Scams to Avoid
Taxi meters, fake tour offices, ATM skimming, drink-spiking, motorbike rentals.
21 articles in this section. Most stand on their own.
Counterfeit medicine in Vietnam — risk and how to avoid
Vietnamese pharmacies are mostly fine, but counterfeit medicine exists at the edges — what to watch for, where to buy safely, and which drug categories carry highest risk.
Dating and romance scams in Vietnam
The expat-and-traveller-targeted patterns — Tinder long-cons, 'I need money for my sick mother', visa-marriage cons. What to watch for and how to verify.
Dating-app fraud in Vietnam
Tinder and Vietnamese-app patterns aimed at foreigners — the cafe-overcharge, the moneyup-front ask, and the romance long con.
Fake hotel and homestay listings in Vietnam
Booking.com and Airbnb have largely stamped these out, but they still occur — fake listings, address-swap fraud, and the 'no-such-hotel' arrival shock. How to verify.
The Vietnamese gem scam — what it is and how to spot it
The 'tea-house gem-store invitation' is the country's most-elaborate scam — set-up, pressure, fake export-paperwork, and the fact you can't actually resell.
Job and recruitment scams targeting foreigners in Vietnam
Fake teaching jobs, fake work-visa promises, advance-fee recruiting scams, and the 'trafficking' risk that's been recurring on the Cambodia border.
Nightclub bill padding in Vietnam
Inflated nightclub tabs, the menu-without-prices, the dim-lights pour and the security-pressure-to-pay reality.
Visa-agency fraud in Vietnam
Fake e-visa websites, padded 'express' fees, agencies promising approval for unclear visa classes — how to tell legitimate Vietnamese immigration agents from the rest.
Weight-loss pill scams in Vietnam
Unregulated diet-pill stalls in tourist areas — what they actually sell, the health risks, and how to spot them.
Drink Spiking in Vietnam's Nightlife Districts
Rare but documented, mostly in backpacker bar zones. Basic drink hygiene removes almost all of the risk, and Vietnam's overall nightlife safety record is better than most Western cities.
Fake Police Shakedowns
Uncommon, but it happens — usually around backpacker areas or as a roadside stop. Real Vietnamese police follow specific procedures, and knowing them takes most of the pressure off.
The Friendly Stranger Approach: Genuine or Not
Most Vietnamese people who strike up a conversation with you are sincere. A small number aren't. Here's how to tell the difference without becoming the kind of traveller who turns down every greeting.
Money Exchange Scams and Where to Change Currency Safely
Independent money changers in tourist areas use a small bag of tricks at the moment of handover. Banks, ATMs, and a little vigilance solve almost all of it.
Phone and Bag Snatching in Vietnamese Cities
The most common urban crime affecting foreigners in Ho Chi Minh City, and to a lesser extent Hanoi. A handful of habits stop almost all of it.
Restaurant Overcharging and Menu Tricks
Most Vietnamese restaurants are scrupulously fair. A small number in tourist zones pad the bill in predictable ways — here's how to read a menu, a receipt, and a 'market price'.
Taxi Meter Scams (and How to Avoid Them)
Rigged meters, fake taxi liveries, refusal to use the meter. The simplest fix: use Grab or Be.
The Tea House and Gem Shop Scam
A friendly chat in Hoan Kiem or District 1 turns into a sit-down sales pitch for overpriced tea, gems, or art. Here's how to recognise it early and step away politely.
Train and Bus Station Touts
Major Vietnamese transport hubs have a layer of aggressive intermediaries between you and the official ticket counter. Walking past them — or booking online before you arrive — solves it.
Fake Tour Offices and Knock-Off Brands
The Hanoi Old Quarter is famous for shop names that copy reputable tour operators letter for letter. How to spot the genuine ones.
ATM Skimming and Card Cloning
ATM skimming is real and persistent in Vietnam. Use bank-branch ATMs in daylight, cover the keypad, and check your card statements.
Motorbike Rental Deposits and Fake Damage Claims
Renting a motorbike is part of Vietnam travel for many visitors. The most common rip-off is a fake damage claim at the end of the rental.