LGBT holidays in Vietnam
A history of LGBT rights in Vietnam
A history of LGBT rights in Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the more progressive Southeast Asian countries when it comes to LGBT rights and has made huge strides in recent years in support of the LGBT community. As recently as 2000, same-sex couples were banned from cohabiting and homosexuality was officially described as a mental illness, but Vietnam has never had any official laws prohibiting same sex relationships or same sex sexual acts.
In 2015 the legislature passed the Law on Marriage and Family, which officially removed a ban on same sex marriages1. In November of the same year, transgender people who have undergone reassignment surgery were granted the right to register under their new gender2, and in 2017, Ho Chi Minh City opened Vietnam’s first LGBT friendly medical centre3, which offers counselling, STI tests, HIV treatment and other services for the gay and trans community. What’s more, LGBT people can serve in the military, the age of consent (16) is the same across the board, and annual VietPride marches in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City work to raise visibility and awareness of LGBT issues.
But the positive news stories only tell part of the story and there’s still a long way to go before equality is achieved. Although same sex marriages are no longer illegal, this is not quite as groundbreaking as it sounds: gay couples are neither recognised nor protected by law, and there are no laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBT people continue to face abuse and discrimination both in the home, at school and in the workplace.
What’s more, some critics have argued that the government’s recent moves are a cynical ploy to attract LGBT tourists, or to distract from the government crackdown on political dissent by pointing to VietPride as an example of freedom of speech and assembly.
Our Vietnam Holidays
Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh holiday in Vietnam
Capture the spirit of Vietnam on this compact adventure
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£820 to £930
10 days
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Vietnam small group cycling holiday
The best of Vietnam on two wheels
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£2399 to £3099
16 days
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Vietnam and Cambodia activity holiday
Adventure your way through Vietnam and Cambodia
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US $3034
14 days
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Vietnam family holiday
A fabulous family holiday including the best of Vietnam
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£1750 to £2250
15 days
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Vietnam and Cambodia 15 day tour, tailor made
See two wonders of the world in just two weeks
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£1855
15 days
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Vietnam holiday, South to North
From bright lights, to beaches and junk boats.
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£1428
13 days
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Cambodia and Vietnam holiday
A magnificent journey of discovery
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£1520 to £1720
18 days
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Vietnam tailor made adventure holiday
Private, tailor-made Vietnam adventure holiday
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£3495
17 days
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A comprehensive journey through Vietnam & Cambodia
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£2815
19 days
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Vietnam cycling holiday, small group
Spectacular cycle tour from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.
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£1590 to £1800
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An unusual journey across southern Indochina
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16 days
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Vietnam tailor made holiday
Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon & the Mekong Delta
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14 days
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Hanoi to Saigon tailor made holiday, Vietnam
Explore Vietnam's highlights, like Hue and the Mekong
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16 days
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Vietnam 15 day itinerary
Junk boats, street food and islands – this tailor made adventure to Vietnam has it all
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£1998
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Discover the spirit of Vietnam
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10 days
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Cambodia & Vietnam community cycling holiday
Explore Phnom Penh to Saigon and everything in between
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AU $2550
12 days
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Vietnam diving & mountain biking adventure holiday
Tailor made adventure holiday in Vietnam.
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US $2168
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14 day Vietnam photography tour with a pro photographer
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£2995
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Cambodia and Vietnam tour with a professional photographer
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Explore the lively streets and hidden corners of Vietnam
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7 of Vietnams Unesco-listed World Heritage sites in 11 days
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16 days
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£1950
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Vietnam and Cambodia: the Mekong Delta to Angkor Wat
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Indochina tours
An awesome adventure Cambodia Laos Thailand & Vietnam
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Attitudes towards the LGBT community
Attitudes towards the LGBT community
LGBT travellers are unlikely to encounter hostile reactions in Vietnam, and gay foreigners are not actively persecuted. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City both have gay scenes, and homosexuality is slowly becoming part of mainstream culture. In 2011, the openly gay film Lost in Paradise, directed by Vu Ngoc Dang, was a big success both inside and outside the country; and in 2012, the sitcom My Best Gay Friends launched on YouTube and became an instant hit. When in late 2014, US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius arrived with his husband and baby, it was seen as a sign that the country was on its way to becoming a more open and accepting nation to the LGBT community.
However, while it can be a relaxed and tolerant country towards LGBT tourists, homosexuality remains a controversial topic in a country where respect for traditional family values runs deep. Gay venues keep a low profile and most gay Vietnamese choose to hide their sexuality from their families. As is the case in most countries, there are substantial differences between attitudes towards homosexuality in rural areas and large cities, and by older people and younger generations – the latter in each case being far more open minded. In 2014, for example, a USAID report4 on LGBT rights in Vietnam found that conservative views on sexuality remained across the country, despite a number of LGBT support groups springing up in urban areas.
4 www.usaid.gov
4 www.usaid.gov
Our top Vietnam Holiday
Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh holiday in Vietnam
Capture the spirit of Vietnam on this compact adventure
From
£820 to £930
10 days
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Small group travel:
Departs every Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday & selected Wednesdays throughout the year
Departs every Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday & selected Wednesdays throughout the year
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Vietnam or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
LGBT Travel in Vietnam
LGBT Travel in Vietnam
Alongside Thailand, Vietnam has gained a reputation as one of the most LGBT friendly countries in Asia for foreign tourists. LGBT tourists are unlikely to encounter any harassment and will be able to explore the mountains, beaches and ancient sites without any issues. Checking into hotels as a same sex couple is perfectly acceptable and both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have a low key gay scene, with a number of bars, restaurants, saunas and hotels that are LGBT owned or LGBT friendly, as well as gay clubs featuring regular drag shows and themed LGBT parties, though you’ll have to do your research to find them. To a lesser extent, there are some LGBT friendly venues in the both the beachside city of Danang and heritage hot spot Hoi An, too.
While all the tour operators we work with describe themselves as LGBT friendly, it’s worth asking questions to learn more about how this is put into practice in their Vietnam holidays. It’s easy to operate an LGBT friendly tour in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, but it’s less straightforward to incorporate village tours and family homestays into the itinerary. Good operators should be able to share information about customs and beliefs – not just for Vietnam as a whole, but for individual regions, religious sites and places of special interest across the country.
It’s worth remembering that there’s a fine line between expressing your identity and respecting local customs as a responsible traveller. We would generally advise, for example, avoiding skimpy, see through or overly tight clothing. Vietnam remains a very traditional and conservative society, and public displays of affection are not the norm. Couples of any sexual orientation should avoid kissing and putting their arms around each other in public. In fact, if you do see two men or two women with their arms around each other or holding hands, this is almost certainly a sign of friendship
LGBT Festivals, Events & Resources
VietPride This festival takes place over several days in both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, though the Hanoi event is larger and includes a film festival, talks, parties and a bike rally. Though only launched in 2012, it’s becoming more and more mainstream, and is attracting big name sponsors.iSEE This group works towards the rights of minority groups in Vietnamese society, including the LGBT community.
The Travel Gay Asia and Utopia Asia websites provide information about nightspots, restaurants and gay-friendly accommodation across the country.
Read more in our guide to LGBT holidays
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