A Practical Guide for Savvy Senior Travelers
Here’s a Startling Truth: In 2024 alone, Vietnam received more than 18,000 fraud reports every single month targeting travelers. Even more concerning? Eighty percent of foreign visitors to Vietnam never return for a second visit—compared to 89% in Singapore and 82% in Thailand. While scams and money traps aren’t the only reason, Vietnamese tourism officials confirm they’re a major factor in this disappointing statistic.
But don’t let these numbers scare you away from experiencing Vietnam’s incredible beauty, rich culture, and welcoming people! The truth is, most Vietnamese locals are honest, hardworking folks who genuinely want you to love their country. With a little knowledge and awareness, you can easily outsmart the small percentage of scammers and enjoy everything this amazing destination has to offer.
Let me walk you through the most common money traps in four of Vietnam’s most beloved cities—Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Da Nang, Hanoi, and Da Lat—and show you exactly how to avoid them.
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City): The Fast-Paced Southern Hub
Saigon pulses with energy, delicious street food, and fascinating history. But as Vietnam’s largest city, it also attracts its share of opportunistic scammers.
The Cyclo Price Switch
Picture this: Sarah, a 67-year-old from Florida, wanted to experience a traditional cyclo (three-wheeled rickshaw) ride through District 1. The driver quoted her “10” for a 20-minute tour. She thought it meant 10,000 Vietnamese dong (about 40 cents). But when the ride ended, he demanded 10 US dollars—and then claimed he’d said it was per person, not for the whole ride.
How to avoid it: Always clarify the total price, the currency (VND or USD), and confirm it’s for your whole group before starting. Better yet, book cyclo tours through your hotel or reputable companies like Get Your Guide, where prices are fixed and transparent.
The Coconut Photo Trap
Women carrying traditional bamboo poles with fruit baskets make for picture-perfect Instagram moments. But here’s the catch: they’ll offer to let you hold their pole for photos, then demand payment of 200,000-500,000 VND ($8-20) per photo. Sometimes they’ll even start cutting open coconuts while you’re posing, then insist you must buy them.
How to avoid it: Politely decline and keep walking. If you really want that photo, agree on a specific price before touching anything. Many travelers recommend offering up to 50,000 VND.
Restaurant Table Charge Surprise
John from Texas learned this lesson the hard way. He sat down at a restaurant, and the server immediately placed peanuts, wet towels, and small snacks on his table. He didn’t touch them. But his bill included charges for every single item—even though he never asked for them.
How to avoid it: Immediately send back any items you didn’t order. Ask to see a menu with prices before ordering. If there’s no menu or prices aren’t listed, that’s your signal to find another restaurant.
Da Nang: The Central Coast’s Rising Star
Da Nang has exploded as a tourist destination, thanks to its stunning beaches and the famous Golden Bridge. With growth comes growing pains—including some creative scams.
The Airport Taxi Trap
Linda, a retired teacher from California, shared her story: “I landed at Da Nang airport exhausted after my long flight. A friendly man in what looked like official gear grabbed my bags and led me to a taxi. The 10-minute ride to my hotel cost me 800,000 VND ($32)—later I learned it should have been about 100,000 VND.”
How to avoid it: Never accept help from unofficial taxi hawkers inside the airport. Use the official taxi stand outside, book through your hotel’s pickup service, or use the Grab app (Vietnam’s version of Uber that you can easily download from the app store on your phone). The ride from Da Nang airport to the city center should cost 100,000-150,000 VND.
The Fake Hotel Booking Scam
In 2025, Da Nang police issued warnings about a surge in fake hotel Facebook pages. Scammers create professional-looking pages for luxury resorts, advertise rooms at incredibly low prices ($12-20 per night for “5-star” accommodations), then disappear after collecting your deposit.
How to avoid it: Only book through official hotel websites, trusted platforms like Booking.com or Agoda, or contact hotels directly using verified phone numbers from Google Maps. If a deal seems too good to be true, it absolutely is.
Beach Bag Snatching
Da Nang’s beautiful beaches attract thieves on motorbikes who target tourists. They wait for beachgoers to leave bags unattended while swimming, then swoop in for quick grabs.
How to avoid it: Never leave valuables unattended on the beach. Invest in a waterproof bag you can take into the water, or take turns swimming while your travel companion watches your belongings. Better yet, leave expensive items in your hotel safe.
Hanoi: The Historic Northern Capital
Hanoi charms visitors with its Old Quarter, stunning lakes, and incredible street food. But this ancient city has some old tricks up its sleeve.
The “Free” Donut Scam
Margaret from England fell for this one: “A sweet-looking woman carrying dozens of donuts on a pole approached me. She offered me one to try for free. It was so good! Then she insisted I buy a whole bag—and charged me 200,000 VND ($8) for about 10 stale donuts that probably cost 20,000 VND total.”
How to avoid it: Never accept “free” samples from street vendors in the Old Quarter. If you want fresh, hot donuts, locals recommend going to 1 Luong Ngoc Quyen Street, where you can see Vietnamese people lining up on their motorbikes—that’s always the sign of good, affordable food.
The Shoe Shiner Ambush
These persistent individuals will literally take your shoe off your foot before you can say no. Robert, 72, from Australia, said, “I was just standing still looking at my map when suddenly a man had my shoe in his hands, cleaning it. Then he demanded 500,000 VND ($20) for the ‘service.'”
How to avoid it: Keep moving when you see shoe shiners approaching. If you want your shoes cleaned, negotiate the price first (should be 20,000-30,000 VND maximum) and don’t let them take your shoes off until you’ve agreed.
The Hotel Imposter Scam
Taxi drivers at Hanoi’s train station and airport love this one. They’ll tell you the hotel you booked is closed, burned down, or under renovation. Then they’ll offer to take you to a “better” hotel—where they get a commission, and you get an overpriced, substandard room.
How to avoid it: Always insist on going to your original booking. Call your hotel directly if you’re unsure. Use Google Maps to verify you’re going to the right location. If the driver refuses to take you there, get out and find another taxi.
Da Lat: The Mountain City Retreat
Da Lat attracts visitors with its cool climate, French colonial architecture, and flower gardens. While it’s generally calmer than the big cities, scams still exist.
The Motorbike Rental Trap
Da Lat’s winding mountain roads are perfect for motorbike exploration, but rental scams are common. Travelers report being charged for pre-existing damage they documented with photos, or having their bikes “stolen” by the rental company itself, then being charged thousands of dollars for replacement.
How to avoid it: Video-record the entire bike before renting, showing every scratch and dent. Never leave your passport as security—offer a cash deposit instead. Rent from established shops with good reviews, not random street vendors. Bring your own lock.
The Currency Confusion Game
Vietnam’s currency can be tricky—the bills have lots of zeros, and the 500,000 VND note (worth about $20) looks similar to the 20,000 VND note (worth 80 cents)—both are blue. Scammers use this confusion to shortchange tourists or switch bills when you’re not looking.
How to avoid it: Take time to familiarize yourself with Vietnamese currency before shopping. Keep large and small bills in separate pockets or wallet compartments. Pay with exact change when possible. For large purchases, use convenience stores or supermarkets to break big bills safely.
The Restaurant “No Menu” Trick
Local restaurants without English-speaking staff sometimes take advantage of foreign visitors. They won’t show you a menu, bring you dishes you didn’t order, and present an inflated bill after you’ve eaten.
How to avoid it: Always ask to see a menu with prices before ordering, even if you have to use Google Translate. If there’s no menu available, that’s your cue to find somewhere else. Use restaurant review apps to find honest establishments. Better yet, join a food tour where knowledgeable guides take you to trustworthy spots.
Universal Tips That Work Everywhere in Vietnam
For Transportation:
- Use Grab or official taxi companies (Mai Linh and Vinasun are reputable)
- Always insist the meter is turned on and starts at the base rate
- Take a screenshot of your route on Google Maps before the ride
- Carry small bills to avoid change-making scams
For Shopping:
- Research typical prices before visiting markets
- Start bargaining at about 1/3 of the asking price
- Don’t be afraid to walk away—they’ll often call you back with a better price
- Shop at convenience stores first to learn fair prices
For Staying Safe:
- Wear a cross-body bag in front of you
- Don’t flash expensive jewelry or electronics
- Keep your passport in your hotel safe
- Make copies of important documents
- Tell someone your daily plans
Remember: Vietnam’s Beauty Outweighs the Scams
Don’t let these warnings discourage you from experiencing Vietnam’s incredible culture, landscapes, and hospitality. The vast majority of Vietnamese people are wonderful, honest individuals who take pride in sharing their country with visitors.
Think of scam awareness like learning to cross the street safely. You don’t avoid cities just because there’s traffic—you simply look both ways and pay attention. The same principle applies here.
When you know what to watch for, you can relax and enjoy everything Vietnam offers: the sunrise over Halong Bay, the incredible pho for breakfast, the ancient temples, and the warm smiles from locals who are genuinely happy to meet you.
Quick Review: Your Scam-Avoidance Checklist
✓ Use official taxis or the Grab app ✓ Agree on prices before any service ✓ Decline “free” samples and photo opportunities ✓ Verify currency and amounts before paying ✓ Send back unwanted items placed on restaurant tables ✓ Book tours through reputable companies only ✓ Keep valuables secure and out of sight ✓ Research fair prices before shopping ✓ Trust your instincts—if something feels wrong, walk away
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Vietnam is waiting to share its magic with you. Now you’re ready to experience it safely, confidently, and without leaving your hard-earned retirement savings in the hands of scammers.
Safe travels, savvy friends!
Mary Johnson is the founder of Traveling Savvy Seniors and author of “The Slow Path to Wellness: How Travel Heals at Every Age” (soon to be published). She currently lives in Vietnam and helps American retirees plan international moves and exploratory trips to dream retirement destinations.
