There's a few scams around the airport and the tourist areas at the moment in Saigon. These aren't a big issue, but it can turn a good day into a bad one especially if you're not prepared. Let me have your thoughts below....
Yes. Smiling I had that when I arrived a few yrs ago And just walked to an expat guy who lived in Hcm and he showed me the real rank Thanks for your info
Be careful also of the currency exchange right in the airport. The Vietnam Dong currency is also confusing and they can take advantage of tourist by undervaluing your currency by 30% to 40%.
Scams and overcharge are everywhere around the world including in America example at check out in walmart some customers had a problem of overcharge too
It seems like every economic downturn creates more scams. Very understandable human need to eat and survive. Very sad that those in control don't pay attention to things like these.
On one of my walks by the river in district 1, I stumbled across a pickpocket’s market. Used wallets, bags, backpacks, briefcases, watches, cellphones, cosmetics, jewelry, basically anything that could be snatched.
On this "make up for lost time" stuff, it's affecting every part of the tourism industry. The hotel I booked two months ago in Hanoi is now nearly 70% more expensive for the same room. At these prices, my days of being able to travel internationally may be over after this week's trip!
The shoe scam reminds me of New Orleans. Around any tourist areas, guys come up to you and either say "I like them shoes" or "I bet I can tell you where you got them shoes". Say "they're on my feet" and keep walking.
I just arrived on a visa exempt one. I've been alright except I moved near the airport to stay and decided just to hop in a taxi from the airport to my old hotel further south. This one kept tapping my knee to give him money for the toll booth to exit the airport, I had notes that I was giving him like 20,000 but he didn't want it and that's when he tapped me and I got out of the taxi. I got in another one and once arriving at the hotel, I give him 200,000 for 59,000 fare. He gives me 10,000 back. I question it and say i'm filming. HE's like saying something about my money but at that point you don't give me a 10,000 you give me the proper change. I went to 7 11 and changed the money he gave back and he still only wanted to give me 10,000 back even though he owed me 40,000, he gave 20,000 back in the end
It's a shame but many will try it on for sure. I'm off to Nha Trang this week so will probably have similar issues there as it's a long cab ride from the airport to the city.
@@expatnam Hanoi was great though in general especially the old area near train street, I enjoyed that place quite a lot. I'm staying right opposite the airport terminal in Saigon thinking it would be an easy stroll with the suitcase across. OMG I went last night to change money and it seems you have to walk around a fence and then cut across all the roads. Maybe there is a crossing somewhere lol.
The layout at TSN is really poor, not many signs and not geared toward pedestrians at all unfortunately. I normally walk out of the airport to get a grab outside but it means either climbing over a fence or walking on the side of some super busy roads..
Too bad this is going on. It used to be a big problem in Turkey: they solved it by giving limited permission for taxis to enter the airport and those have special designation. If they get a complaint, that driver cannot go in again. The shoeshine one is very familiar too. Once one of them just reached out and slapped some polish onto my suede shoe and wanted to continue. He said "I'll finish." I told him to clean it off. "No, let me finish." I told him to clean it off or I'd kick his effing box into the water. 😬 Also never go to a bar if someone comes up acting friendly and wants to take you to one.
This video comes in handy for my upcoming trip in December I would like to ask if you advise to change money at airport exchange or use the ATM? Are exchange currency booths common in Saigon? And lastly SIM cards on the airport seem a bit pricey at 400k for unlimited , on the website it's listed for 300k , is that a scam also or airport prices? Thank you
Hi, some of your questions are answered here: th-cam.com/video/LxcPXt3NAoQ/w-d-xo.html Exchange booths aren't common here, it's either your hotel or a gold shop. You should be fine taking out 2 million each time at the ATM. If you can find VP bank they don't charge anything and have higher limits for international cards. Seems a bit steep for a sim card, you could get one in the city after you arrive or at your hotel.
You made a good point; after a long trip in an airline you just want to get to your hotel room. I got overcharged but I paid it getting off the plane in Saigon to just get some rest.
Hey! Where can we find a prepaid taxi from the international terminal! Would there be a Min Linh/Vinasun prepaid taxi option? Thank you for this informative video!
hey mate love the video and breakdown of the scams! I'm heading to vietnam in a few weeks, upon arrival do they ask you for a return ticket or exit ticket to your next country?
I've never personally been asked for this, however it might be worth checking with the airline as well as sometimes they can be a bit difficult and have their own interpretation of things.
I travel back 2 vietnam all the time: Grap app is like the Uber & Lyft in vietnam. Don’t give any $ 2 the people in the custom b/c they ask every1 $ for like holiday or coffee. U still have 2 wait 2 pick up your luggage & they will make u wait like 30-45 minutes saying that there computer system is down. Image how many people they ask per day, think about that
Honest advice: If you cannot get a grab bike in order to get to D1 (should cost around 8-10 USD), just take a regular taxi with an official license. You will probably pay a little too much (maybe around 20 USD), but this is still better than picking a fake taxi, getting scammed and ending up paying 50 or 100 USD. If you think 20 USD is too much for going from Tan Son Nhat to D1, just split up the bill in your head: In a regular taxi, you pay 10 USD for the ride and the other 10 USD are like a "safety fee", which you pay in oder to avoid getting robbed.
Hello, quick question, so today I arrived at the airport in hanoi, decided to order a grap taxi and the guy drove little bit out from the airport area and started asking if we have money, of course we do, then he said he cannot accept the money and decided told us to go to the atm nearby. Then I thought oh we need cash anyway, then decided to withdraw some cash, after we are eventually being transferred to someone who drop us off. I checked my bank account statement and it says i got charged for 5 million. Although i press 2 million and got 2 millions.Are they scamers working with the banks or fake atm? I lost 3 millions today. Thanks!
Oh that's not good. I've not heard of that in regards to atms. Are you sure the taxi driver didn't take more dong than you thought? I'd contact the bank to check the transaction perhaps.
I live in th US and every day I get email scam and teller marker scam and its very annoying. But in the past I get towing scam, taxi scam, car repair scam, and even hotel scam when the hotel host get your debit card number while checking in. And make a separate personal charge using your debit card number online. This happen in the great USA. My lost was with US dollars is way more than the Vietnamese Dong that you lost.
been to Saigon many times and ONLY ever use VINASUN from the stand outside and about 50m down on the left handside past the Burger King kiosk (if that is still there?!!!! ) any recommendations on reliable visa agents in town and is it still just 1month e-visa?
No changes to the visa situation yet-still just the one month. Two agents I know of are "izyviet" and "janesnvi" who seem to get used and recommended a lot.
I applied online for an e visa for the date of arrival of Sept 29th. It was approved but it says I can enter the gate between Sept 10th to Oct 10th. Will I be granted 30 days arriving on sept 29th? Btw I subbed 👍
That's seems strange, as normally the stated day of arrival on the visa is the first day. I would msg them and check, does it say 29th on the visa itself?
There is all kind of scams in VN. I thought I learned from one scam only to be scammed from another type. Scam artist have many tricks that is hard to recognize all the time. Interestingly, I got scammed by several things you mention: Grab service at airport, drinks at Bui Vien. It still bother me to think about it. When dealing scammer who acted very rude, aggressive.
Yep, got into a fake taxi at the airport late one night. Charged me 200,000 for a 120,000 ride to my hotel. No worries, got him to write a receipt for my expense account.😀
Coming back from Vietnam. The guy who checked our passport said my mom has not been back 5 years. So he wants coffee money. My mom forgot she had $5. Ended giving him $20. We only had $100 left after giving some money to family and their children. We had just enough to get a taxi home. Unbelievable!!
Yes the border staff are sometimes not great, Vietnam should really do something about it as it's the first thing people encounter when they arrive in the country.
@@expatnam coming into Vietnam was ok. We just happen to come across one jerk heading back. Who was taking advantage. Just made the trip to finally see my family since 1975. With a bad taste. That it’s still corrupt. I would of complained but my mom was afraid they would ask for money that we don’t have.
The coconut scamming around the Reunification Palace is unfortunately a chronic issue in Saigon . The police may arrest one guy one day , the next day another one appears . It's like the Corona virus and its variants ha ha
to be fair..its hard to get scammed these day,every information were available online or at least you would asking someone for information..when you think you get scammed..that is because you think everything is cheap..while people do actually need to make some profit not just for the sake of earn money
Thank you for the inputs. This only brings disgrace to the country and tourism. I booked in Dec 2019 with Unique Tours Vietnam for a 12 day trip. For Feb 2020 Within a month the covid hit It’s been two years and the tour company does not even respond to our refund $700 That’s Vietnam in a nutshell
My first trip to Saigon and vietnam. I took the taxi from the airport. Where you make the queue. I knew the price was around 200000 dong. I was watching the meter and just before arrive to my hotel i had a look outside. When i look again the meter the price was 500000 dongs. The taxi scammer shouting at me when i asked him why it was so expensive. I was so tired by my trip that i paid him but it didn’t hapened a second time as i used grab after that. Theses taxi scamers doing this since many years but the vietnamese government do nothing. What a shame! I live 20 years in thailand and it’s never hapened to me there. There is many scammers in vietnam so be aware. Thailand is so much better in every points. Vietnam👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻
Similar scams n overcharging situation in Bangkok/Thailand! Is housebreaking common in Vietnam, esp during this pandemic recession?? Do burglars break easily into rented apartments, serviced apartments n hotels??
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There's a few scams around the airport and the tourist areas at the moment in Saigon. These aren't a big issue, but it can turn a good day into a bad one especially if you're not prepared. Let me have your thoughts below....
Such invaluable advice, esp. the illegitimate taxi scams @ airport. Thank you very much Nam!
Thanks for watching!
When using Grab, look at the number plate to know it’s the one you booked.
Yes. Smiling I had that when I arrived a few yrs ago
And just walked to an expat guy who lived in Hcm and he showed me the real rank
Thanks for your info
Just subscribed to you because of how informative your channel is!
Thanks and welcome.
Be careful also of the currency exchange right in the airport. The Vietnam Dong currency is also confusing and they can take advantage of tourist by undervaluing your currency by 30% to 40%.
Ye-best to wait and hit a gold shop around the Benh Thanh market area who will give you the best rates
Scams and overcharge are everywhere around the world including in America example at check out in walmart some customers had a problem of overcharge too
Very true.
It seems like every economic downturn creates more scams. Very understandable human need to eat and survive. Very sad that those in control don't pay attention to things like these.
I agree. The issue runs much deeper.
On one of my walks by the river in district 1, I stumbled across a pickpocket’s market. Used wallets, bags, backpacks, briefcases, watches, cellphones, cosmetics, jewelry, basically anything that could be snatched.
@@edrunge4582 yes, Hanoi is safer
On this "make up for lost time" stuff, it's affecting every part of the tourism industry. The hotel I booked two months ago in Hanoi is now nearly 70% more expensive for the same room. At these prices, my days of being able to travel internationally may be over after this week's trip!
The shoe scam reminds me of New Orleans. Around any tourist areas, guys come up to you and either say "I like them shoes" or "I bet I can tell you where you got them shoes". Say "they're on my feet" and keep walking.
International school of scams!
I just arrived on a visa exempt one. I've been alright except I moved near the airport to stay and decided just to hop in a taxi from the airport to my old hotel further south. This one kept tapping my knee to give him money for the toll booth to exit the airport, I had notes that I was giving him like 20,000 but he didn't want it and that's when he tapped me and I got out of the taxi. I got in another one and once arriving at the hotel, I give him 200,000 for 59,000 fare. He gives me 10,000 back. I question it and say i'm filming. HE's like saying something about my money but at that point you don't give me a 10,000 you give me the proper change. I went to 7 11 and changed the money he gave back and he still only wanted to give me 10,000 back even though he owed me 40,000, he gave 20,000 back in the end
It's a shame but many will try it on for sure. I'm off to Nha Trang this week so will probably have similar issues there as it's a long cab ride from the airport to the city.
@@expatnam Hanoi was great though in general especially the old area near train street, I enjoyed that place quite a lot. I'm staying right opposite the airport terminal in Saigon thinking it would be an easy stroll with the suitcase across. OMG I went last night to change money and it seems you have to walk around a fence and then cut across all the roads. Maybe there is a crossing somewhere lol.
The layout at TSN is really poor, not many signs and not geared toward pedestrians at all unfortunately. I normally walk out of the airport to get a grab outside but it means either climbing over a fence or walking on the side of some super busy roads..
@@expatnam yes 😂 i dont know who planned it. The building looks good from high up but awful on the ground
Thank you for this video. I'm heading there in a couple of days and it's good to know what to be aware of.
Glad it was helpful!
Too bad this is going on. It used to be a big problem in Turkey: they solved it by giving limited permission for taxis to enter the airport and those have special designation. If they get a complaint, that driver cannot go in again.
The shoeshine one is very familiar too. Once one of them just reached out and slapped some polish onto my suede shoe and wanted to continue. He said "I'll finish." I told him to clean it off. "No, let me finish." I told him to clean it off or I'd kick his effing box into the water. 😬
Also never go to a bar if someone comes up acting friendly and wants to take you to one.
I will travel solo and will arrive late in Saigon, thank you very much for making this video, I’m now aware of those scams.
Best of luck Carla!
I did and best to ask the hotel for a shuttle or download Grab. You'll get a real Grab, not the scammers dressed up like one.
Going for the first time in a few weeks! Cannot wait, luckily I'm staying with people I know in Hanoi, but this video was very helpful, thank you!
Have fun!
This video comes in handy for my upcoming trip in December
I would like to ask if you advise to change money at airport exchange or use the ATM?
Are exchange currency booths common in Saigon?
And lastly SIM cards on the airport seem a bit pricey at 400k for unlimited , on the website it's listed for 300k , is that a scam also or airport prices?
Thank you
Hi, some of your questions are answered here: th-cam.com/video/LxcPXt3NAoQ/w-d-xo.html
Exchange booths aren't common here, it's either your hotel or a gold shop. You should be fine taking out 2 million each time at the ATM. If you can find VP bank they don't charge anything and have higher limits for international cards. Seems a bit steep for a sim card, you could get one in the city after you arrive or at your hotel.
You made a good point; after a long trip in an airline you just want to get to your hotel room. I got overcharged but I paid it getting off the plane in Saigon to just get some rest.
Yes, unfortunately they tend to prey on the weary traveler...
Hey! Where can we find a prepaid taxi from the international terminal! Would there be a Min Linh/Vinasun prepaid taxi option? Thank you for this informative video!
Many outside in a big line waiting. Try to get into an official one only, don't go with anyone trying to solicit you into their cars.
Thanks for this informative video! I fly to Saigon tomorrow!
Have a great trip!
hey mate love the video and breakdown of the scams! I'm heading to vietnam in a few weeks, upon arrival do they ask you for a return ticket or exit ticket to your next country?
I've never personally been asked for this, however it might be worth checking with the airline as well as sometimes they can be a bit difficult and have their own interpretation of things.
@@expatnam will do! thanks for the quick response :D
It's very important to know about, all scams happening anywhere, before you go.
Yes, always do your research.
Very helpful video!
Thanks
Thanks for sharing this update 👍
No problem 👍
I travel back 2 vietnam all the time: Grap app is like the Uber & Lyft in vietnam. Don’t give any $ 2 the people in the custom b/c they ask every1 $ for like holiday or coffee. U still have 2 wait 2 pick up your luggage & they will make u wait like 30-45 minutes saying that there computer system is down. Image how many people they ask per day, think about that
His friends
Must be very unlucky 😅😅😅
Honest advice: If you cannot get a grab bike in order to get to D1 (should cost around 8-10 USD), just take a regular taxi with an official license. You will probably pay a little too much (maybe around 20 USD), but this is still better than picking a fake taxi, getting scammed and ending up paying 50 or 100 USD.
If you think 20 USD is too much for going from Tan Son Nhat to D1, just split up the bill in your head: In a regular taxi, you pay 10 USD for the ride and the other 10 USD are like a "safety fee", which you pay in oder to avoid getting robbed.
Today 20 USD is actually a normal price from TSN airport to D1 because the petrol price has increased about 25% over a month ago
Hello, quick question, so today I arrived at the airport in hanoi, decided to order a grap taxi and the guy drove little bit out from the airport area and started asking if we have money, of course we do, then he said he cannot accept the money and decided told us to go to the atm nearby. Then I thought oh we need cash anyway, then decided to withdraw some cash, after we are eventually being transferred to someone who drop us off. I checked my bank account statement and it says i got charged for 5 million. Although i press 2 million and got 2 millions.Are they scamers working with the banks or fake atm? I lost 3 millions today. Thanks!
Oh that's not good. I've not heard of that in regards to atms. Are you sure the taxi driver didn't take more dong than you thought? I'd contact the bank to check the transaction perhaps.
watch out for pick pocket, happen to me in 2018, keep your wallet in a zipper pocket if possible
Good advice
is da nang airport any better as a starting point? i will hopefully go there soon! :) then run far far away, lol.
It's better for sure as it's much quieter. You'll still get mobbed by the fake grab drivers when you leave though but not as bad as TSN.
I live in th US and every day I get email scam and teller marker scam and its very annoying. But in the past I get towing scam, taxi scam, car repair scam, and even hotel scam when the hotel host get your debit card number while checking in. And make a separate personal charge using your debit card number online. This happen in the great USA. My lost was with US dollars is way more than the Vietnamese Dong that you lost.
been to Saigon many times and ONLY ever use VINASUN from the stand outside and about 50m down on the left handside past the Burger King kiosk (if that is still there?!!!! ) any recommendations on reliable visa agents in town and is it still just 1month e-visa?
No changes to the visa situation yet-still just the one month. Two agents I know of are "izyviet" and "janesnvi" who seem to get used and recommended a lot.
@@expatnam found em, cheers! will look into them!
I applied online for an e visa for the date of arrival of Sept 29th. It was approved but it says I can enter the gate between Sept 10th to Oct 10th. Will I be granted 30 days arriving on sept 29th? Btw I subbed 👍
That's seems strange, as normally the stated day of arrival on the visa is the first day. I would msg them and check, does it say 29th on the visa itself?
@@expatnam I checked thx that's my leeway to arrive then I ask for 30 days but thx for the reply 👌
7:21…does anyone know how much these 2 homes in the background go for in 2023?
There is all kind of scams in VN. I thought I learned from one scam only to be scammed from another type.
Scam artist have many tricks that is hard to recognize all the time.
Interestingly, I got scammed by several things you mention: Grab service at airport, drinks at Bui Vien.
It still bother me to think about it. When dealing scammer who acted very rude, aggressive.
Yes it's annoying for sure. They prey on tourists of course as they know that they're not aware of the scams etc.
Yep, got into a fake taxi at the airport late one night. Charged me 200,000 for a 120,000 ride to my hotel. No worries, got him to write a receipt for my expense account.😀
Ha!
Coming back from Vietnam. The guy who checked our passport said my mom has not been back 5 years. So he wants coffee money. My mom forgot she had $5. Ended giving him $20. We only had $100 left after giving some money to family and their children. We had just enough to get a taxi home. Unbelievable!!
Yes the border staff are sometimes not great, Vietnam should really do something about it as it's the first thing people encounter when they arrive in the country.
@@expatnam coming into Vietnam was ok. We just happen to come across one jerk heading back. Who was taking advantage. Just made the trip to finally see my family since 1975. With a bad taste. That it’s still corrupt. I would of complained but my mom was afraid they would ask for money that we don’t have.
@@main2333 Since 1990 I went back many times to Vietnam and I never paid a penny to any immigration or custom officer
I was in Vietnam years back. Did ok apart from paying far too much for a coconut (near the old presidential palace).
That's the exact spot where they got my friend last week....
@@expatnam It has been going a while we were there in 2014
The coconut scamming around the Reunification Palace is unfortunately a chronic issue in Saigon . The police may arrest one guy one day , the next day another one appears . It's like the Corona virus and its variants ha ha
I got the taxi scammed at airport even though I had the information. Be vigilant
to be fair..its hard to get scammed these day,every information were available online or at least you would asking someone for information..when you think you get scammed..that is because you think everything is cheap..while people do actually need to make some profit not just for the sake of earn money
Thank you for the inputs. This only brings disgrace to the country and tourism.
I booked in Dec 2019 with Unique Tours Vietnam for a 12 day trip.
For Feb 2020
Within a month the covid hit
It’s been two years and the tour company does not even respond to our refund $700
That’s Vietnam in a nutshell
Sorry to hear that. Unfortunately there are some bad apples out there that tarnish the country.
Just walk outside the airport 5 minutes.
That's what i tend to do now
👍👍👍
Scam every where in the world..
True
Visit Pakistan you never complain any kind of scam here.
My first trip to Saigon and vietnam. I took the taxi from the airport. Where you make the queue. I knew the price was around 200000 dong. I was watching the meter and just before arrive to my hotel i had a look outside. When i look again the meter the price was 500000 dongs. The taxi scammer shouting at me when i asked him why it was so expensive. I was so tired by my trip that i paid him but it didn’t hapened a second time as i used grab after that. Theses taxi scamers doing this since many years but the vietnamese government do nothing. What a shame! I live 20 years in thailand and it’s never hapened to me there. There is many scammers in vietnam so be aware. Thailand is so much better in every points. Vietnam👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻
Shame of them
So if you pretend to be 'informative' can you at least say what airport you are talking about? Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang?
It's in the video title...
Similar scams n overcharging situation in Bangkok/Thailand!
Is housebreaking common in Vietnam, esp during this pandemic recession?? Do burglars break easily into rented apartments, serviced apartments n hotels??
I've never really heard about it, but there does seem to be a bit of paranoia about theft here.
Thank you so much for the awareness.🥹🙏🏼
Thanks 🙏