Misconduct by foreigners puts Vietnam’s hospitality and rule of law to the test

Vietnam is on an irreversible path toward deeper integration, greater openness, and faster internationalization.

In major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, the presence of foreigners living, working, and traveling has become a familiar sight.

Multilingual cafés, neighborhoods with large expatriate communities, and bustling international flights reflect the appeal of a country that is stable, welcoming, and full of opportunities.

Vietnam has every reason to take pride in this achievement. Few countries have managed to maintain political and social stability while sustaining economic growth and tourism appeal as successfully as Vietnam has over the past few years.

The country's policies of openness, investment attraction, and international engagement have been strategic choices that have delivered tangible results.

Yet one principle has never changed: the more open a country becomes, the stronger its governance capacity must be. In other words, friendliness should never be mistaken for permissiveness.

Over the past few months, the public has witnessed a series of incidents involving foreign nationals that have sparked concern and frustration.

These have ranged from assaults on local residents in public places and property damage to robbery and particularly serious criminal cases involving foreign nationals.

Although each case differs in nature, they share one troubling characteristic: people have seen conduct that exceeds the boundaries of normal social behavior.

More importantly, these incidents have occurred in tourism hubs and international commercial centers that should serve as models of public security and urban civility.

The vast majority of foreigners who come to Vietnam obey the law, conduct legitimate business, and contribute to the economy, education, science, tourism, and cultural exchange. Many regard Vietnam as their second home.

It would be unfair to allow the misconduct of a few individuals to cast a shadow over an entire community.

At the same time, it would be equally misguided to dismiss recent incidents as mere isolated accidents and quickly forget them.

Several questions deserve to be raised openly. Has immigration and foreign-resident management truly kept pace with the rapid internationalization of major urban centers?

Are authorities effectively identifying individuals who may pose risks, suspicious groups, or networks that exploit open policies to engage in unlawful activities?

One reality that must be acknowledged is that alongside the flows of investment, tourists, and international workers, transnational crime is also moving more rapidly than ever.

High-tech fraud, organized gambling, money laundering, cross-border loan shark operations, extortion, debt collection services, and the trafficking of personal data are among the emerging forms of crime that increasingly transcend physical borders.

Controlling entry points alone is not enough. Modern governance requires connected data systems, integrated information sharing, and early warning mechanisms capable of identifying risks before crimes occur.

A person who enters Vietnam as a tourist but remains for an unusually long period, engages in activities beyond the purpose of their visa, forms closed and isolated groups, or participates in suspicious transactions should trigger early attention rather than waiting until a criminal case emerges.

This responsibility does not belong solely to the police or immigration authorities.

Local governments, accommodation providers, landlords, tourism businesses, residential communities, and citizens themselves all have roles to play as responsible links in the broader chain of social security.

In some places, there remains a tendency to overlook inappropriate behavior for fear of confrontation or concern that strict enforcement might affect tourism or the investment environment.

However, tolerance of violations has never been an effective way to protect a country's image. On the contrary, a nation earns respect when its laws are enforced fairly and consistently.

Foreigners who come to Vietnam should be treated with civility, friendliness, and safety. At the same time, they must understand that Vietnam is a sovereign nation governed by clear legal principles.

There can be no exceptions for acts of violence, property destruction, extortion, public disorder, or disregard for the law.

Strict enforcement is not about being hostile toward foreigners.

Rather, it is about protecting the vast majority of foreign residents who live responsibly in Vietnam, safeguarding local communities, and preserving the credibility of the country's investment and tourism environment.

A livable city cannot be one where residents feel unsafe on their own streets.

Likewise, an attractive destination cannot be built on avoiding uncomfortable truths for fear of damaging its image.

Safety remains the deepest foundation of tourism, while the rule of law is what sustains long-term investor confidence.

One challenge that must be addressed promptly is how to remain open without allowing hospitality to be exploited, how to ensure openness does not become a loophole, and how to pursue international integration without compromising the public's sense of security.

A civilized nation is defined not only by the number of international visitors it welcomes or the height of its skyscrapers, but also by its ability to protect its citizens and uphold the principle that the deeper the integration, the stronger the commitment to the rule of law.

Vietnam will always keep its doors open to international friends. But those doors can remain open only when they rest on a strong foundation: respect for the law and public order.

* The piece was written by Dr. Pham Di and originally published in Vietnamese and has been translated into English and edited by Tuoi Tre News.