Background: Diabetes and hypertension are known as risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and the identification of these risk factors is essential for preventing CVD. We assessed the awareness level with regard to CVD and the sources of information among the Vietnamese and Japanese populations. Methods: The questionnaire for this study was completed by 155 rural Vietnamese, 147 urban Vietnamese, and 102 urban Japanese subjects, and 159 Japanese outpatients. They were asked to identify the risk factors for diabetes and hypertension and their sources of medical information by answering multiple-choice questions. Results: Excessive sweet intake, lack of exercise, and obesity were cited as risk factors for diabetes by the urban Vietnamese and Japanese subjects. The most commonly cited risk factor for hypertension by the Japanese subjects was excessive salt intake, whereas obesity and alcohol consumption were cited by the urban and rural Vietnamese subjects, respectively. In both countries, medical information was mainly obtained from medical staff, but other mass media were also commonly used as sources of information. Conclusion: Certain differences were observed in the level of awareness between the Japanese and Vietnamese and also between the Vietnamese urban and rural populations with regard to the risk factors for diabetes and hypertension. Thus, we think that information regarding modifiable risk factors must be tailored to suit subjects according to their nationality and their area of residence (urban or rural).