Vietnam among safest travel destinations in Southeast Asia: US security company

Vietnam has been classified as a "moderate risk" country for travelers along with Malaysia and Brunei by Global Guardian, a duty of care firm specializing in travel risk.

The U.S. company said in a report: "Countries that are moderate risk are considered resilient. These countries are capable of quickly and effectively managing most crises and threats to personal security. But criminal activity, terrorism and natural disasters can impact travel or in-country operations."

Vietnam has a reputation for its stable political situation and absence of terrorist threats.

The report ranks 163 countries in terms of "peacefulness," analyzing data on their political stability, neighboring country relations, nuclear weapons, internal and external conflicts, military expenditure, incarceration rates, and "perceptions of criminality" among other factors.

In Southeast Asia, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Indonesia were classified as "medium risk" due to their vulnerability to criminality, sporadic unrest and being ill-equipped to manage crises.

Only Singapore is rated as "low risk," making it the safest destination to travel in Southeast Asia.

Globally, countries classified as "extreme risk" are Ukraine, Pakistan, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, and Burkina Faso.

New Zealand, Ireland, Denmark, and Austria are ranked the safest countries in the world.