Vietnam Emergency Number Guide: Who to Call in an Emergency

Vietnam welcomes millions of international visitors each year. While most trips are trouble-free, knowing the correct emergency numbers can help travelers respond quickly if an unexpected situation occurs.

Vietnam has three main emergency numbers: 113 for police, 114 for fire and rescue, and 115 for ambulance services. Travelers can dial these numbers directly from mobile phones or landlines while in Vietnam. For general rescue situations, 112 can also provide emergency assistance.

What Is the Vietnam Emergency Number?

Vietnam has separate emergency numbers for different types of emergencies rather than a single nationwide emergency number.

The three main emergency numbers are:

Emergency Service	Number	When to Call
Police	113	Crimes, theft, assaults, public safety emergencies, or immediate police assistance
Fire and Rescue	114	Fires, gas leaks, rescue operations, and hazardous incidents
Ambulance	115	Medical emergencies, serious injuries, or urgent ambulance services

These services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Vietnam Police Emergency Number (113)

Call 113 if you experience situations such as:

• Theft or robbery
• Assault or violent incidents
• Report passport theft or loss to the local police to obtain an official report, then contact your embassy or consulate for replacement assistance.
• Traffic accidents requiring police assistance
• Public disturbances
• Personal safety concerns

If your passport has been stolen, reporting the incident to the local police is often necessary before contacting your embassy or consulate to apply for an emergency travel document.

A simple guide to Vietnam emergency numbers when needed

What Information Should You Provide?

When calling the police, try to provide:

• Your exact location
• Nature of the emergency
• Number of people involved
• Any injuries
• Your phone number for follow-up

If possible, ask a Vietnamese speaker or your hotel staff to assist with communication.

Vietnam Fire and Rescue Number (114)

Call 114 immediately if you notice:

• Building fires
• Vehicle fires
• Forest fires
• Gas leaks
• Chemical hazards
• People trapped in buildings
• Rescue situations following storms or floods

Never attempt to fight a large fire yourself. Move to a safe location before calling emergency services.

Vietnam Ambulance Number (115)

Dial 115 for urgent medical situations, including:

• Serious injuries
• Heart attack symptoms
• Stroke symptoms
• Severe allergic reactions
• Difficulty breathing
• Major traffic accidents
• Loss of consciousness

Ambulance response times vary depending on your location. In large cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, medical services are generally faster than in rural or mountainous areas.

For minor illnesses, many travelers choose to visit an international clinic or private hospital directly.

Knowing the correct Vietnam emergency number helps residents and tourists get fast assistance in urgent situations

Other Useful Emergency Contacts for Travelers

Besides the primary emergency services, these contacts may also be helpful during your stay.

Tourist Police

Some major tourist destinations have tourist support services or local tourism offices that assist international visitors, especially in busy areas such as:

• Hanoi
• Ho Chi Minh City
• Da Nang
• Hoi An
• Nha Trang
• Phu Quoc

If you need directions, assistance after losing belongings, or help communicating with local authorities, your hotel or local tourism office can direct you to the appropriate service.

Your Embassy or Consulate

Contact your country's embassy or consulate if you:

• Lose your passport
• Need emergency travel documents
• Require legal assistance
• Need help during major emergencies

Save your embassy's contact information before arriving in Vietnam.

Travel Insurance Emergency Hotline

If you purchased travel insurance, keep the insurer's emergency assistance number accessible. Many providers offer:

• 24-hour medical support
• Hospital referrals
• Medical evacuation coordination
• Translation services
• Claims assistance

Contacting your insurer before receiving non-emergency treatment may help simplify reimbursement.

Tourist-Specific Help (Not Quite an Emergency, But Close)

Not every bad situation needs the police. For scams, overcharging, aggressive touts, or general travel trouble:

• Ho Chi Minh City runs a tourist support line through the city's Department of Tourism — the 1022 public service hotline may provide information and assistance for certain local issues. Availability and tourism-related support options can change, so checking with your hotel or local tourism office is recommended.
• Hanoi and Da Nang have tourist information centers in their main districts that can help mediate disputes with vendors, taxis, or tour operators, though phone hotlines change more often than the core emergency numbers — your hotel front desk is usually the fastest way to get a current number.

Keep Vietnam emergency numbers handy to quickly contact during an emergency

Trick for Tourists: How to Call Vietnam Emergency Numbers

One quirk that catches many international tourists off guard is how the call is routed. The dialing process changes slightly depending on what type of phone line you are using.

Dialing from a Vietnamese Landline: No prefix needed.
If you are calling from a hotel room phone or a local landline, simply dial the 3-digit number directly (e.g., 113 for police).

Dialing from a mobile phone in Vietnam
Tourists can dial the emergency numbers directly from Vietnamese SIM cards or international roaming services:

• Police: 113
• Fire and Rescue: 114
• Ambulance: 115

No city or provincial area code is required.

Practical Safety Tips Before You Travel

A little preparation before your trip can make a big difference if an emergency occurs. Before arriving in Vietnam, take a few minutes to organize the following essentials:

• Save the emergency numbers in your phone contacts with clear labels, such as Vietnam Police (113), Ambulance (115), and Fire & Rescue (114), so you can find them instantly.
• Keep your hotel address in both English and Vietnamese. A screenshot or the hotel's business card can help taxi drivers or emergency responders locate you quickly.
• Save your embassy or consulate's contact details, including the address and emergency phone number, in case you lose your passport or require consular assistance.
• Store your travel insurance information offline, including the emergency assistance hotline and policy number. Some hospitals may request proof of insurance or payment before treatment.
• Carry a paper backup with important contacts, such as your hotel, embassy, travel insurer, and an emergency contact at home, in case your phone is lost, stolen, or runs out of battery.
• If your country offers a traveler registration program (such as the U.S. STEP program), consider enrolling before departure so your embassy can contact or assist you during major emergencies.

What to Do During an Emergency in Vietnam

If you experience an emergency while traveling in Vietnam:

1. Stay calm and move to a safe location if possible.
2. Identify the type of emergency so you can call the correct service:
   • 113 – Police
   • 114 – Fire & Rescue
   • 115 – Ambulance
3. Provide your exact location. Giving a hotel address, street name, GPS location, or nearby business is usually more helpful than describing landmarks.
4. Ask for local assistance if you don't speak Vietnamese. Hotel staff, tour guides, restaurant employees, or local residents can often communicate with emergency operators more effectively.
5. Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport is lost or stolen, or if you need legal or consular support after the immediate emergency has been handled.

Travelers in Vietnam should save local emergency numbers before exploring cities, beaches, and rural destinations

Additional Tips for Travelers

Emergency response times are faster than rural in major cities than in remote or mountainous areas. Response times depend on traffic conditions, distance, and availability of medical resources.

In less accessible regions, using a trusted taxi or ride-hailing service such as Grab to reach the nearest hospital may sometimes be faster than waiting for an ambulance, especially for non-life-threatening situations.

If you're planning activities such as motorbike touring, trekking, or boat trips, familiarize yourself with the nearest medical facilities and ensure your travel insurance covers these activities.

Good preparation, appropriate travel insurance, and knowing the correct emergency numbers are the best ways to reduce stress and respond quickly if something unexpected happens.

FAQs About Vietnam Emergency Number for Tourists

Is there one number for all emergencies in Vietnam, like 911?
No, Vietnam uses separate numbers by service: 113 for police, 114 for fire, and 115 for ambulance. Vietnam also operates 112 as a general emergency hotline for search and rescue, particularly for natural disasters, accidents, and situations requiring coordinated assistance.

Can tourists call Vietnam's emergency numbers?
Yes. Emergency calls are generally available without charge, although mobile service conditions may vary depending on your network provider.

Should I save Vietnam emergency numbers before my trip?
Yes, saving emergency numbers before you travel is a simple safety step that can save time during an urgent situation.

What should I do if I do not speak Vietnamese?
If you do not speak Vietnamese, ask hotel staff, a tour guide, or a local to help you explain the emergency clearly.

Do Vietnamese emergency operators speak English?
Sometimes, particularly in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, but it's not guaranteed anywhere. Having a translation app ready or a local contact who can speak for you significantly improves the odds of a fast, accurate response.

What should I do if I don't know my exact location?
Share your hotel name, a nearby landmark, or your live location from Google Maps. Dispatchers in major cities are generally used to working with imprecise locations from tourists.

Is it faster to call 115 or just go to a hospital myself?
For serious, life-threatening emergencies, call 115. For anything less urgent — a bad fall, food poisoning, a high fever — taking a taxi or Grab directly to an international-standard hospital is often faster than waiting for an ambulance, especially outside the city center.

What number should I call if my passport is stolen?
Report the theft to the police on 113 to get an official police report, which you'll need for a replacement passport, then contact your embassy or consulate directly — they handle passport emergencies, not the police hotline.

In conclusion

Vietnam is a welcoming destination for travelers, but knowing the correct emergency number adds peace of mind to every trip. Save the main numbers: 113 for police, 114 for fire, 115 for ambulance and medical emergencies, and 112 for search and rescue before you fly; keep your hotel and embassy contacts close, and travel with a little extra confidence.