Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia's most rewarding destinations, but its bustling streets come with a range of scams targeting tourists. From motorbike rental fraud in Hanoi's Old Quarter to beach overcharges in Da Nang, here's your protection guide.
The Motorbike Rental Damage Scam
How it works: 1. You rent a motorbike/scooter from a shop 2. You leave your passport as a deposit (common practice, but risky) 3. When you return the bike, the shop claims you caused "damage" — scratches, dents, or mechanical issues that were already there 4. They demand $200-500+ in "repairs" and hold your passport hostage
How to protect yourself: - NEVER leave your passport — offer a photocopy or cash deposit instead - Take detailed photos and video of the bike BEFORE riding, including existing damage - Send photos to the rental shop via WhatsApp or text (creates a timestamped record) - Use reputable rental companies with Google reviews (Tigit Motorbikes, Style Motorbikes) - Get a written rental agreement with the daily rate and deposit terms - Check that the rental includes insurance
The Grab Bike vs. Xe Ôm Debate
Xe ôm (motorbike taxis) are traditional but unmetered — fares are negotiated and tourists consistently overpay.
Best transport options: - Grab (Southeast Asia's Uber) — transparent pricing, GPS tracking, safe - Be — Vietnamese ride-hailing app, often cheaper than Grab - Xe ôm — only if you enjoy negotiating; expect to pay 2-3x the Grab price
The Shoe Shine / Shoe Repair Trick
How it works: A shoe shiner squirts glue or paint on your shoes and then offers to "fix" them. After the repair, they demand an inflated price (200,000-500,000 VND). If you refuse, they become aggressive.
How to avoid it: - Decline all unsolicited shoe services - If your shoes are damaged, walk away to a different area before addressing it - Say "Không, cảm ơn" (No, thank you) firmly
Cyclo Overcharges
Cyclos (pedal-powered rickshaws) are iconic in Hanoi and HCMC. Drivers quote one price and demand another at the end — sometimes claiming the quoted price was "per minute" not "per ride."
How to handle it: - Agree on the total price and duration BEFORE getting in - Write the price down and show it to the driver - A 30-minute cyclo tour should cost 100,000-150,000 VND - Consider a Grab bike instead for point-to-point transport
The Fake Dong Note
Some money changers and street vendors give change using old Vietnamese Dong notes that are no longer legal tender, or they confuse tourists by mixing up 500,000 VND (blue) with 20,000 VND (blue-grey) notes.
Know your notes: - 500,000 VND — blue/green (largest note, ≈ $20 USD) - 200,000 VND — red/orange - 100,000 VND — green - 50,000 VND — yellow-green - 20,000 VND — blue-grey - 10,000 VND — brown/yellow
Tips: - Familiarise yourself with denominations before arriving - Count change carefully - Use ATMs for the best exchange rates
Street Food Overcharging
Vietnam's street food is incredible and cheap — unless you're being scammed: - A phở should cost 30,000-60,000 VND ($1.20-2.40) - A bánh mì should cost 15,000-30,000 VND ($0.60-1.20) - A bia hơi (fresh beer) should cost 5,000-10,000 VND ($0.20-0.40)
If you're charged dramatically more: - Ask the price before ordering (always) - Eat where locals eat — follow the crowds - If a vendor charges 10x the normal price, walk away - Take a photo of any menu or price list
The Friendly Vietnamese Student
How it works: A young person approaches claiming to be an English student who wants to practice. After chatting, they suggest visiting a café or restaurant — where the bill is astronomical because they're in on the scam.
How to handle it: - Most of these encounters ARE genuine — Vietnamese people are famously friendly - Be cautious if they insist on a specific venue - Suggest a different café of your choosing - If the bill seems wrong, question it before paying
Ha Long Bay Cruise Scams
Budget Ha Long Bay cruises (under $100 per person) often involve: - Overcrowded boats - Poor food quality - Hidden fees for kayaking, cave visits, or transfers - Different boat than what was advertised - Short time on the bay (6 hours instead of advertised 2 days)
How to book safely: - Spend at least $150-200 per person for a quality overnight cruise - Book through reputable operators: Bhaya Cruises, Paradise Cruises, Indochina Junk - Read recent TripAdvisor reviews - Confirm exactly what's included before booking
Hoi An Tailoring Scams
Hoi An is famous for custom tailoring, but quality varies enormously: - Some shops use cheap fabric and poor stitching - "Cashmere" is often synthetic - "Silk" is sometimes polyester - Items may not match the original design
How to get quality tailoring: - Research shops on TripAdvisor before visiting - Feel the fabric — real silk is cool to the touch; polyester is warm - Order a simple item first as a test - Allow time for alterations (don't order on your last day) - Reputable shops: Yaly Couture, Bebe Tailor, A Dong Silk
Emergency Contacts
- Emergency: 113 (police), 114 (fire), 115 (ambulance)
- Tourist police Hanoi: +84 69 421 0692
- Tourist police HCMC: +84 28 3829 7693
- Report online: Avoid Travel Scams
Vietnam is an extraordinary country with stunning landscapes, incredible food, and warm people. A little awareness goes a long way — and the vast majority of your interactions will be genuine and wonderful.
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