Is Brunei Safe To Visit? [Safety And Customs Guide]

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Is Brunei Safe To Visit?

Yes, Brunei is a safe country to visit.

The country’s name, “Brunei Darussalam” translates to “Brunei, Abode of Peace”. With serious repercussions for theft and petty crime, Brunei boasts a low crime rate. Bruneians have a high quality of life - aided by free healthcare, free education and low petrol prices.

Bruneians are generally known to be polite and well-mannered people. The country has a relaxed, laid-back feel that you’ll notice upon arrival. It also has a long history of tradition and customs, which are important to respect as a visitor. If you follow these simple rules and show basic courtesy, expect to have an easy time.

In this travel guide, I’ll address common safety concerns, including whether Brunei is safe for non-muslims and whether Brunei is safe for women.

Beyond that, we’ll also cover some important general practices you should be aware of to ensure your safety and respect of local customs, like alcohol/drug laws, behavior during Ramadan and general night safety.

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Table of Contents

• Is Brunei Safe For Non-Muslims?

• Is Brunei Safe For Women?

• Best Practices During Ramadan

• Neighborhoods And Night Safety

• Tips!

• Conclusion

• Best Way To Find A Hotel In Brunei

• About The Author (Taz Zaidi)

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Is Brunei Safe For Non-Muslims?

As a non-muslim visitor, you won’t experience friction as long as you understand and follow a few basic rules. Brunei follows Islamic law, meaning its penal code mostly aligns with the Quran (the holy book of Islam).

Brunei is a “dry country”, which means alcohol is not sold or served anywhere, including in hotels like the Empire Brunei Hotel, a 7-star luxury country club resort. However, non-muslim foreigners are allowed to bring some alcohol into Brunei through customs. As of January 2024, foreigners over the age of 17 can bring up to 2 liters of wine or spirits, and up to 12 cans of (330 ml) beer through customs. Whether you enter via land border with Malaysia, Labuan ferry or at Brunei International Airport, the process is simple - just declare the alcohol on your import form.

It’s very important to know that, nobody, including foreigners, are allowed to consume any alcohol in public. This means if you bring alcohol into Brunei you must consume it inside your hotel room. Don’t bring it outside. To learn more about the alcohol laws in Brunei, click here.

The sale of cigarettes is also prohibited in Brunei and smoking is prohibited in most places. Punishments for the possession of other drugs is also very steep. Refer to the alcohol article linked above for more information regarding cigarettes and drugs in Brunei.

*For today’s deals on hotels in Brunei (or any other destination), click here.

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Is Brunei Safe For Women?

Brunei is a safe destination for women, whether you’re traveling solo or as part of a group. The most important thing to remember as a foreign woman in Brunei is that there are a some dress code rules and customs you should always adhere to when in public. Women are expected to wear loose-fitting, modest (conservative) clothing. Do not expose lots of skin. Wearing full-length pants and a shirt with (at least) elbow-length sleeves is perfectly acceptable.

Women are not required to wear a head scarf (hijab) in Brunei, except when visiting mosques. Luckily, Brunei’s two national mosques provide free full-body gowns available to borrow at the women’s entrance. Western-style swimsuits are allowed at private beaches, but not at public beaches! If you want to know what the rules are at your particular hotel, contact prior to booking. Some tour operators will allow you to wear a swimsuit during your visit to Ulu Temburong National Park.

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Best Practices During Ramadan

Ramadan is an important holy month in Brunei.

If you visit during this time, do not eat or drink in public during daylight hours. Eating in front of fasting muslims is frowned upon and inconsiderate. As most customers and workers are muslim, most restaurants in Brunei are closed during daylight hours during the month. If you find an open restaurant, eat inside.

Luckily, Brunei’s top attractions still operate during Ramadan. Consider visiting the country during Aidil Fitri. This three-day holiday takes place at the close of Ramadan, as a celebration of the month. During Aidil Fitri (also called Hari Raya), Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah opens Istana Nurul Iman (world’s largest residential palace) to the general public, regardless of nationality or religion. After the large meal is served, you’ll have the opportunity to queue in a line to meet the Sultan or Queen. Definitely a unique/memorable experience!

*For today’s deals on hotels in Brunei (or any other destination), click here.

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Neighborhoods And Night Safety In Brunei

Bandar Seri Begawan is generally a very safe city.

You won’t need to avoid particular neighborhoods due to safety concerns. Travelers generally choose lodging in one of three areas - city center (Pusat Bandar), the Gadong area or Kampong Ayer. To learn more about these areas, including the once-in-a-lifetime chance to sleep in Kampong Ayer (world’s largest water village), read our complete Bandar Seri Begawan city guide.

Night safety is also a non-issue in Brunei. Gadong area is well-lit and bustling after dark. The Gadong Night Market (by far the best place to eat in Brunei) closes at 10 pm. The city center (Pusat Bandar) is also well-lit at night, particularly along Brunei River, though most of the businesses in the center close by dark.

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TIPS!

• Brunei is a conservative country when it comes to gender dynamics (by Western standards). Abide by the following guidelines:

  • Don’t shake hands when greeting someone of the opposite sex. Rather, simply smile and acknowledge them while maintaining a slight gap between the two of you.

  • Public displays of affection are considered distasteful in Brunei. Avoid doing so.

• Bruneian men will rarely wear shorts in public. Foreign men may wear knee-length shorts but remember to wear pants when visiting the national mosques or someone’s home.

• Criticism of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (or the government) is not generally welcome, and freedom of speech laws do not exist in Brunei. While you may not get in trouble for voicing your opinion to a Bruneian, it’s best to avoid controversial political discussions in public.

• When visiting Kampong Ayer, remember that you’re entering a functioning village, not just a tourist spectacle. Employ discretion and respect all the local residents and their property.

• Men and women should both wear full sleeves and pants when visiting Istana Nurul Iman during Hari Raya. Even better, find traditional clothing! Many Bruneians enjoy seeing foreigners partake and being curious about their culture.

*For today’s deals on hotels in Brunei (or any other destination), click here.

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Conclusion

Hopefully you found this guide helpful.

In this guide, we covered general safety tips, safety for non-muslims and women, neighborhood and night safety, plus general customs and behaviors to be aware of - particularly during Ramadan. If you respect local customs and laws, you shouldn’t have any problems. To learn more about Brunei, explore our guides below.

Enjoy your travels!

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If safety is a concern for you, consider joining these 5-star customer rated tours, organized by Viator and run by locals!

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Best Way To Find A Hotel In Brunei

Agoda.com is well-known in Brunei (and Southeast Asia) for providing amazing deals on a wide range of accommodation options. You’ll find luxury or budget hotels, resorts, villas, hostels, apartments, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, and unique/alternative types). Use the widget below or click here to search in Brunei.

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