Many visitors walking along the beaches or exercising in Binh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam have experienced heart-stopping encounters with stray dogs, sparking concerns over their increasing presence at tourist spots.

On top of strays, many are household pets whose owners allow them to roam freely.

Tran Van Binh, vice-chairman of the Binh Thuan Tourism Association, expressed his worry about the pressing issue related to free-roaming dogs, especially at the Ham Tien-Mui Ne tourist site in the provincial city of Phan Thiet. 

These roaming dogs not only disrupt the aesthetics of tourist destinations but also pose serious public health risks, particularly the spread of rabies. 

Binh Thuan is one of the localities with the highest number of rabies-related fatalities in Vietnam.

Since the beginning of 2025, the province has reported one rabies-related death, adding to the 10 deaths recorded in 2024.

Officials have raised concerns about the presence of free-roaming dogs at tourist sites, highlighting the additional risks they pose to visitors, especially international tourists.

While domestic tourists are more likely to seek immediate treatment after being bitten, foreigners may not know the proper steps to take or where to get medical help.

This situation is even more alarming when tourists unknowingly interact with these dogs, unaware of the potential health dangers.

Fatalities linked to stray dogs

In May 2024, a tragic traffic incident in Long Dat District, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, southern Vietnam resulted in the death of one man after he crashed into a free-roaming dog. 

The collision occurred on the morning of May 22, causing T.V.H., 40, to fall from his motorcycle, and an approaching car ran over him. He died instantly.

In December last year, a stray dog suspected of carrying rabies bit several residents in An Ngai Commune under the district, forcing them all to undergo rabies vaccinations. 

In Nha Trang, a beach city of Khanh Hoa Province in south-central Vietnam, similar incidents have been reported, including an attack on two foreign tourists in February 2023.

Efforts to tackle the issue

Luu Thanh Nhan, vice-chairman of the Nha Trang People’s Committee, said that most of the wards and communes in the city had established teams to catch these dogs. 

The city’s administration asked the wards and communes to gather data on the number of domesticated dogs and work to prevent rabies outbreaks through vaccination programs.

Ngo Thi Minh Lieu, deputy head of the stray dog-catching team in Vinh Nguyen Ward, said that her team found it hard to capture free-roaming dogs on the beaches due to the vast area.

Meanwhile, several pet owners failed to cooperate with the team to prevent the presence of free-roaming dogs.

A resident in Ngai Giao Town, Chau Duc District, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province also expressed concerns about the risks of free-roaming dogs. 

In early 2024, local authorities formed a team to capture stray dogs, but they faced challenges in rounding up all the animals.

Many dog owners declined to claim their pets, likely due to the steep fines ranging from VND1.5 million (US$59) to VND2 million ($78).

In the province's Vung Tau City, residents often allow their pets to roam in the early mornings, before the stray dog-catching team begins its work.

Once the dogs are captured, they must undergo a complex legal process for euthanasia, involving detailed paperwork and budget constraints.

Le Van Hong, deputy director of the Binh Thuan Department of Health, has called for stricter enforcement of regulations regarding free-roaming dogs and greater public awareness about rabies prevention, stressing the importance of rabies vaccinations.

Accountability for dog owners

Under Vietnamese law, individuals who allow their pets to roam freely in urban or public spaces are subject to fines of VND300,000-500,000 ($12-20), according to lawyer Le Van Hoan from the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association.

Failure to leash or muzzle a dog shall face fines of up to VND2 million.

If a dog causes harm to a person, the owner shall be held legally accountable. 

If a dog causes at least two deaths, the owner can face criminal charges and imprisonment for up to 10 years.

Furthermore, owners are required to compensate victims for any damage caused by their pets.

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