Vietnam scam-avoidance checklist (printable)

Vietnam is a safe destination for most travellers. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The risks that do exist are mostly financial, concentrated at arrival points, and predictable. This checklist covers the scams reported most often so you know what to look for before you land. For a broader overview, read the safety overview.

Print this page or save it to your phone before you travel.

At the airport

• Use only the official taxi queue or a pre-booked ride-hail app (Grab is widely used and reliable at most airports).
• Ignore touts inside the arrivals hall who offer transport before you reach the queue.
• Confirm the driver has the meter running or has accepted a fixed Grab fare before you get in.
• Do not hand your luggage to anyone who approaches you unsolicited — some demand payment to return it.
• Check that your bags are all present before leaving the baggage area.

At hotel check-in

• Confirm the rate on paper or on screen before handing over a card.
• Ask which currency the price is in — USD and VND are both used; the difference matters at 2026 rates (around 25,000 VND per USD).
• Read what the deposit policy covers before paying. Most legitimate properties list it in writing.
• Check whether breakfast is included or charged separately; some front desks add it silently.
• If asked to leave your passport as a deposit, offer a photocopy instead. Most reputable places accept this.

Using ATMs

• Use ATMs attached to a bank branch rather than standalone machines on the street.
• Inspect the card slot and PIN pad for anything loose, discoloured, or stuck on — skimming devices are still reported.
• Cover the keypad with your other hand when entering your PIN.
• Decline the ATM's "conversion" offer (dynamic currency conversion). Accept the charge in VND and let your home bank convert — the ATM rate is usually worse.
• Withdraw during bank hours if possible so staff can help if the machine holds your card.
• Notify your bank before travel so the card is not frozen on first use.

Taking taxis

The taxi meter scams page covers this in detail. The short version:

• Use Grab or a similar app where the fare is agreed before the trip starts.
• If you take a street taxi, use Mai Linh or Vinasun in the south, or verified metered cabs in the north.
• Watch that the meter starts from zero and runs at a plausible rate.
• Do not get in a taxi that pulls up uninvited and pressures you to get in quickly.
• Agree on a fare in writing (or in the app) for any longer journey.

Friendly-stranger approaches

This pattern has a consistent shape: a local strikes up a friendly conversation, builds rapport over several minutes, then steers you toward a shop, card game, or tea ceremony. Read the full breakdown on the friendly stranger approach page.

• Be polite but cautious if a stranger approaches you near a landmark and offers to show you something special.
• Decline invitations to private homes or back-room venues you did not plan to visit.
• If you find yourself at a card game, leave. Most cases involve manufactured debt.
• A tea ceremony invitation from a stranger near major tourist sites often ends in a large bill — decline or ask for a menu with prices before sitting down.

Motorbike rental

• Photograph the bike thoroughly before you ride — every scratch, dent, and scuff — and send the photos to yourself with a timestamp.
• Read the rental agreement before signing. Some shops inflate damage claims on return.
• Ask what the deposit covers and get a receipt.
• Do not hand over your passport as security if you can help it. A cash deposit or a photocopy is preferable.
• Check that the helmet included is actually a full-face or at minimum a properly certified half-face helmet.

Restaurant overcharging

• Ask to see a menu with prices before ordering, even at a street stall.
• Confirm whether the price listed is per person or for the dish.
• Watch for items being added to your table (nuts, fruit, extra sauces) — these are sometimes charged without being asked for.
• Check your bill line by line before paying. Errors, genuine or not, happen.
• Prices in tourist-heavy areas are higher than elsewhere; this is not necessarily a scam, but knowing local norms helps.

Shopping for gems and silk

• Do not buy gemstones, jade, or jewellery on the basis of a tip from a stranger — the "factory closing down" or "export deal" story is a recognised setup.
• If you want silk or gems, buy from a fixed-price shop with reviews you can verify independently.
• Assume that anything described as a "special price just for you today" is the opposite.
• Do not let a driver take you to a shop as a "detour" — drivers often receive a commission, and prices reflect it.

Online booking scams

• Book tours and accommodation through platforms that hold payment until check-in or completion.
• Verify that the business has a physical address you can look up.
• If you pay in advance by bank transfer to an individual, assume there is no recourse if something goes wrong.
• Fake review profiles exist. Cross-check across two or more platforms.

What to do if scammed

• Report to the local tourist police if the amount is significant. Most cities have a tourist assistance line; ask your hotel for the current number.
• Keep any receipts, screenshots, or written agreements — these are useful for a report even if enforcement is limited.
• Contact your bank immediately if a card was compromised.
• Most cases cannot be resolved after the fact. The purpose of reporting is to create a record and, in some cases, to warn others through official channels.
• Adjust your approach for the rest of the trip rather than confronting the person involved — this rarely ends in the outcome you want.

Related

• The safety overview
• Taxi meter scams explained
• The friendly-stranger approach
• Getting around Vietnam
• Budget planning for Vietnam