What you need to be careful of when traveling to Vietnam!
I love Vietnam, especially the food and the locals there.
But I did have a lot of trouble there, too. So, today I will share my experiences and some things that help me to avoid potential problems when you're there!
Lots of scams everywhere...
The scam I heard the most was the grab drivers stealing your smartphone.
- One will drive you slightly off from the destination.
- The driver will ask you to check your smartphone of the exact address.
- The driver's partner will drive past and snatch your phone.
- The driver will say that he has nothing to do with the other driver that stole the phone, and nothing can be done.
I found this video and wow, there is so much...
The scams introduced in the video included:
- Cyclo scams
- Fake Beggars Scam
- Taxi Scams
- Getting ripped off
- Fruit Pole Scam
- Pickpockets
- Card Game Scam
- Free Food Scam
- Extra Drinks Scam
- Motorbike Phone Snatchers Scam
Even locals told me to be careful especially when big events in Vietnam are close, like New Years. They need money to buy souvenirs for visiting family back in their hometown, so they will steal to fund it.
The Street Food scammer
I also had my phone stolen and was dumb that I had it left outside of my bag. But this one is my fault. Then, I had an incident with a scammer in the streets. I was eating a Vietnamese pizza and the owner of the food stall offered to lend me his phone.
He and his surroundings will provide me with food, drinks, etc. cheap or free.
He found out that I wasn't using a phone, and offered can lend me his, with a deposit.
The deposit was 60 USD, which is not bad actually. It's like buying a backup phone, so if I'm scammed then I will just take the phone.
He added a SIM card which I can easily get an eSIM but I thought might be worth trying as he only asked for 5 USD as I'm his "friend."
It took more than 2 hours for his wife to buy the SIM and come set it up... which made me regret I got the SIM from him. Then he would ask me to tip him which I refused.
The scammer did charge the SIM with MoMo to boost the speed, but the internet speed was useless, too. I can receive SMS for verifications which helped, but even Google Maps didn't work properly.
I used the phone for about a week and decided to give the phone back to him. I messaged him about how the phone is not helping and that I want my deposit returned for the phone. The guy didn't reply. So I went to where he usually is and he told me he can't pay back the money.
It was funny what he asked me after I told him he can keep the money. "Can I have my phone back?"
Of course not. Why would I donate the deposit+give back the cell phone? He doesn't get what a deposit means.
He told me these things that might make you sympathize.
- He is in huge debt from Covid
- He has bike-guided tourists for a long time, so he can give you access to whatever you're looking for in Ho Chi Minh.
- He has "customers" around and has a friendly gathering vibe.
- He speaks multiple languages quite well.
- He treats you as a friend, so you can trust him.
- He will always be in front of Vincom Center, so he won't run away.
My worst experience was actually VietJet Airlines.
Next, I want to talk about my experience on flights in and out of Vietnam.
I now filter VietJet and Vietnam Airlines to not show up on my search results for air tickets.
First, here is what happened using VietJet.
My Booking disappeared...
- When I booked the ticket, it kept having errors except the payment was successful without an error.
- The reservation number was issued with a receipt. The payment record was made on my Wise card.
- The confirmation email didn't come but on the login page, I saw the reservation.
- But a few nights before my flight I realized that the booking doesn't even exist on my login page anymore.
- I tried to chat from the login page for help, but couldn't proceed when I choose English. Another error.
Customer Service is worse than not having it
- At the airport, I showed VietJet the receipt and reservation number, but they couldn't find my booking.
- They let other customers be helped when their job is to figure it out one by one, which delays the solution.
- I don't know how many times I was told a robotic "Please wait." and had it postponed til my flight will not be able to board anymore.
- There was not a single "I'm sorry about the experience.." that shows some kind of gesture that they care about their business.
- Instead, they blamed me for not contacting them in advance.
- Well, how do I do that when you're customer service is in error?
- Then he will become quiet for a while, then "please wait" and repeats another loop of the same thing.
*My first flight with VietJet was endless delay, which I can bare, but not the above.
*The only thing I thank VietJet is the alternate trip I booked with Singapore Airlines felt like heaven.
Even Vietnam Airlines...
I was talking about what happened with VietJet with a local. He told me how bad the reputation of VietJet is, and that I should take Vietnam Airlines.
Well, I actually learned my lesson and booked Vietnam Airlines for another trip. Then they rescheduled it without telling us anything.
They don't seem to care about confirmation nor our plans... So I remember loving their bread and coffee which were very good for what you get as an in-flight meal, but I learned that I really would rather take another airline. We have so many options these days.
How I try to avoid experiencing travel problems in Vietnam
My Flights: Don't book random airlines.
So I learned my lesson with the airlines. I realized that I really shouldn't be trying out the cheapest way to get to my destination and whether it's worth it.
I used to fly Peach Aviation a lot, the LCC of ANA, and I think the flights are better than some full-service airlines. I've had no issues with Air Asia, with great efficiency and punctuality so far. Scoot became quite pricey for an LCC but still very reliable!
My Flights: Book through Trip.com
I learned that booking through Trip.com makes travel much safe and easier. If I book through very reliable airlines like SQ or Japan Airlines, booking directly makes much more sense.
But If I don't know if my airline or hotel is reliable, then OTA (Online Travel Agency) like Trip.com or Booking.com will be like an insurance for me.
The same goes for hotels, too. If reliable, direct. If unsure, Airbnb or Trip.com.
From my experience so far, there are 3 reasons I prefer using Trip.com now.
- Trip.com has a free hotline available and they actually helped with my booking. Many other OTAs delay until you give up or forget or even create additional problems.
- The punctuality rate of the air tickets I'm about to book through Trip.com was very good information to have.
- I compared the same hotel with different OTAs but noticed Trip.com is the best accurate.
Avoiding Scams
First of all, I'm kind of lucky that in every country I go to in Southeast Asia, the locals think I'm local. I don't look Japanese. So this seems to help a bit. But these were the strategies that worked for me.
- Dress simple
- Keep costs low
Dress simple
One of the first things the food stall guy told me after finding out I'm Japanese is, "You don't look Japanese, you look poor." which is exactly what I aim for.
As soon as I wear a collared shirt (especially a polo shirt) or even carry a backpack, the bike taxis are after me. When I dress in a simple shirt and short pants, it seems not to hit their antenna.
I recommend not buying cheap shirts from markets either. Buying the "I love Vietnam" T-shirt buys you the risk of attracting all kinds of problems by proving that you're a tourist.
Have your Apple Watches and jewelry is hidden or at home. I don't bring my latest iPhone but buy an outdated second-hand one. I'll at least carry it as a backup but use the outdated phone for my main.
Having things with you already means it's an opportunity to steal
I carry a 20kg suitcase with me on this trip which I don't usually do.
So I was followed everywhere when I was carrying the luggage.
The suitcase makes the bike taxi guys think I can pump money for them, as they will probably ask to be my driver for the whole trip.
My last resort when I can't bare their annoying honking and endless sales talk that they are genuine guides, I point a middle finger at them with a disgusted look.
This seems to work very well to persuade them to give up on me and look for an alternative victim.
Your bags might be cut open to steal
When I was waiting at the baggage claim at Tân Sơn Nhất Airport, I saw a few pieces of luggage wide open. I later read that airport staff was fired for opening and stealing a digital device from checked-in luggage.
A local told me to try avoiding taking local buses. Apparently, the locals will actually cut open the suitcase to steal. I rode the local bus 4-5 times, and that never happened. I choose to be on the edge of the bus so I can keep an eye on my belongings.
And the fact that I'm dressed poorly probably makes it not worth taking the risk to do it. The locals actually helped me a lot when I didn't know how to pay for the bus ticket or didn't know which bus stop to get off at.
Keep costs low
This might be difficult, but I usually go to local street food, and never eat Japanese or Western food. When you go to eat non-local food, it's pricey and it proves that you have money.
The bike taxis are gathered near these places, so you have much more chance of being targeted.
Same as a touristy market like Bến Thành or the backpack area of Bùi Viện.
I felt much safer blending into the locals in D2, 3, and 1.
They know the real price of things, where to go for authenticity, and introduce people whom you can trust.
Although I try to be careful not to trust people automatically as they are introduced by people I know, it saved me a lot of time and effort, and I have the mental ease to enjoy with them.
If you are there to spend, of course, some of the locals will be after your money. But if you keep costs low, then you will attract people that will actually share your information to save money.
I still love Vietnam and will be back :)
Don't get me wrong, I've shared a lot of negative experiences I had in Vietnam, but I still love being there.
One of the purposes of the article was for me to keep note of the tips locals gave me on how to be careful, and to remember my mistakes so I can remind myself how to avoid negative experiences the next time I'm there!
The food is absolutely amazing, and a lot of locals are very friendly and caring.
But this was to take note of what I should be careful of in my future trips. and to share with potential travelers to Vietnam to get an idea of what might be waiting and how to try to avoid it!
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