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
From
£644 to £1000
10 days
ex flights
Vietnam holiday, South to North
From bright lights, to beaches and junk boats.
From
£1445
13 days
ex flights
Vietnam tailor made adventure holiday
Private, tailor-made Vietnam adventure holiday
From
£3495
17 days
inc UK flights
Vietnam holiday
Tour and learn about this beautiful destination
From
£1280 to £1695
20 days
ex flights
Vietnam small group holiday, a food adventure
Exotic 2 week culinary and cultural tour of Vietnam.
From
£1068 to £1530
12 days
ex flights
Vietnam and Cambodia 15 day tour, tailor made
See two wonders of the world in just two weeks
From
£1865
15 days
ex flights
Laos and Vietnam holiday, Luang Prabang to Hanoi
Off the beaten track tour of Northern Laos and Vietnam
From
£1400
14 days
ex flights
Cycling holiday to Indochina and Angkor Wat
Cross three countries with contrasting recent histories
From
£2549 to £3179
16 days
inc UK flights
Vietnam and Cambodia activity holiday
Adventure your way through Vietnam and Cambodia
From
US $3034
14 days
ex flights
Vietnam adventure holiday
A comprehensive north to south exploration
From
£1899 to £2549
16 days
inc UK flights
Vietnam small group cycling holiday
The best of Vietnam on two wheels
From
£2199 to £2859
16 days
inc UK flights
Vietnam and Cambodia tour, wellness & relaxation
Explore Vietnam and Cambodia with a dash of wellness.
From
£2475
18 days
ex flights
Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City
Thailand to Southern Vietnam via Angkor Wat
From
£532 to £755
9 days
ex flights
Indochina overland tours
Discover the heart and soul of Indochina
From
£1749 to £1839
30 days
ex flights
Vietnam discovery tour
Delve into the rural life of heart-warming Vietnam.
From
£1775
18 days
ex flights
Vietnam culture and beach holiday
A tour of two halves, culture and beach relaxation.
From
US $1284
11 days
ex flights
Hanoi to Saigon tailor made holiday, Vietnam
Explore Vietnam's highlights, like Hue and the Mekong
From
£4100
16 days
inc UK flights
Vietnam off the beaten track holiday
Venture off the well-travelled tourist path of Vietnam
From
£1895
14 days
ex flights
Vietnam family holiday
A fabulous family holiday including the best of Vietnam
From
£1750 to £2250
15 days
ex flights
Vietnam diving & mountain biking adventure holiday
Tailor made adventure holiday in Vietnam.
From
US $2168
14 days
ex flights
Cambodia & Vietnam holiday
A magnificent journey of discovery
From
£1180 to £1710
18 days
ex flights
14 day tour of Vietnam
In under a fortnight, experience the best of Vietnam.
From
£1485
14 days
ex flights
Indochina holiday, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand
Fast-paced Bangkok & slow boats along the Mekong
From
£1299 to £1349
22 days
ex flights
Vietnam family holiday with teenagers
Experience adventure the active way on this family trip
From
£708 to £985
9 days
ex flights
Indochina tour, small group
Experience the diversity of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
From
£1156 to £1505
26 days
ex flights
Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi tours in Vietnam
Discover the spirit of Vietnam
From
£660 to £890
10 days
ex flights
Cambodia and Vietnam budget holidays
Bustling city streets & white-sand beaches
From
£1039 to £1099
20 days
ex flights
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
£644 to £1000
10 days
ex flights
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
More about Vietnam
Our guide helps you plan your Vietnam holiday, region by region, with a helpful month by month guide and tips on the following the lunar calendar...
Our Vietnam travel guide reveals how to explore the Mekong Delta, get out on the waters of Halong Bay, traverse this long country by train, and meet the hill tribes of the north, for an unforgettable Southeast Asian holiday.
Vietnam hugs the entire east coast of Southeast Asia, stretching over 1,600km. Cultures, landscapes, climates and activities vary across its length...
There are plenty of things to do in Vietnam, both inland and on the water; we've picked our top four below. There's more than enough to keep you busy...
Take a ride on Vietnam's Reunification Express and discover the hop on/hop off highlights as you follow the coast from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City...
It is within the kitchens, the markets and on the streets where you'll discover the one true tie that describes Vietnam's cultural identity: its food...
Discover the tribes, villages and cultural travel tips that will help you travel like a local in Vietnam, way beyond the stream of tourists...
A Vietnam history tour will take you from the Hanoi Hilton to the Cu Chi tunnels with no end of important key historical sites in between...
Visiting Vietnam and Cambodia together provides plenty of opportunities to compare and contrast landscapes, the food and the cultural heritage...
The top 10 things to do are as varied as Vietnam itself with junk boats in Halong Bay, motorbikes in Hue and dragon boats on the Perfume River...
If you're thinking of travelling in Vietnam with kids, there is plenty here to entertain, with colourful markets, cyclo rides and stunning beaches...
If you're wondering how to find secluded beaches and whether you'll be hassled by street vendors, our suppliers have shared their top Vietnam advice...
There are plenty of issues to keep in mind in Vietnam, from the overcrowding and pollution of Halong Bay, to the fair treatment of Hoi An's tailors...
Find all of our Vietnam guides in one place for more information about the different type of holidays we offer such as cycling or family holidays in Vietnam.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: torbakhopper] [Vietnam Pride : USAID Vietnam ]
[Vietnamese wedding: shankar s.]
[Attitudes - sit com: Nhat Ma ]
[Hanoi nightlife: Chelsea Marie Hicks]
[Traditional customs: Freddie Ablazed]
Back to the top
- Recently viewed
.jpg){kind=link}
