The local equivalents to the number “911” line in Vietnam are 113 for police calls, 114 for fire and 115 for ambulance.
The State Department is committed to assisting U.S. citizens who become victims of crime while abroad. We can help in two ways:
- Overseas: consular officers and staff work with crime victims to assist them in navigating local police procedures and medical systems.
- In the United States: our office of Overseas Citizens Services will stay in touch with family members in the United States, and help provide U.S.-based resources for the victim when possible.
If you are the victim of a crime while in Vietnam
- Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy in Hanoi or the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh. Emergency contact information is available here. Consular and duty officers are available 24/7 for emergency assistance .
- Consular officers are available for emergency assistance 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
- To contact the Department of State in the U.S. call 1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S. or Canada) or (202) 501-4444 (from overseas).
- Report the incident to the nearest police station. As a victim of a crime, you are encouraged to file a police report. The police report is important for insurance claims. If you lost your passport, the report is needed to facilitate replacement of your Vietnamese entry stamp. Police stations in Hanoi are listed here and police stations in Ho Chi Minh City are listed here.
- Instructions on how to report a case to police and the list of local police stations across Vietnam is available on the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security’s website here (in Vietnamese language only).
- If you feel compelled to return to the United States and you need our support in renewing a passport or obtaining an emergency passport, please follow the instructions here.
- If you are in need of legal assistance, the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City have compiled a list of attorneys for reference here.
Consular Assistance to U.S. Crime Victims:
When a U.S. citizen is the victim of a crime overseas, he or she may suffer from physical, emotional or financial injuries. It can be more difficult because the victim may be in unfamiliar surroundings, and may not know the local language or customs. Consular officers and local employees are familiar with local government agencies and resources and can assist U.S. citizen victims of crime.
We can help:
- Replace a stolen passport
- Contact family, friends, or employers
- Obtain appropriate medical care
- Address emergency needs that arise as a result of the crime
- Explain the local criminal justice process
- Obtain information about your case
- Connect you to local and U.S.-based resources to assist victims of crime
- Obtain information about any local and U.S. victim compensation programs available
- Provide a list of local lawyers who speak English
We cannot:
- Investigate crimes
- Provide legal advice or represent you in court
- Serve as official interpreters or translators
- Pay legal, medical, or other fees for you
Contact Information for Victim Assistance Programs:
DISCLAIMER: The U.S. Department of State assumes no responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the organizations whose names appear below. This referral does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of the U.S. Department of State. The listed agencies and organizations have not been vetted by the U.S. Department of State or other federal agency.
Sexual Assault and Suicide Prevention Assistance Resources:
U.S. and Online Resources
- Crisis Text Line – Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in crisis linking them with a trained crisis counselor.
- End Rape on Campus – End Rape on Campus (EROC) works to end campus sexual violence through direct support for survivors and their communities; prevention through education; and policy reform at the campus, local, state, and federal levels.
- National Alliance to End Sexual Violence – This website has a contact list of the anti-sexual assault coalitions available in each state and U.S. territory.
- National Sexual Assault Hotline – 24/7 1-800-656-HOPE (Also has a chat function on the website.) Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
- Truman Group – Psychological Care for Expats – Help from Home.
- S. National Suicide Prevention Hotline – There is a chat function and a 1-800 number at 1-800-273-8255.
- Women with PTSD United – Offers a collective of trauma-related resources for survivors of rape, domestic violence, and more.
DISCLAIMER: The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically; the order in which they appear has no significance. The information on the list is provided by the local service providers; the Department is not able to vouch for such information.
Local Resources – Ho Chi Minh City
- Counselor – Robert Oleskevich – Hero’s Journey Therapy – Email: hello@herosjourneytherapy.com Licensed psychotherapist working with the expat community and offering online and in-person sessions.
- Family Medical Practice – Based in D1 and D2 and offering a variety of medical and psychiatric services.
- International Center for Cognitive Development (ICCD) – Ex-patriot trained and in District 2 with many areas of expertise. Vietnamese speaking counseling is available.
Local Resources – Hanoi
- Hanoi Psychological Counseling Group – Offers victims psychological assistance and can refer victims to medical clinics if medical assistance is requested.
- Hagar International – Hagar supports women and children survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual abuse. They provide victims with free and safe accommodation, healthcare, psychological counselling, legal aid, and career training.
- LIGHT Clinic – Light Community Health Development Institute (LIGHT) is a local non-governmental organization specializes in community health care and offers a wide range of medical services.
- Family Medical Practice/Vinmec Hospital/Hanoi French Hospital/Raffles Medical Hanoi – These are Hanoi-based medical centers that offer psychological and medical assistance to sexual assault victims.
Domestic Violence:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline – Toll-free 24/7 hotline for crisis counseling and referrals: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
- U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women – Information about local domestic violence victim assistance coalitions.
- National Coalition Against Domestic Violence – The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence offers a safe home and shelter programs, public education, and technical assistance. They also have a list of state and international organizations that can assist domestic violence victims. 303-839-1852
- Pathways to Safety International – The center serves abused Americans, mostly women and children, in both civilian and military populations overseas. Please click here for information on how to contact their international toll-free crisis line.
- International Directory of Domestic Violence Agencies – Global list of abuse hotlines, shelters, refuges, crisis centers and women’s organizations, plus domestic violence information in over 90 languages.
Families and Friends of Murder Victims:
- POMC, Inc. (National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children) – Hotline for crisis counseling and referrals available Monday-Friday, 8-5 PM EST: 1-888-818-POMC.
Victims and Families of Drunk Driving Crashes:
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) – Information about local resources for victims and family members.
General Victim Assistance:
- U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime – Contact information for non-emergency services in communities throughout U.S.
- National Crime Victim Center – Information for crime victims on the impact of crime, safety planning, legal rights and civil legal remedies, and options for assistance and referrals to local programs.
- National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) – Toll-free hotline available Monday-Friday 9am-5pm EST for information and referral to victim assistance programs: 1-800-TRY-NOVA
Overseas Resources:
- Victim Assistance On-line – Information about victim assistance programs in approximately 20 countries.
- International Directory of Domestic Violence Agencies – Global list of abuse hotlines, shelters, refuges, crisis centers and women’s organizations, plus domestic violence information in over 90 languages.
Resources and Information for Crime Victims upon Return to the United States:
Some U.S. cities and communities offer programs to help residents who are victims of overseas crime, including:
- Rape crisis counseling programs
- Shelter and counseling programs for battered women
- Support groups and bereavement counseling for family members and friends of murder victims
- Diagnostic and treatment programs for child abuse victims
- Assistance for victims of drunk driving crashes
All U.S. states provide victim compensation programs, however only some states offer benefits to residents who are victims of violent crime overseas. Most compensation programs require the victim to file a report at the time of the incident, and to provide a copy with the application. Programs include financial assistance to pay for:
- Medical costs, including counseling
- Funeral or burial expenses
- Lost income or loss of support
- Expenses related to the repatriation of remains
Information about each state’s compensation program and how to apply for benefits is available from the National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards.
