Vietnam scams Australians should know about are typically minor, non-violent, and easily avoidable with basic awareness. Most involve overcharging, currency confusion, or misleading prices rather than anything threatening. Understanding how these scams work helps Australians travel confidently without unnecessary worry.
This guide explains the most common scams, why they happen, and how to avoid them with simple preparation.
Overview: Are Scams a Major Issue in Vietnam?
Scams exist in Vietnam, but they shouldn’t dominate your thinking or experience.
The vast majority of Vietnamese people are honest, hospitable, and welcoming to Australian visitors. Scams targeting tourists happen in predictable situations—airports, tourist markets, unofficial taxis—and rely on confusion rather than confrontation.
Australians who know rough price ranges, confirm costs upfront, and use established services avoid most issues. Those who do encounter scams report frustration and annoyance, not fear or danger. Vietnam remains a safe, rewarding destination where awareness matters more than caution.
Taxi and Transport Issues
Transport scams are the most frequently reported problem Australians face in Vietnam.
Meter manipulation: Some taxi drivers run meters at accelerated rates, quote fixed prices that exceed metered fares, or claim meters are broken. Australians unfamiliar with Vietnamese dong struggle to assess whether fares are reasonable.
In Ho Chi Minh City, a 30-minute trip should cost approximately 150,000–250,000 VND (roughly $10–$15 AUD). Drivers quoting 500,000 VND or more are overcharging significantly.
Unofficial taxis: Drivers approach Australians in airport arrivals halls offering rides. These vehicles look like taxis but operate without meters or official affiliation. They quote inflated fixed prices or take indirect routes to justify higher fares.
How Australians can avoid problems easily:
- Use the Grab app (Southeast Asia’s equivalent to Uber) for transparent, upfront pricing
- Book airport transfers through your hotel before arrival
- If using street taxis, choose established companies: Vinasun (white cars) or Mai Linh (green cars)
- Insist on meter use or agree on a fare before entering the vehicle
- Keep small denominations ready to avoid short-changing when paying
Grab removes almost all taxi-related issues. Download it before you fly and add a payment method while you have Australian connectivity.
Overcharging and Inflated Bills
Restaurants, cafés, and shops in tourist areas sometimes add items to bills or charge foreigners higher prices than locals.
Common patterns:
- Bills include drinks, side dishes, or wet towels you didn’t order
- Menu prices differ from the final bill
- Verbal quotes for services (massages, haircuts, laundry) increase at payment time
- Two-tiered pricing for locals versus foreigners (common in markets, less so in restaurants)
This isn’t universal, but it happens frequently enough that Australians should stay alert.
How to avoid it:
- Review bills carefully before paying, particularly in busy tourist restaurants
- Question unfamiliar charges politely but firmly
- Take photos of menu prices if ordering expensive items
- Confirm total prices verbally before agreeing to services
- In markets, negotiate prices before accepting goods
Walking away politely if prices seem unreasonable is acceptable. Most vendors would rather negotiate than lose a sale entirely.
Currency Confusion and Short-Changing
Vietnamese dong uses large denominations that confuse Australians initially. Notes range from 1,000 VND (worth about 6 cents AUD) to 500,000 VND (worth about $30 AUD).
Common mistakes Australians make:
- Confusing 20,000 VND notes with 200,000 VND notes (they’re similar colours)
- Handing over 500,000 VND when intending to give 50,000 VND
- Receiving change in smaller denominations than expected and not verifying the total
- Accepting torn or excessively worn notes that may be refused elsewhere
Vendors occasionally short-change distracted tourists or return change too quickly to count properly.
Simple ways to avoid errors:
- Organise notes by denomination in your wallet
- Count change before walking away from transactions
- Use small denominations for street food and markets
- Keep a calculator or currency converter app handy for the first few days
- Politely refuse damaged notes and ask for replacements
After a day or two, dong denominations become familiar. Until then, take your time and don’t feel rushed during transactions.
SIM Card and Connectivity Scams
Airport SIM card kiosks sometimes overcharge Australians or sell cards that stop working after minimal use.
Issues Australians encounter:
- Paying 400,000–600,000 VND for SIMs that cost 100,000–200,000 VND in city phone shops
- SIMs advertised as “30 days unlimited” that expire after one week
- Sellers requesting to hold your passport while they activate the SIM (unnecessary and risky)
- Cards that work briefly then require top-ups to continue
These aren’t sophisticated scams—airport vendors simply charge tourist prices and provide minimal service once you’ve walked away.
Safer alternatives: Buying a SIM from a branded phone shop in the city (Viettel, Mobifone, Vinaphone stores) costs less and includes proper activation. Staff speak enough English to help, and receipts provide proof of purchase.
eSIMs arranged before departure avoid airport interactions entirely and activate as soon as you land.
For detailed comparisons between SIM cards and eSIMs, including which providers work best for Australians, a separate connectivity guide covers this in depth.
Fake Visa Websites and Online Booking Fraud
Vietnam’s e-visa system is straightforward, but dozens of unofficial websites charge significantly more than the official government portal.
Look-alike visa sites: These sites rank highly in search results, use official-looking designs, and charge $50–$100 USD for e-visas that cost $25 USD through the Vietnamese government website. They provide legitimate visas but at inflated prices.
Some sites also sell email addresses to third parties, leading to spam.
How Australians can verify official sources: The official Vietnamese e-visa website is evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. It’s the only site ending in .gov.vn and charges exactly $25 USD.
Avoid sites claiming to be “official” but ending in .com, .org, or other extensions. If in doubt, check the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website, which links to verified sources for visa applications.
Tour and Activity Booking Issues
Booking tours through street vendors, unlicensed operators, or unverified websites occasionally results in non-existent tours, substandard experiences, or demands for additional payments.
Common issues:
- Halong Bay tours that use older boats, skip advertised activities, or serve poor-quality food
- Street vendors selling “discounted” tours that don’t match the itinerary described
- Operators refusing refunds when tours are cancelled
- Additional fees for activities advertised as included
Why hotels and established agencies reduce risk: Reputable tour operators have physical offices, published reviews, and accountability. Hotels recommend operators they’ve worked with repeatedly.
Booking through established agencies costs slightly more but eliminates uncertainty. You know what you’re paying for, have recourse if problems arise, and don’t waste time resolving disputes during your trip.
For major activities like Halong Bay cruises or Mekong Delta tours, research operators before arriving or ask your accommodation for verified recommendations.
What Scams in Vietnam Are Not
Vietnamese scams targeting tourists are frustrating but not dangerous.
Realistic expectations:
- Scams in Vietnam rarely involve intimidation, threats, or physical confrontation
- Most rely on confusion, unfamiliarity with prices, or rushed decisions
- Scammers want your money, not conflict—if you refuse or walk away, they move on
- Police scams exist but are uncommon; real police rarely demand immediate cash payments
Australians who stay calm, question unreasonable charges, and decline uncomfortable situations navigate scams without drama.
This is fundamentally different from destinations where scams escalate to aggression. Vietnam’s tourism industry relies on visitors feeling safe and welcome. Operators who cross lines into threatening behaviour face consequences from authorities.
How Australians Can Avoid Scams in Vietnam
Avoiding scams in Vietnam requires preparation and awareness, not constant vigilance or suspicion.
Practical, common-sense habits:
- Download Grab before you fly for transparent transport pricing
- Research approximate costs for taxis, meals, and activities before arriving
- Confirm prices verbally before agreeing to services
- Count your change and review bills before paying
- Use established businesses for important bookings (accommodation, tours, transport)
- Keep small denominations of dong for street purchases
- Don’t rush decisions when tired or pressured
- Walk away politely if something feels wrong
Preparation over paranoia: Knowing that taxi meters should run slowly, that SIMs cost 100,000–200,000 VND, and that e-visas cost $25 USD gives you reference points. You don’t need to memorise every possible scam—just understand enough to recognise when something seems off.
Knowing when to walk away: If a vendor pressures you, a price seems unreasonable, or a situation feels uncomfortable, you can simply leave. Vietnamese culture values politeness, but you’re not obligated to complete transactions that don’t feel right.
Most scams collapse when tourists refuse to proceed. Vendors prefer finding a more cooperative target over prolonging confrontation.
Vietnam scams Australians should know about are manageable, avoidable, and shouldn’t overshadow an otherwise excellent destination. Millions of Australians visit Vietnam annually and return with positive experiences. Those who encounter scams typically identify them as minor frustrations rather than trip-defining problems.
Prepare by understanding rough costs, using established services for important bookings, and staying alert during transactions. For broader arrival preparation—including visas, connectivity options, and practical pre-departure checks—refer to the comprehensive arrival checklist. With basic awareness sorted, you’re ready to focus on enjoying Vietnam rather than worrying about what might go wrong.
Is Grab Safe in Vietnam?
Yes, Grab is safe and the most reliable transport option for Australians in Vietnam. It’s Southeast Asia’s equivalent to Uber, shows the fare upfront, tracks your journey, and eliminates meter scams or route disputes. Drivers are registered and rated by users. Australian credit cards work in the app, avoiding cash confusion. Download it before you fly and add a payment method while you have Australian connectivity.
Are Airport SIMs a Scam in Vietnam?
Airport SIM kiosks aren’t outright scams, but they significantly overcharge. You’ll pay 400,000–600,000 VND for SIMs that cost 100,000–200,000 VND in city phone shops. Some vendors also sell cards that expire faster than advertised or request to hold your passport during activation (unnecessary and risky). Buy from branded stores in the city (Viettel, Mobifone, Vinaphone) for better prices and service, or arrange an eSIM before departure to avoid airport vendors entirely.
What’s the Official Vietnam eVisa Website?
The official Vietnamese e-visa website is evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. It’s the only legitimate site ending in .gov.vn and charges exactly $25 USD. Dozens of unofficial websites charge $50–$100 USD for the same visa. Avoid any site ending in .com, .org, or other extensions, even if they claim to be “official.” When in doubt, check the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website, which links to verified visa sources.
Are Scams Common in Hanoi / Ho Chi Minh City?
Scams exist in both cities but are predictable and avoidable. Common issues include taxi meter manipulation, restaurant bill padding, and currency short-changing in tourist areas like Hanoi’s Old Quarter or Ho Chi Minh City’s Bui Vien Street. These are non-violent, rely on confusion, and happen less when you use Grab for transport, confirm prices before ordering, and count your change. Most Australians visit both cities without encountering scams. Basic awareness—not constant vigilance—is sufficient.
Last verified: January 2026