Scams

Tourism is well established in Vietnam and so are the scams – but not everyone is out to get you. The one that you’ll no doubt encounter and may have already read about is the copy-cat businesses that exist. If you own a successful hotel, then you can expect there to be a duplicate somewhere close by – including name, branding, frontage-signs and in some cases we’ve seen them go as far as to copy the lay-out of reception! Here are some of the others, which even the most experienced travellers have fallen foul off.

Money Switch

Be wary with the 500,000d and the 20,000d notes. It’s one that we’ve heard off on several occasions where a taxi driver collecting someone newly arrived in the country takes a 500,000d note and quickly switches it with a 20,000d note telling you with a smile on their face that “you’ve given a small note by mistake”. The best way with handling money is to make it visibly clear to the driver you know what note you are giving them by taking your time and handing them one note at a time.

Hotel Safes

Your hotelier will be keen to make your stay a good one and that your belongings are safe. Most, if not all, will have a safe to keep your hard currency in. If you do take advantage of this service, then ensure that you count the money out to the hotelier and take a receipt. When your money is returned, take the same count back. It may be worth writing it out in detail as well (i.e. 2 x $100, 5 x $20… etc). When money “goes missing” it is normally just a few notes, in the hope that you don’t notice. Unfortunately still, if money does go missing then you’ll have to get the police involved and though they may get your money back it is not something that will happen within a week or two.

Use of travel sites like Trip Advisor can be useful, but not always that accurate. We’ve stayed in hotels that have complaints against them and had no issues, but have also returned to hotels where we’ve had no issues but have then had our rooms visited by staff. In particular, be aware of your room on your last night if you have already told them that you are moving on.

Bag Snatching

This is becoming more and more common unfortunately. In the last few years, the influx of younger holiday makers brings with it a lack of caution which the unscrupulous are taking advantage of. In addition, with so many motorbikes on the road with two passengers it’s a difficult one to keep your eye on.

Small handbag/ purses that can be snatched away from you, bags sat on the beach either early morning/ late in the afternoon when more locals are on the beach, busy tourist streets at night where motorcycles have access and when you are alighting that bus after a long journey are all common complaints.

If possible, buy yourself a couple of cheap imitation climbing clips and make it clear that your bags are locked together. When travelling on overnight buses, again ensure you have your bag and be careful about who is being “helpful” on the side of the road.

Motorbike Rental

It’s easy to rent a bike in Vietnam, with just your passport or driving licence (whether you’re qualified or not!) being needed to secure the deal. Be sure to check the bike before you take it as there are reports of people being fined for damages. In this day in age with digital photography and even phones carrying video recording facilities, why not walk around the bike recording it’s condition and delete after you have returned it. Ensure that the member of staff is aware that you are recording this as well!

These are the big ones that we know off, though the one thing you’ll come to realise after learning their history, they are one creative and resourceful nation! By and large it is very safe but just be warned and wary of the big ones and make your own decisions on the smaller scams such as “parking charges for your bike?” – if it’s not on their property then there shouldn’t be a charge and “baggage charges on buses?” – get a receipt for each bag and you help them count!