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Is Vietnam gay-friendly? Our LGBTQ+ travel expert Ed Salvato shares his advice on what LGBTQ+ travelers need to know before they head to Vietnam.
Photo © GettyImages/Borja Sanchez Trillo/Stringer
LGBTQ+ legal status in Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the most queer-friendly countries in Southeast Asia. While the country is welcoming towards LGBTQ+ tourists, Vietnamese society remains traditional and conservative towards homosexuality. Most queer locals live in the closet and while it's changing, many are still expected to get married (to an opposite-sex partner) and produce children.
In terms of rights, Vietnam does not offer marriage equality; however, by Asian standards, it's quite progressive. It's never had anti-LGBTQ+ laws. In January 2015, the Law on Marriage and Family came into effect outlawing the ban on same-sex weddings. It's very open to gay travelers. The country held its first pride parade on 5 August 2012, in Hanoi and Viet Pride has been going strong ever since.
LGBTQ+-friendly areas
Vietnam is a big country with many attractions. Most LGBTQ+ life in centered Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) in the south and Hanoi in the north. Both have a few small local bars and saunas. Visitors can go to them but shouldn't always expect a warm welcome. In the big cities, locals have seen many LGBTQ+ people, and there is also a Ladyboy culture like Thailand. However, in smaller towns and villages, locals may not have been exposed to LGBTQ+ people so you may be subject to side glances. There shouldn't be any inherent hostility, just curiosity.
If you request a single bed your wishes will be respected. Your tour guides will most certainly have seen many other queer visitors; the guide may even be in the community. Many of the tour operators included below hire qualified queer guides when possible. They vet all their guides to ensure they are comfortable with LGBTQ+ guests.
The only caveats about traveling in southeast Asia is to respect the local norms and customs. Open displays of affection (whether same-sex or opposite-sex) are very uncommon. When entering temples and other important sites, you will be expected to dress appropriately.
When is the best time to go?
LGBTQ+ travelers might want to visit during Viet Pride, a three-day event held in Hanoi in August.
Since Vietnam is not an overly LGBTQ+-friendly country and tourism infrastructure is not necessarily as easy to navigate as in many developed nations, you might prefer to travel with a group, especially if you want to ensure the presence of fellow friendly LGBTQ+ travelers.
Trip planning
- Utopia is a good source for LGBTQ+ information in southeast Asia, especially for info about bars, saunas, and sexually-focused activities.
- Travel Gay offers information on bars, clubs, saunas, beaches, and hotels. You can book hotels here which are fulfilled by a gay-owned and gay-managed travel agency, OutOfOffice.com.
- NomadicBoys is the blog published by Stefan and Sebastian, a gay couple writing about their global adventures.
Legal Services
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) publishes an annual survey of sexual orientation laws.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) conducts top-notch reporting and advocacy including for LGBTQ+ people around the world.
LGBTQ+ tour operators
While the following highly recommended tour companies cater primarily to gay men, most welcome lesbian travelers.
LGBTQ+-friendly mainstream tour operators
The following mainstream river cruise companies extend a warm welcome to LGBTQ+ guests.
- Pandaw offers luxury small ship river cruises in Asia. The manager is openly gay and the staff is gay-friendly.
- Aqua Expeditions offers luxury cruises on the Mekong River and is known for excellent food, service and a focus on sustainability.
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1 Comment
Yeah true