25 Vietnam Travel Scams to Avoid in 2025 (With Real Examples)

How it works: You order a Grab bike or car. A random driver approaches claiming to be your Grab. Their vehicle plate doesn't match the app.

How to avoid it:

• Always verify the plate number and driver photo in the Grab app before getting in
• Move to a quieter spot when waiting - fake drivers target you in crowded pickup zones where it's hard to check

How it works: Common in Hanoi's Old Quarter. Driver agrees to "10,000 VND" - you assume that's for the ride, they mean per minute or per block. At destination: 200,000–500,000 VND.

How to avoid it:

• Always agree on the total price upfront before getting in
• Show a written note if there's a language barrier: "Total price for this ride: ___ VND"
• Use Grab instead - no negotiation needed

How it works: You receive counterfeit VND as change, sometimes mixed into a stack of real notes. "Hell money" - decorative notes used in Vietnamese funeral rituals - resembles real currency at a glance.

How to avoid it:

• Learn what genuine VND looks like - polymer notes have a visible security strip
• Count change in good lighting before pocketing it
• If you're handed something suspicious, compare it to a known real note

How it works: Exchange shops advertise attractive rates on a board outside, then apply hidden fees or switch to a worse rate once you hand over your money.

How to avoid it:

• Use ATMs for the best rates with minimal fees (a travel card like Wise or Revolut helps)
• If exchanging cash, use gold shops (tiệm vàng) in major cities - they offer the best legitimate rates
• Always confirm the exact amount you'll receive before handing anything over

How it works: Card skimming devices are placed over ATM card slots to clone your card data. More common on standalone ATMs in tourist areas than on bank-branch ATMs.

How to avoid it:

• Use ATMs attached to bank branches - inside or on the exterior wall
• Cover the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN
• Use a travel card (Wise, Revolut) with instant transaction notifications and easy freeze/unfreeze

How it works: A friendly local approaches and offers to show you around or recommends a restaurant, shop, or tailor. They receive a commission from the business, and you end up paying inflated prices.

How to avoid it:

• Politely decline unsolicited "help" from strangers
• Find restaurants and shops based on reviews, not street recommendations
• This is especially common near major temples and tourist markets

How it works: At popular temples, someone dressed as (or claiming to be) a monk approaches, ties a bracelet on your wrist, or places incense in your hands, then demands money for the "blessing."

How to avoid it:

• Politely but firmly refuse anything handed to you unsolicited
• Genuine monks in Vietnam generally do not approach tourists to solicit donations
• If a bracelet is tied on your wrist, you're not obligated to pay - simply remove it

How it works: A taxi driver insists your hotel is "closed," "full," or "moved," and takes you to an alternative where they earn commission. Some budget hotels even share names with more reputable ones.

How to avoid it:

• Book in advance and have the hotel address saved on your phone
• If told your hotel is closed, call the hotel directly before going anywhere
• Confirm the name and address on your booking before getting in any taxi

How it works: Unofficial operators sell tickets to popular attractions or day trips at slightly below-market prices. The tickets are fake, or the tour doesn't exist.

How to avoid it:

• Buy tours and tickets through your hotel, official websites, or well-reviewed agencies on TripAdvisor or GetYourGuide
• Be suspicious of anyone selling tickets on the street or in unmarked offices

How it works: You rent a motorbike. When you return it, the owner claims damage that wasn't there before - or damage they caused themselves. They hold your passport (used as deposit) until you pay.

How to avoid it:

• Photograph the bike thoroughly - every scratch and dent - before riding away
• Never leave your actual passport as a deposit; use a cash deposit or a photocopy instead
• Rent from guesthouses or reputable agencies rather than random street shops

How it works: Thieves on motorbikes grab bags, phones, or cameras from pedestrians - sometimes with enough force to knock you down. Most common in Ho Chi Minh City.

How to avoid it:

• Carry bags on the shoulder away from the road
• Keep phones in your pocket rather than in your hand while walking
• Use a crossbody bag with a short strap that can't be easily grabbed

How it works: Your phone is grabbed while you're using it - particularly while sitting at a street café near the road, or while taking photos.

How to avoid it:

• Sit away from the street edge at outdoor cafés
• Be aware of motorbikes slowing near you while you have your phone out
• Enable Find My Device and use a PIN lock

How it works: Common in crowded markets, bus stations, and night markets. Often works in pairs - one distracts while the other takes.

How to avoid it:

• Use a money belt or hidden pocket for cash and cards in crowded areas
• Keep your backpack in front of you on busy streets
• Don't carry more cash than you need for the day