Staying Safe While Travelling in Asia

Most of Asia is a comfortable and low-crime region to travel in. The realistic risks are rarely the dramatic ones — they are traffic, heat, opportunistic theft and the occasional well-practised scam.

Traffic is the real hazard

In Vietnam, Thailand and much of Southeast Asia, roads are the single biggest genuine risk to a visitor.

• Cross slowly and predictably. Walk at a steady pace and do not stop or run — motorbikes read your speed and flow around you. Hesitating mid-road is what causes accidents.
• Wear a helmet on any motorbike, including a short ride-hailing hop.
• Only ride yourself if you hold the correct licence and have confirmed your insurance covers it. Many policies exclude motorbike riding entirely, and an unlicensed rider is uninsured by default.

Common scams

• Unmetered taxis and "the meter is broken". Use ride-hailing apps, where the price is fixed before you get in.
• "That attraction is closed today" — followed by an offer to take you somewhere better. It is not closed.
• Overpriced tuk-tuk and cyclo rides agreed vaguely and settled expensively. Agree the price and the currency before you get in.
• Gem, tailor and shop detours built into a cheap city tour.

None of these are dangerous; they are simply expensive. Declining firmly and walking on works.

Petty theft

Bag-snatching from passing motorbikes is the main one in busy city centres. Carry bags on the side away from the road, keep your phone in your hand rather than loose in a back pocket, and don't leave a phone on an outdoor café table.

Heat and natural hazards

• Heat and humidity are underestimated constantly. Drink more water than you think, and plan indoor time in the middle of the day.
• Typhoon season runs roughly July to October and affects Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan. Follow local alerts and build flexibility into travel days in that window.
• Earthquakes are a fact of life in Japan. Learn the basics — get under a sturdy table, stay away from windows, and follow staff instructions. Hotels have guidance in the room.

Everyday habits that prevent problems

1. Keep digital and physical copies of your passport, visa and insurance, stored separately.
2. Share your itinerary with someone at home.
3. Register with your embassy if your country offers a traveller registration scheme.
4. Know the local emergency number for each country you're in.
5. Keep a small amount of emergency cash somewhere separate from your wallet.