Tourist scams in Vietnam exist — but they are predictable, and once you know the patterns, easy to sidestep. The country is overwhelmingly safe and welcoming; a little awareness is all it takes to keep it that way.
Transport Scams
Overpriced Airport Taxis
Unlicensed drivers loiter near arrivals halls offering flat-rate rides at inflated prices, sometimes claiming the meter is broken or taking longer routes to run up the cost. Fix: use Grab for a preset fare, or go to the official airport taxi counter. Never follow someone who approaches you unprompted.
Rigged Taxi Meters
Some taxis use tampered meters that run 2–3x faster than normal. You may not notice until you arrive and the fare is far higher than expected. Fix: skip street taxis entirely — Grab shows the fare before you confirm the ride.
Fake Grab Drivers
Scammers near tourist areas claim to be your Grab driver to lure you into an unmetered private car. Fix: only accept rides from drivers whose license plate, name, and photo match exactly what the app shows. Never get in a vehicle that approaches you — always walk to the pickup pin.
The “Closed Hotel” Trick
A driver tells you your hotel is closed, overbooked, or moved — then offers to take you to a “better” alternative that pays him commission. Fix: call your hotel directly before leaving the airport. If the driver insists anyway, ask to be taken to the original address and verify yourself.
Booking and Ticketing Scams
Bus and Train Ticket Markups
Travel agent shops and guesthouses sometimes add 200–300% commission on bus and train tickets while presenting them as standard prices. Fix: buy directly at official bus stations and train counters, or use 12Go and Vexere for transparent pricing.
Fake eVisa Websites
Dozens of fake websites mimic the official Vietnamese immigration portal and charge excessive fees or steal personal data. Fix: the only legitimate e-visa portal is evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. The official fee is around $25 USD — anything significantly higher is a scam.
Fake Tour Companies
Rock-bottom priced tours often mean poor quality, missing itinerary items, or outright fraud using the branding of legitimate operators. Fix: book through your hotel, or platforms like GetYourGuide and Klook where reviews are verified.
Street and Market Scams
Inflated Vendor Prices
Street vendors and market stalls sometimes quote prices 5–10x above the normal rate when no price is displayed — betting tourists won’t know what’s fair. Fix: always ask the price before touching anything, and don’t be afraid to walk away. A polite decline often brings the price down immediately.
Street Money Exchange
Unofficial money changers offer attractive rates but deliver counterfeit notes, short-change you mid-transaction, or swap bills when counting. Fix: exchange only at banks, ATMs, or licensed gold shops. The rate difference is rarely worth the risk.
Motorbike Rental Damage Scam
Rental shops charge tourists for scratches or damage that was already there before the rental, or provide bikes in poor condition and bill for “repairs” on return. Fix: photograph every angle of the bike before you ride and confirm existing damage is noted in writing. Never leave your passport as collateral — a cash deposit is the standard alternative.
Shoe Shiner Scam
A man approaches and starts polishing your shoes before you’ve agreed to anything, then demands an inflated fee once they’re done. Fix: decline immediately and keep walking. If you do want a shoe shine, agree on the price before they touch your shoes.
Photo Scam
Women in traditional H’mong or conical-hat costumes gesture for photos, then demand payment — sometimes aggressively — after you’ve taken them. Fix: if someone poses for you unprompted near a tourist site, assume it will cost money. Agree on a price first, or politely decline.
Social and Payment Scams
The “Friendly Local” Commission Trick
A helpful stranger offers directions or recommends a café or shop — which happens to pay them commission for every tourist they bring in. The prices inside will be inflated. Fix: be polite, say thank you, and find your own way. Use Google Maps or ask your hotel for recommendations.
Dating and Companion Scam
A friendly local befriends a solo traveller and suggests a specific bar or restaurant. Once inside, inflated drink prices are charged and the local receives a cut. Fix: choose venues independently. If someone you’ve just met insists on a specific place, that’s a red flag.
Hoi An Boat Ride Scam
Operators quote cheap rates at the dock, then add hidden fees for lantern lighting, a guide, or “extras” once you’re already on the water. Fix: confirm the total price and exactly what’s included before boarding. Book through your hotel or a reputable agency.
Massage and Spa Overcharges
The advertised price is for a basic service; the final bill includes undisclosed add-ons for special oils, foot scrubs, or extended time. Fix: ask for the complete price list before the session starts and confirm what is included. Use spas with visible menus and online reviews.
Credit Card Overcharges
A restaurant or shop processes your card for more than the agreed amount, or alters the receipt total before you sign. Fix: check the total on the terminal screen before tapping or inserting your card, and review the printed receipt carefully before signing.
General Safety Tips
- Carry your bag in front of you in crowded areas — markets, bus stations, and night streets are common pickpocket zones
- Use a cross-body bag with zippers rather than a backpack or open tote
- Step into a doorway or off the street to use your phone; phone snatching from moving motorbikes is the most common petty theft
- Awareness is your best protection — once you know the patterns, they are easy to spot and sidestep
Tours & activities in Vietnam
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