Vietnam Tourist Police Force to be established

During the recent meeting of the National Assembly of Vietnam, several members have proposed the establishment of a dedicated tourist police force aimed at protecting and assisting foreign tourists in the country.

The proposed tourist police force would specialize in providing immediate assistance to tourists who may experience injuries or accidents, addressing concerns that they often do not receive timely or adequate support from existing travel agencies. “Tourists should know exactly whom to contact when they need help,” stated Mr. Vu The Binh, Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Lan, Chairman of the Hanoi Tourism Association, also expressed his support for the formation of a national tourist police agency. “This is essential as Vietnam relies heavily on tourism as a key industry,” he remarked. He further argued that the tourist police should be equipped to address crimes against tourists, as traditional tourism agencies cannot be fully accountable for safeguarding their clients against criminal activities.

In addition to the push for a tourist police force, the National Assembly has called for the introduction of additional foreign-language hotlines for receiving information and complaints from tourists, along with the proposal of compulsory insurance for foreign visitors. The amended tourism law will be revisited during the next National Assembly meeting and is set to be submitted for approval in 2025.