Top 5 Tourist Scams in Vietnam 2026
Vietnam is incredibly safe, but opportunistic scams exist. Don’t let a minor trick ruin your trip. Here is the ultimate guide to spotting and avoiding them.
Last Updated: June 2026
Violent crime against tourists in Vietnam is exceedingly rare. However, petty theft and well-rehearsed scams in tourist hotspots (like Hanoi’s Old Quarter or Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1) are common. Armed with this knowledge, you can easily outsmart them and enjoy a flawless vacation.
Because the Vietnamese Dong (VND) has so many zeros, the 500,000 VND note (blue) and 20,000 VND note (blue) look identical to a rushed tourist. Always double-check the zeros before handing over cash. Take your time—nobody is rushing you.
The 5 Most Common Tourist Scams
The Fake Taxi & Meter Rigging
Drivers at airports will approach you aggressively. If you get in, the meter spins unnaturally fast, turning a $5 ride into $50.
Never hail random taxis. ALWAYS use Grab or Xanh SM. If you must use a taxi, stick to Vinasun or Mai Linh.
The ‘Shoeshine’ Ambush
While you sit at a cafe, a man points at your shoe, immediately starts applying glue or brushing it without permission, then demands an exorbitant fee.
Pull your feet away instantly. Say a firm ‘NO’ and look away. Do not let them touch your shoes.
The Photo Prop Extortion
A friendly vendor puts their conical hat and fruit baskets on your shoulder for a photo. After you snap it, they force you to buy fruit at crazy prices.
Decline the baskets. If you want a photo, negotiate a small tip (e.g., 20,000 VND) beforehand.
The ‘Your Hotel is Closed’ Trick
Your taxi driver claims your booked hotel is closed due to a fire or renovation, and takes you to a ‘friend’s hotel’ where they get a commission.
Insist on being dropped at the exact address you booked. Check your booking app to verify.
Fake Tour Agencies
Famous agencies like ‘The Sinh Tourist’ are cloned by scammers. You book a luxury cruise but end up on a rusty boat.
Book online via Klook/Agoda, or verify the exact official street address on the company’s real website.
General Safety Tips for Vietnam
- Bag Snatching: Motorbike drive-by snatching happens in big cities. Wear bags cross-body, away from the street side.
- Crossing the Street: Don’t hesitate. Walk slowly and predictably at a steady pace. The motorbikes will flow around you like water.
- Emergency Numbers: Police: 113. Ambulance: 115. However, your hotel reception is usually your fastest help.
🌍 Read our Ultimate Da Nang Travel Guide 2026