Learn about scams in Vietnam? Since I first started backpacking back in 2013, I’ve encountered all kinds of travel scams—shady taxi drivers, unexpected “fees” tacked onto what looked like a great bargain, and plenty more in between. Whenever these things happened, I tried to see them as learning experiences. I’ve now traveled Vietnam for over three months—sometimes solo, sometimes as a couple—and covered huge distances by motorbike (like the Ha Giang Loop and the ride from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi).
Vietnam is absolutely incredible, from its friendly locals to its gorgeous landscapes, but like any major tourist hub, it has its fair share of scams.
Below are some of the common scams you might run into while exploring this vibrant country, plus tips on how to avoid them. I also can’t recommend enough that you get a local Vietnamese eSIM before arriving—this way, you’re instantly connected for booking rides, checking Google Maps, or quickly translating menus the moment you land. If you’ve already read up on Scams in Thailand, you’ll notice some crossover (unfortunately, scammers use similar tricks worldwide!). Let’s dive in so you can avoid the pitfalls and enjoy Vietnam safely.
List of Scams in Vietnam
Transportation Scams
- Dodgy Airport & “Fake Grab” Rides
- What Happens: Outside the airport, individuals dressed like Grab drivers (or using a phone with the Grab app open) offer a ride but charge an inflated cash fee. Some even swap cars or drivers mid-journey.
- How to Avoid: Get online via Wi-Fi or your Vietnam eSIM to book an official Grab (or similar) ride. Match the car’s plate and driver profile from the app before getting in.
- Rigged Taxi Meters & Long-Route Detours
- What Happens: Drivers tamper with meters to climb faster or intentionally take a longer route.
- How to Avoid: Stick to reputable taxi companies like Vinasun or Mai Linh. Watch the map on your phone. If the driver won’t comply, ask to stop and exit.
- Motorbike Rental Traps
- What Happens: After renting, you may be accused of damage you didn’t cause, or the shop steals the bike from you mid-rental and charges you for a “lost bike.”
- How to Avoid: Rent from highly rated shops or via your hotel. Take photos or a video of the bike’s condition beforehand. Never leave your passport; offer a photocopy or deposit.
- Cyclo Driver “Waiting Fee” Scam
- What Happens: A cyclo driver quotes a cheap fare but later charges hefty “waiting fees” or demands extra to get you back to your hotel.
- How to Avoid: Set a total price (including any waiting time) upfront. Use your phone map to ensure the ride is what you agreed on.
Street & Vendor Scams
- Coconut & Fruit Sellers
- What Happens: Sellers carry baskets of coconuts or fruit and offer a “free photo” or sample, then demand an inflated payment once you accept.
- How to Avoid: Politely decline freebies from roving vendors. If you do want fruit, buy from a stall with clear posted prices.
- Shoe Cleaning / “Broken Sandal” Fix
- What Happens: They “fix” your shoe (or break it themselves first) and then charge you a small fortune for “repairs.”
- How to Avoid: Don’t let anyone touch your footwear. Firmly say no and walk away if they insist.
- Donut or Flower “Freebies”
- What Happens: You’re handed a donut, flower, or other item for “free,” then asked for an unreasonable amount.
- How to Avoid: Don’t take anything you didn’t plan to buy. If a vendor tries to put something in your hand, politely decline.
Sightseeing & “Photo Op” Scams
- Water Buffalo “Photo” Trap
- What Happens: Locals pose on water buffalo and invite you to sit for a picture, then demand a steep fee for the photo and ride.
- How to Avoid: Snap pictures from a distance. If someone urges you onto a buffalo, decline unless you’re willing to pay.
- “Free Guide” at Tourist Spots
- What Happens: A “friendly local” offers a free tour to practice English, but at the end, demands a large tip or fee.
- How to Avoid: Politely decline unsolicited guides. If you do accept, confirm there’s no cost involved from the start.
- Fake Tour Agencies
- What Happens: Shopfronts or websites use well-known brand logos but provide subpar or nonexistent services.
- How to Avoid: Book with established agencies (check Google, TripAdvisor). Verify their address, read recent reviews, and compare prices online.
Money & Banking Scams
- Currency Confusion (USD vs. VND)
- What Happens: You think you’re paying 100,000 VND (~$4), but the vendor claims it’s 100 USD (~2,400,000 VND).
- How to Avoid: Always confirm the currency before handing over cash. Pay in VND whenever possible. Double-check the zeroes on notes.
- Money-Changing Sleight of Hand
- What Happens: You give a 500,000 VND note, but they switch it for a 20,000 VND note and say you underpaid.
- How to Avoid: Use smaller bills or exact change. Watch the vendor count your money carefully.
- ATM Skimming & Bad Exchange Rates
- What Happens: Skimmers capture card info at poorly monitored ATMs, or shady exchange kiosks tack on hidden fees.
- How to Avoid: Use ATMs attached to banks, and if you need to send money to or from Vietnam, consider Wise (formerly TransferWise) for fair exchange rates and transparent fees.
Shopping & Tailor Scams
- Duplicate Businesses
- What Happens: A well-reviewed tailor or tour shop has a near-identical neighbor with a similar name but far worse quality.
- How to Avoid: Check addresses carefully. Ask your hotel/hostel for the exact street number or use GPS to confirm.
- Fake “Branded” Goods
- What Happens: Vendors insist their clothing or accessories are genuine North Face, Nike, etc., but it’s all knockoffs.
- How to Avoid: If it’s sold at a market, assume it’s fake. If you’re okay with that, haggle hard. Otherwise, buy from official stores.
- Market Overpricing & Hard Haggling
- What Happens: Vendors quote tourists 4–5 times the local price.
- How to Avoid: Negotiate. Start at half (or less) of their initial offer. Be prepared to walk away if it feels too high.
Food, Restaurant & Bar Scams
- Menus Without Prices
- What Happens: You order, then get an outrageously high bill.
- How to Avoid: Ask for the price upfront or only eat where prices are clearly displayed.
- Overcharging / “Missing Zeroes” on Your Bill
- What Happens: The final tally has an extra zero or sneaky additional charges.
- How to Avoid: Double-check each line on the bill. Question anything you didn’t order.
- Bottle Service & “New Friends”
- What Happens: Someone chatty convinces you to order expensive bottles/shots, then disappears when the bill comes.
- How to Avoid: Keep track of your own tab. If a stranger urges big orders, it’s likely a setup.
Accommodation Scams
- Bait-and-Switch Rooms
- What Happens: Your booking shows a lovely room, but you arrive to find it’s “unavailable” and they’ll charge more for an “upgrade.”
- How to Avoid: Read reviews carefully. If you see frequent mentions of overbooking or forced upsells, pick another spot.
- Fake Hotel Listings
- What Happens: You arrive at the address, but the hotel doesn’t match photos (or doesn’t exist at all).
- How to Avoid: Stick to reputable platforms (Booking, Agoda, Airbnb) and cross-check photos and reviews on multiple sites.
- Withholding Passports
- What Happens: Some places hold your passport, then claim you caused damages or owe more money.
- How to Avoid: Never leave your original passport as collateral. Provide a copy or a small cash deposit instead.
Tour & Activity Scams
- Knockoff Travel Agencies
- What Happens: You pay for a cheap Halong Bay or Sapa tour, but it ends up being terrible or not happening at all.
- How to Avoid: Book with established agencies, read plenty of recent reviews, and verify exactly what’s included (entrance fees, transportation, meals, etc.).
- Free “Trekking Guides”
- What Happens: You’re offered a “free” guided trek, but at the end, they demand a big tip.
- How to Avoid: Confirm all costs upfront, or use recognized, well-reviewed guides. Expect that “free” often means they’ll push hard for money afterward.
- Canceled or Downgraded Cruises
- What Happens: You book a fancy cruise (e.g., Halong Bay), but at the last minute they say it’s canceled or broken down, then move you to a cheaper boat at the same price.
- How to Avoid: Double-check the operator’s reputation online, look for recent traveler feedback, and don’t hesitate to ask for a refund if the cruise is not as advertised.
Tip: Always ask questions before you pay: “Are park fees included? What about meals?” A reputable agency will have clear, consistent answers. If they’re evasive, it’s a red flag.
Looking for a good Halong Bay Tour? Check out Friends for Travel
Nightlife & Bar Girl Scams
- Commission-Based Chat Ups
- What Happens: A “friendly” stranger or bar staff urges you to buy expensive drinks or order bottles, earning them a big commission.
- How to Avoid: Know what you’re spending. Ask for the price of each order, and keep your own tab.
- “Overnight Love” Scam
- What Happens: A local seems smitten, then either asks for money or disappears after you pay for their drinks.
- How to Avoid: Have fun, but be cautious if someone you just met is pushing you to spend money or “help them out financially.”
Mobile & Internet Scams
- Fake SIM Card Plans
- What Happens: Street sellers promise “unlimited data” for a month, but it’s already partially used, or data is capped after a few days.
- How to Avoid: Buy from official carriers (Viettel, MobiFone, etc.) or use a trusted Vietnam eSIM. Double-check the balance upon activation.
- Exorbitant Markups
- What Happens: Some corner shops sell SIMs at double or triple the real price, assuming travelers won’t know the difference.
- How to Avoid: Do a quick Google search to find the standard price. If it’s wildly different, walk away.
- Malicious Apps or “Wi-Fi Hacks”
- What Happens: Infected Wi-Fi hotspots or “app downloads” can steal your data.
- How to Avoid: Stick to known Wi-Fi networks (cafés, hotels) and don’t download random apps from unverified sources.
Additional Tips for Scams in Vietnam
- Stay Calm if You’re Scammed: For smaller amounts, it might be best to walk away. Confrontations can escalate quickly.
- Contact Local Authorities: If you’re threatened or scammed out of a large sum, find the nearest police station or tourist police (in major cities). Keep receipts or evidence if possible.
- Get Covered: Travel insurance is huge. If something’s stolen, you can file a claim. Also, always keep backups of important documents.
Tip: Avoid common pitfalls by staying connected (that a local Vietnamese eSIM helps immensely), trusting your instincts, and keeping an eye on your belongings. Vietnam is a fantastic country—don’t let a few bad apples ruin your trip. If you want to compare notes, check out our list of scams in Thailand too. You’ll see how similar these tactics can be across borders!
Have a scam story or tip to share? Let us know in the comments. The more we pool our knowledge, the easier it is for everyone to enjoy traveling in Vietnam without hassles.
Safe travels, and stay savvy!
