How Does Scams to Avoid Work in Vietnam?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Asia
1The Quick Answer
Scams are very common in tourist areas — know the classics: taxi meter tampering, fake temple closures, shoe-shine cons, and overpriced non-menu restaurants.
2What You Need to Know
The 'closed today' scam involves a friendly stranger telling you your intended temple or attraction is closed and offering to take you to an alternative (which pays them commission). Shoe-shine boys offer unsolicited free shines then demand large sums of money. Xe om drivers and some metered taxis inflate fares dramatically for tourists. Restaurants without printed menus or prices quoted only verbally frequently charge multiples of the normal rate, particularly for seafood.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Always agree on a price before getting on any xe om (motorbike taxi) that is not booked through Grab.
- 2If a stranger tells you a landmark is closed, verify independently — walk past them and check for yourself or look online.
- 3At seafood restaurants, always confirm the price per 100g (not per piece) and get it in writing before ordering — 'fresh catch' pricing scams are very common in coastal towns.
Important Warning
Fake tour operators selling Ha Long Bay overnight cruises online and at street booths collect payment and disappear — only book through licensed operators with verifiable reviews.
How does this compare?
Scams to Avoid rules in nearby and similar countries:
Japan is one of the world's most honest countries — scams are virtually nonexistent and all prices are fixed.
Bargaining is normal at markets, but tourists face specific scams including tuk-tuk gem shop detours, fake tours, and the notorious jet ski damage scam in Phuket.
Singapore is one of the world's most scam-resistant destinations, but Sim Lim Square electronics scams targeting tourists are a known and documented risk.
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Vietnam enforces extremely strict drug laws including the death penalty for trafficking, and any criticism of the Communist Party government is illegal.
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Cover shoulders and knees when visiting temples or pagodas; everywhere else dress is casual and beach towns are very relaxed.
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