Common scams in Vietnam

The scams you'll actually run into

1. Rigged taxi meters and fake companies

   Taxis at airports and tourist areas run meters that climb two to five times too fast, or use names and colours nearly identical to the reputable firms (Vinasun, Mai Linh).

   H.A.C.K. · Hurry

   The move — Use Grab or Xanh SM (the app fixes the price). If you must take a street taxi, only Vinasun or Mai Linh, and watch the meter against your map.

2. Motorbike rental damage and passport hold

   You rent a scooter, leave your passport as deposit, and on return the shop finds “new” damage or claims the bike was stolen from where you parked, keeping the passport until you pay.

   H.A.C.K. · Kill-Switch

   The move — Never leave your passport — pay a cash deposit. Film the bike in detail before riding, and use your own lock.

3. Note confusion (20,000 vs 500,000 dong)

   Several Vietnamese notes are similar in colour. Drivers and vendors give change short, or claim you paid a 20k note when you paid 500k.

   H.A.C.K. · Comfort

   The move — Separate large notes into a different pocket. Count out payment slowly and say the amount; count change before moving off.

4. “Practice my English” café bill

   A friendly student in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City wants to practise English, suggests a café or bar, and you end up covering an inflated bill — sometimes with “hostess” charges.

   H.A.C.K. · Comfort

   The move — Chat in a public place, not a venue they pick. If you go somewhere, choose it yourself and see prices first.

5. Cyclo (xích lô) price after the ride

   A cyclo driver agrees a low price, then at the end insists it was per person, in dollars, or for a fraction of the distance actually covered.

   H.A.C.K. · Hurry

   The move — Write the price, currency and route on your phone and show the driver before starting. Agree it's the total.

6. Shoeshine and coconut-seller grab

   A shoeshiner starts “repairing” your sandal uninvited, or a street seller puts their yoke and hat on your shoulder for a photo, then demands payment.

   H.A.C.K. · Comfort

   The move — Pull your foot back; don't let anyone put anything on you. No agreement, no payment — keep walking.

What these scams have in common

Most Vietnam scams lean on Comfort. Whatever the trick, the way out is the same three moves — Pause · Assess · Talk: stop before you pay, hand over a document or follow someone; ask what the request really wants; then say it out loud to someone you trust, or your bank on the number from your card.

Vietnam travel-scam FAQ

Official travel advisories for Vietnam

Fraud and scam wording pulled from the official Canadian and New Zealand travel advisories. Use the government sources for current travel decisions.

Scam guides for nearby destinations

H.A.C.K. — the four pressure tactics

Every scam on this page is tagged with the tactic it uses. Recognise the tactic, not the trick.

H Hurry

Urgency. A deadline, a countdown or a “right now” that leaves no time to check.

A Authority

Officialdom. A badge, a title, a uniform or an official-sounding request you feel you can't question.

C Comfort

Familiarity. A friendly local, a routine or an emotion that makes the request feel safer than it is.

K Kill-Switch

The cut-off. The moment you're pushed to pay, click, hand over a document or follow someone — before you can verify.

The way out of all four: Pause · Assess · Talk.