10 Vietnam Scams To Avoid 2025 - Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An & Hanoi
- Afrah F
- Jun 20
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 30

Travelling to Vietnam was one of the best decisions we made this year, and the experience was amazing! We were surprised by how great our experience was compared to Thailand. Though many people warned us about Vietnam scams, like in Turkey, we were surprised to come across almost none. Nevertheless, these scams still happen in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An and Hanoi, and are targeted towards tourists.
Here are 10 Vietnam Scams that you'll come across as a tourist and how to successfully avoid them so they don't end up ruining your trip.
Top 10 Vietnam Scams & How to Avoid Them
eVisa Agent Scam
It starts right at the very beginning when you prepare to apply for a Vietnam eVisa online. Keep in mind that any Vietnam tourism/travel-related online platform is almost certainly a scam if not a rip-off.
How to avoid: Make sure you visit the actual government eVisa portal and apply directly. This way, you don't have to pay twice the Visa fee for the same job.

Currency Scam
We've explained this in our Vietnam Travel Tips article more elaborately. The Vietnamese Dong currency is one of the trickiest currencies in the world. Not only do they trade in thousands with 1$ being worth 25.000 VND, but the Dong notes all look alike. Plus, due to the extra 000s, you can easily mix up a 10.000 note and a 100.000 note, and vendors and taxi drivers know exactly how to trick you.
How to avoid: Rearrange your wallet with designated slots for banknotes. Especially the 500.000 and 200.000 notes should be tucked away safely and only taken out when necessary. Also, when vendors and drivers give you change, always double-check.
Charity Fund
We almost got caught in a Charity fund scam INSIDE the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long in Hanoi. I was not quite expecting when a man suddenly popped in front of us and handed me a form, saying, 'We are helping children, can you take part in a survey?' We gave the form back immediately as we saw it required a signature beneath a shady clause. We didn't inform the security as the man was quick on his feet.
How to avoid: Do not take part in any random surveys or sign any form handed to you regarding charity donations. But don't worry about the kindergarten kids who'll approach you to ask questions in English. They're harmless.
Unlicensed Travel Agent Scam
Travel agent scams are one of the most common Vietnam scams in 2025. There are many unlicensed travel agents in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Even licensed agents would go so far as to rip you off, charging twice the price you can get for tours online. We booked our Ha Long Bay Day tour while in Hanoi, and our hotel couldn't do the booking for us. We ended up booking through a local agent and were charged 80$. We bargained and paid 70$. But the tour generally costs about 50$.
How to avoid: Book your tours like the Ba Na Hills Tour in advance through Booking.com, GetYourGuide or other sites. Or else, check in advance with your hotel whether they can help you book the tours before you get there.
Photo Op Scam

When someone says Vietnam, you'd think of vendors and farmers wearing conical hats and riding boats. Naturally, you'd want to click a few photographs with those who are wearing the hats. Keep in mind that these photo ops come with a fee. Often disguised as selling fruits and vegetables at exorbitant prices, you are forced to buy.
How to avoid: If you want to take a photo, make sure you ask the price and agree on it. You don't really have to buy anything as long as you agree to pay for the photo op. But make sure you're not scammed. A photo would cost about 2$.
Restaurant Menu & Freebies Scam
This is yet another common scam that we faced in Turkey as well. Local restaurants have separate menus with no prices on them for tourists. If you still order without asking for a price, you'll end up getting a hefty bill at the end of the meal.

Additionally, Vietnamese food comes with various side dishes, but keep in mind that nothing is free. Not even the wet wipes (even if they bring them before you place the order). When we were in a Banh Xeo Restaurant in Hoi An, we were charged for wet wipes that we didn't even use. Luckily, we checked the bill and informed that we haven't opened the packets.
How to avoid: Don't sit down at restaurants with no prices on menus. Always ask the price before you place the order. If you're unsure whether something is a freebie, ask. Don't assume. Sometimes, it may be a freebie.
Unlimited Data SIM Card Scam
There are many SIM card providers in Vietnam, and the top recommended ones are Viettel, Vinaphone and Mobifone. But here's the tricky part: you'll find many authorised and non-authorised sellers of these official SIM cards in the airport and out, offering you various packages at competitive prices.

We got two 10-Day Unlimited Tourist Data Packages from a Viettel seller at the airport (this was not the official booth), and one of our packages ended on the 6th day. It was not unlimited data. When we went to an official Viettel store, the rep couldn't help us as this was a one-time-use SIM.
How to avoid: Get your SIM from the official booth if you'll be staying in Vietnam for more than 7 Days. It'll be slightly more expensive, but at least you'll know what you'll be receiving.
Taxi Meter Scam
One of the most common scams in Vietnam is the Taxi Meter Scam, especially in Hanoi and Saigon. We had heard so much about how drivers take unnecessary rounds to crack up the meter, or have tapped meters. So we strictly limited ourselves to Grab or walking, and saved a lot of money.
How to avoid: Use Grab in Ho Chi Minh City as pavements are not built for walking, and the heat can exhaust you. In Hanoi, we didn't take a single taxi as the weather was chill and the roads were less chaotic.
Shoe Shine Scam
The classic Asian scam is the Shoe Shine Scam, which we've encountered in several other countries as well. We did not expect to come across this in Vietnam, and when we did, my husband and I had a good laugh. The man was seated near Vincom Mall in Ho Chi Minh City, a few meters away from Nguyen Hue Street. He insisted that our shoes were dirty, luckily, he didn't force himself.
How to avoid: Shoe shine scammers often drop something to get your attention, then insist on cleaning your shoes, and later demand an inflated fee. If you encounter this, simply walk away. They may persist, but firmly refuse and keep moving.

Petty Theft (Pickpocketing, Snatching)
Just like any other country that thrives on tourism, you'll equally find pickpockets eyeing valuables. Most theft cases come from Ho Chi Minh City during the New Year. Luckily for us, we were never robbed in Vietnam, but it's always best to keep an eye out for your belongings, especially if you're exploring alleys and clubs.
How to avoid: Avoid wandering down worn-out alleys at night just to find Instagrammable cafes. Keep an eye on your wallet, especially if you’re busy filming a vlog or taking photos. And remember, you don’t need to carry your passport everywhere; a copy is more than enough.
Conclusion
Compared to sophisticated scams in Turkey, Vietnam scams are much lighter. Some don't even qualify as full-blown scams. (eg, Michelin Star scam)
Setting aside the easily avoidable scams, we also encourage travellers to treat locals with respect. The Vietnamese are kind when you’re kind to them. We met wonderful people in Ho Chi Minh City, always felt welcomed, and rarely encountered any scams during our stay.
Comments