- Abortion legal status
- Legal
- Emergency contraception
- Over the counter
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: hersafevoyage.com, travelfish.org
Good to know
Good to Know
- Emergency contraceptive pills are sold over the counter at ordinary Hanoi pharmacies without a prescription in most cases — you don't need to go to a clinic in an emergency, but check the brand and dosing instructions with the pharmacist since knowledge quality varies.
- If you want an assault to be legally actionable, a police-arranged forensic exam within 72 hours is generally required — a private hospital report alone typically won't be accepted as court evidence, so decide early if you intend to report.
- Most Vietnamese-run hotlines (CSAGA, the Peace House/CWD call center) operate primarily in Vietnamese, so foreign residents may want to loop in their embassy or a private English-speaking clinic (Family Medical Practice, Vinmec, Raffles Medical, Hanoi French Hospital) for medical and psychological support.
- IUD and implant insertion is far more expensive at Hanoi's private international clinics (roughly $140–$370 USD) than routine pharmacy contraception, but these clinics offer English-speaking staff, which many public facilities do not.
- Keep in mind that some emergency contraception brands (particularly mifepristone-based ones) may require a prescription even though levonorgestrel-based options generally do not.
- Vietnam's abortion law is genuinely liberal by regional standards — no reason needs to be given and it is legal up to 22 weeks — but practical access, cost, and required documentation vary a lot between the free public system and private clinics.
- If you don't speak Vietnamese, a private, foreigner-oriented clinic (e.g. Hanoi OBGYN Clinic) will be far more navigable than a public hospital, though you'll pay significantly more than the low national baseline public-system costs.
- Abortion pills cannot legally be bought over the counter at a pharmacy in Vietnam — a prescription from a certified doctor is required, so plan for a clinic visit rather than a pharmacy-only solution.
- Sex-selective abortion is illegal in Vietnam, so clinics may decline to disclose fetal sex before a certain pregnancy stage in some contexts.
Street, Night and Taxi Safety
Street Harassment
Catcalling and street harassment are described as relatively uncommon in Hanoi compared with other Southeast Asian cities, though scams and occasional unwanted attention from vendors or touts do cluster in touristy parts of the Old Quarter. Most sources describe this as more of an annoyance than a safety threat.
Walking Alone at Night
Central, well-lit, busy areas such as the Old Quarter, around Hoan Kiem Lake, and the French Quarter are generally considered fine for walking alone at night, since they stay lively with vendors and pedestrians into the evening. That said, one long-running travel guide has noted reports of single expat women in Hanoi being followed home or physically attacked, and advises against wandering unfamiliar or poorly lit streets alone, especially after midnight or on the outskirts.
Taxis and Ride-hailing
Sources consistently describe Grab as the safer choice over flagging down unmetered street taxis or motorbike taxis, since the app shows an upfront price, tracks the driver by GPS, and allows a trip to be shared with someone else. A documented risk at airports and stations is touts posing as Grab drivers who approach travelers directly and then switch to an unmarked, unmetered vehicle, so it's worth checking the license plate and driver photo against the app before getting in.
Bag Snatching and Petty Theft
The most frequently documented safety issue for women in Hanoi is opportunistic bag-snatching by thieves on motorbikes grabbing bags from sidewalks or cafe tables, rather than violent crime. Carrying a bag across the body on the side away from the road, and not sitting right at the curb in cafes, is the main precaution sources recommend.
Practical Precautions
Beyond using Grab and watching bags, commonly repeated advice includes sticking to well-lit, populated streets rather than quiet alleys after dark, agreeing on a price in writing before boarding a cyclo (rickshaw), and avoiding unlicensed motorbike taxi drivers who approach travelers directly on the street rather than through an app.
Abortion Law And OB-GYN
- Legal Status
- Fully legal and regulated
- Legal Summary
- Abortion is legal in Vietnam and has been available on request since the late 1980s under the country's family-planning framework. There is no requirement to state a reason for the abortion, and Vietnam's law is among the most liberal in Southeast Asia.
- Abortion Time Limits
- The 1989 Law on the Protection of People's Health (Article 44) and national reproductive health guidelines set an outer legal limit of 22 weeks of pregnancy, though official national health-service guidance recommends abortion only up to 18 weeks where possible, and the practical abortion time limit a woman can access varies by facility level: commune health clinics up to about 6 weeks, district health stations 6–12 weeks (some sources cite up to 18 weeks), and central/provincial hospitals 6–22 weeks. Sex-selective abortion is specifically illegal, though enforcement is inconsistent.
- Estimated Costs Note
- Nationally reported service costs (not Hanoi-specific) are very low in the public system and modestly higher in private clinics; foreigners at foreigner-oriented private clinics in Hanoi should expect meaningfully higher package pricing than these national baseline figures.
Access Routes
- Public hospitals and health centers (commune clinics, district health stations, provincial and central hospitals) provide abortion through the Ministry of Health network, generally at low cost or free for Vietnamese nationals; foreigners should expect to pay out of pocket and to need a Vietnamese-speaking companion or translator.
- Licensed private clinics and hospitals (including foreigner-oriented clinics) also provide medical and surgical abortion, generally with less bureaucracy and English-language support, but with less regulatory oversight than the public system.
- Both medical abortion (Mifepristone + Misoprostol) and surgical methods (Manual Vacuum Aspiration for early pregnancy, Dilatation & Evacuation for later pregnancies) are available; the method offered depends on weeks of pregnancy and facility level.
- Abortion pills are legally restricted to pharmacy sale only against a valid prescription or order slip from a certified doctor — they cannot be bought over the counter.
OB-GYN Options Hanoi
Hanoi French Hospital (HFH) — Obstetrics & Gynecology Department
- Area
- Phuong Mai Road, Dong Da District
- Languages
- Vietnamese, English, French
- Notes
- Long-established department serving Vietnamese and international women; internationally trained doctors and midwives; handles routine gynecology, prenatal care, and high-risk pregnancy management. No explicit public confirmation found that this hospital advertises abortion services — enquire directly.
Hanoi OBGYN Clinic
- Area
- Central Hanoi
- Languages
- English, Vietnamese
- Notes
- Foreigner-friendly, English-speaking private gynecology clinic that explicitly lists abortion among its services alongside STD testing, IUD placement, HPV vaccination, and prenatal care.
Vinmec International Hospital (Hanoi Branch)
- Area
- Times City / central Hanoi
- Languages
- English and other languages spoken by mixed-nationality medical staff
- Notes
- Part of the JCI-accredited Vinmec hospital network; offers English-speaking OBGYN care for general gynecology and maternity.
Family Medical Practice Hanoi
- Area
- Van Phuc Diplomatic Compound, Kim Ma Road
- Languages
- English and other languages via foreign doctors
- Notes
- Popular international clinic geared toward expats with insurance; offers gynecology among general and specialist services. Charges are typically in USD and are on the higher end.
International SOS Clinic Hanoi
- Area
- Hai Ba Trung, Hoan Kiem District (city center)
- Languages
- English
- Notes
- International medical clinic in the city center used by expats and travelers for general and referral care, including women's health referrals.
National GBV Hotlines
1900 96 96 80
- Name
- Peace House Shelter / Center for Women and Development (CWD) National Call Center
- Description
- 24/7 hotline and call center run under the Vietnam Women's Union supporting women and children experiencing gender-based violence, including sexual abuse; can refer to the Peace House Shelter in Hanoi (20 Thuy Khue, Tay Ho) for counseling, shelter, legal aid, and vocational support.
- Language Note
- Primarily Vietnamese-speaking staff.
CSAGA Hotline
- Description
- A free, confidential hotline for survivors of gender-based violence in Vietnam.
- Language Note
- Primarily Vietnamese-speaking staff.
National Child Protection Hotline
- Description
- 24/7 helpline dedicated to supporting children under 16 and adults regarding abuse-related concerns.
- Language Note
- Primarily Vietnamese-speaking staff.
Foreigner Specific Resources
U.S. Embassy Hanoi (for U.S. Citizens)
- Contact
- (024) 3850-5000 within Vietnam / +8424-3850-5000 internationally, available 24/7
- Description
- Can assist with information, translation support, and in some cases accompany a victim when seeking medical attention or making a police report.
British Embassy Hanoi (for UK Nationals)
- Contact
- +84 (0) 24 3936 0500
- Description
- Consular staff can provide information on local police and medical procedures and, where possible, accompany a victim to appointments; can also facilitate contact with police.
Hagar International
- Description
- NGO supporting women and children survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual abuse, providing free and safe accommodation, healthcare, psychological counselling, legal aid, and career training.
Medical/psychological Assistance for Assault Victims
- Description
- Hanoi-based private medical centers offering psychological and medical assistance to sexual assault victims include Family Medical Practice, Vinmec Hospital, Hanoi French Hospital, and Raffles Medical Hanoi.
IUD
- Availability
- Available by appointment at private international clinics in Hanoi; copper and hormonal (Mirena) options offered.
Options
Copper (Non-hormonal) IUD Insertion
- Price
- ₫3,734,600
- Provider Type
- Private international clinic (e.g. Family Medical Practice)
- Note
- A separate consultation fee of roughly $95 USD (about 2,498,500 VND) is typically not included.
Mirena (Hormonal) IUD Insertion
- Price
- ₫9,231,300
- Provider Type
- Private international clinic (e.g. Family Medical Practice)
Mirena IUD, All-inclusive (Consultation + Insertion)
- Price
- ₫9,731,000
- Provider Type
- Private international clinic (e.g. International SOS)
Implant
- Availability
- Available at select private international clinics in Hanoi.
Options
Implanon Insertion
- Price
- ₫7,758,500
- Provider Type
- Family Medical Practice
Implant Insertion
- Price
- ₫5,000,000
- Provider Type
- Hanoi French Hospital
Emergency Police
- Number
- 113
- Description
- National police emergency line for Vietnam; can be used to report an assault immediately.
Medical Urgency Notes
Medical Urgency Notes
- If there is any possibility of HIV exposure, seek urgent medical care for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which needs to be started within 72 hours of the assault.
- Try to avoid bathing, changing clothes, or cleaning up before a medical exam if you intend to pursue a police report, as this can destroy forensic evidence.
Reporting And Legal Notes
Reporting And Legal Notes
- Under Vietnam's Penal Code, rape is treated as an extremely serious crime, with penalties extending to life imprisonment and, in cases involving victims under 16, the death penalty; the law applies equally regardless of the offender's or victim's gender or nationality.
- Medical reports from a hospital of your choosing cannot be used as forensic evidence in a Vietnamese court; if you want a case to proceed legally, a forensic exam conducted by Vietnamese police within 72 hours of the assault is generally required, and police often require this exam before opening an investigation.
- Reporting is entirely optional and can be a lengthy process; local police officers may not speak English, interpreter quality is not guaranteed, and you can request (but are not guaranteed) a female officer.
- If accompanied support is desired, your embassy or consulate can sometimes provide a staff member to assist with communication and the reporting process, particularly within Hanoi.
General Notes
Hormonal contraception (pills, emergency contraception, implants, IUDs) is legal in Vietnam and widely available without major restriction; most products are sold over the counter at ordinary pharmacies ("nhà thuốc") without a prescription, though a small number of specific brands require one.
Regulatory Status
Fully legal and regulated
Emergency Contraception
- Availability
- Levonorgestrel-based emergency contraceptive pills are sold over the counter without a prescription and with no documented age restriction; brands include Victoria, Postinor, and Ciel EC. Mifepristone-based emergency pills (e.g. Mifestad 10) and the brand ella may require a prescription in some pharmacies. Pharmacist knowledge of correct dosing and side effects varies, so it's worth confirming instructions on the package insert.
- Price Per Pack Low
- ₫10,000
- Price Per Pack High
- ₫150,000
- Effectiveness Window
- Most dedicated emergency contraceptive pills in Vietnam are labeled for use within 72 to 120 hours after unprotected sex, with effectiveness highest the sooner they are taken.
Oral Contraceptive Pill
- Availability
- Available over the counter at virtually any pharmacy in Hanoi without a prescription; common brands include Mercilon, Drosperin, Rigevidon, Diane35, Marvelon, Microgynon, and HN Choice.
- Price Per Blister Pack Low
- ₫10,000
- Price Per Blister Pack High
- ₫150,000
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this women's health & safety research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Hanoi
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.