/strong> \u2013 Purse-snatching is rare, but it does happen. To avoid the most common types of theft, don\u2019t wear your purse or bag over just one shoulder \u2014 instead, wear it across the front of your body. Also, many purse-snatchers will be on a scooter, so take particular caution when walking alongside traffic.<\/p>\n

    2. Be extra careful in traffic<\/strong> \u2013 Most injuries in Southeast Asia are caused by vehicles. Be especially careful walking in hectic cities like Hanoi or if you are driving (especially scooters).<\/p>\n

    3. Don\u2019t do drugs<\/strong> \u2013 Drugs like marijuana are easily accessible in Southeast Asia (especially in party locations, like the Full Moon Party). But they are illegal! Fines are heavy \u2014 and if you get caught, expect to spend time in jail or pay a hefty bribe. Save yourself the hassle and don\u2019t do any drugs while you\u2019re in the region.<\/p>\n

    4. Wear a helmet<\/strong> \u2013 If you\u2019re renting or riding a scooter or motorbike, be sure to wear a helmet. Also wear proper clothing and footwear. I\u2019ve seen a lot of road rash during my time in Southeast Asia!<\/p>\n

    5. Look out for bedbugs<\/strong> \u2013 Unfortunately, bedbugs are a reality in Southeast Asia. Though rare, you will likely encounter them at some point if you\u2019re traveling around the region for any length of time. Always check your accommodation in advance. If it looks dirty, simply move on. Also, never put your backpack on your bed. That way, if the bed is contaminated, at least your backpack won\u2019t also be contaminated.<\/p>\n

    6. Bring a lock<\/strong> \u2013 While theft in dorm rooms is rare, you don\u2019t want to take any chances. Hostels almost always have lockers available. Bring a lock so you can store your possessions safely while you\u2019re out and about.<\/p>\n

    7. Hide your valuables<\/strong> \u2013 When you\u2019re out exploring, keep your wallet and valuables hidden in your backpack (or leave them loved up in your accommodation). Carry some cash in your pockets, but keep your cards and other valuables out of reach. Most theft is opportunistic, so if you\u2019re vigilant, you\u2019ll have nothing to worry about!<\/p>\n

    8. Don\u2019t party solo<\/strong> \u2013 Make sure if you\u2019re out partying that you do it with friends or people you can trust. Don\u2019t get so drunk that you can\u2019t get home safely. (If you\u2019re taking part in the Full Moon Party in Thailand<\/a>, you can find specific safety tips in this blog post<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

    9. Keep your passport<\/strong> \u2013 Never give away your passport as a deposit when booking things like accommodation or rentals. Always make sure you get it back, or else you might not see it again. (And be sure to keep a digital scan of your passport in your email inbox just in case.)<\/p>\n

    10. Stay away from animals<\/strong> \u2013 Stray dogs (as well as monkeys) often carry diseases, such as rabies (which can be fatal). To avoid getting bitten, don\u2019t pet stray dogs or wild monkeys.<\/p>\n

    11. Buy travel insurance<\/strong> \u2013 While Southeast Asia is generally safe, unexpected incidents can still occur. Cover yourself by buying travel insurance<\/a>. It has the potential to save you thousands of dollars while also giving you peace of mind. I never leave home without it!
    \n <\/p>\n

    5 Common Scams in Southeast Asia<\/h3>\n

    While Southeast Asia is generally quite safe, there are still a few common travel scams<\/a>. Here are four of the most common scams \u2014 and how you can avoid getting fooled by them!<\/p>\n

    1. The Taxi\/Tuk-tuk Overcharge<\/strong>
    \nThis is one of the most common travel scams out there \u2014 you\u2019ll encounter it all across Southeast Asia. Either the driver will tell you the taxi meter is broken and try to charge you a high rate, or you\u2019ll see the cost on the meter skyrocket faster than Superman!<\/p>\n

    For tuk-tuks, you\u2019ll need to negotiate in advance, because drivers will quote a price much higher than what the ride should cost. To avoid being ripped off, you\u2019ll first need to know how much your ride should cost. The best way to figure this out is to ask your hostel or hotel staff for a quote so you have a frame of reference (or google it, if you\u2019re just arriving).<\/p>\n

    If the driver tries to negotiate the rate with you, offer them the correct rate. If they refuse, just leave and find someone who will put the meter on. (Then, if the meter seems to be going up too quickly, have them pull over and get out.)<\/p>\n

    Many tourism boards let you report bad cab drivers, so be sure to always make a mental note of their ID number when you get in the cab.<\/p>\n

    2. Motorbike Scam <\/strong>
    \nSoutheast Asia is a great place to rent a scooter or motorcycle and get off the beaten path. But there is a common scam you\u2019ll want to be aware of.<\/p>\n

    Here\u2019s how it goes: You\u2019ll rent a bike and then when you bring it back, the owner will demand additional payment or expensive repairs because there is some \u201cdamage\u201d you didn\u2019t know about. Sometimes the owner will send someone to mess with the bike or steal it so you have to pay.<\/p>\n

    To avoid this, take photos of the bike first to document any previous damage. Go around it with the owner so they know what you are taking pictures of.<\/p>\n

    Once you rent it, use your own lock and keep the bike out of sight and off main streets when you park it.<\/p>\n

    Also, always make sure you buy travel insurance<\/a> so you can make a claim if there is an issue.<\/p>\n

    3. Your Attraction is Closed for Lunch <\/strong>
    \nI admit, I have fallen for this one before. A friendly local will approach you and inform you that the attraction you want to visit (often a temple) is closed for any number of reasons (religious ceremony, holiday, etc.).<\/p>\n

    They\u2019ll then try to guide you to a different attraction (or often a shop), where you\u2019re heavily pressured to purchase something or pay a high admission price.<\/p>\n

    To avoid this scam, be sure to ask your accommodation staff before you leave to confirm that the attraction is open. Then find the main entrance or ticket counter and see for yourself. Opening and closing times are almost always available online too, so you can often look them up just to be safe.<\/p>\n

    Generally speaking, most attractions in Southeast Asia don\u2019t close for lunch. They either close for the day or not at all.<\/p>\n

    4. The Drug Deal Gone Bad<\/strong>
    \nThis scam is common anywhere there is a party in Southeast Asia. You\u2019ll be in a popular tourist area (    usually a party place<\/a>) and someone will offer you drugs.<\/p>\n

    If you say yes, before you know it, a real cop is will be on the scene! They\u2019ll insist that they are going to arrest you unless you can pay a hefty fine right there (i.e., a bribe).<\/p>\n

    Caught red-handed, you\u2019ll probably pay the bribe rather than go to jail. Simply put: Don\u2019t buy drugs in other countries!<\/p>\n

    5. The Taxi Scam <\/strong>
    \nOnly use taxis that use a meter. If the meter is rigged or they refuse to use it, just get out and find a new taxi (more on this below!).
    \n <\/p>\n

    Is the Food Safe in Southeast Asia?<\/a><\/h3>\n

    If the food weren\u2019t safe here, I\u2019d likely never come back. Street food is almost always safe (it\u2019s important to the cultures of the locals). In fact, it\u2019s usually more safe than restaurants, because the operation is so simple and the turnover so fast.<\/p>\n

    When looking for somewhere to eat, find a place with a crowd, as well as one with children \u2014 if parents think it\u2019s safe for the kids, then it\u2019s safe for you! Anywhere with a lot of people (specifically locals) is a good indicator that the food is both good and safe.<\/p>\n

    Be sure to wash your hands before eating (hand sanitizer is good for that), as you\u2019ll likely have been out and about all day and may have picked up all sorts of germs.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Can You Drink the Tap Water in Southeast Asia?<\/a><\/h3>\n

    The tap water in Southeast Asia will vary from country to country, but as a general rule I would not recommend you drink the water unless you have a water purifier like the Lifestraw<\/a> or Steripen<\/a>.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Are Taxis Safe in Southeast Asia?<\/a><\/h3>\n

    Taxis in Southeast Asia are safe \u2014 but they also have a reputation for overcharging (see above) or taking longer routes to dive up the fare.<\/p>\n

    Always make sure your driver is using the meter (and that the meter is not moving overly quickly). If you encounter a problem, simply get out and find a new taxi.<\/p>\n

    A better option is Grab or Uber (depending on where you are). You\u2019ll be able to see your driver, track your ride, and make complaints if you have a problem. It\u2019s the best way to get around, when available.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Is Southeast Asia Safe for Solo Travelers?<\/a><\/h3>\n

    Southeast Asia is one of the best places in the world for solo travelers. There are tons visiting the region each and every year, many of them traveling solo for the first time (it\u2019s great for both new and veteran travelers alike).<\/p>\n

    With a little common sense, a solo traveler won\u2019t have to worry much about safety here. There is a well-worn backpacker trail, so you\u2019ll never be far from other travelers. That means it\u2019s easy to meet people in case you decide you\u2019d rather travel in a group for some (or all) of your trip.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Is Southeast Asia Safe for Solo Female Travelers?<\/a><\/h3>\n

    Female travelers have additional safety concerns they need to be aware of. That being said, Southeast Asia is still one of the best (and most safe) regions for solo female travel<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    By following the tips above, as well as the same precautions you\u2019d take at home (such as not wandering alone at night intoxicated, keeping an eye on your drink while at the bar, etc.), a solo female traveler will be able to have an amazing visit to Southeast Asia without worrying too much about her safety.<\/p>\n

    And as mentioned above, with so many solo travelers \u2014 including many women \u2014 in the region, it\u2019s easy to find others to spend time with in case you\u2019re feeling insecure or unsafe.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Should You Visit Southeast Asia?<\/a><\/h3>\n

    So, is Southeast Asia<\/a> safe?<\/p>\n

    Absolutely!<\/p>\n

    It’s super unlikely that anything will happen. And even less so if you follow the advice listed above.<\/p>\n

    Be sure to get travel insurance just in case something goes wrong. The past is not prologue and you always want to play it safe. Travel insurance was there when I lost my bag, broke my camera, and popped an eardrum while diving in Thailand. I never expected those things to happen and was glad I had insurance! You can use the widget below to look up the travel insurance policy that is right for you (or just click here to go to their website directly<\/a>):
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