Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is considered one of the oldest cities in the world. It has many things to satisfy travelers from all over the world, such as elegant views, delicious street food, and a peaceful atmosphere. However, if you’re planning a trip here, there are some scams in Hanoi you should know about to be better prepared.
Exchange rate scam
Source: Vietnam Times
Currency exchange for the first time in a new country is a must for any tourist. For those who come to Vietnam, they must remember that most of the daily payments of Vietnamese people are in Vietnamese Dong.
Finding places to exchange money in Vietnam is not difficult, especially in a big city like Hanoi. You can go to some banks, jewelry stores, or the hotel you have booked. The exchange rate is the same. But first, you need to check the exact current exchange rate on the internet to make sure you are getting enough money.
Sometimes you can be fooled by the similar appearance of money. For example, 500,000 VND is the same as 20,000 VND because they are both blue. In this case, you should keep them in different places in your wallet. Try to pay large bills at restaurants, department stores, or supermarkets and only pay small bills outside.
Travel Scam
Like many other tourist centers, Hanoi Vietnam offers its tourists many amazing tour packages from different travel agencies. However, before booking a memorable trip, you need to make sure that everything these agencies offer is genuine. You can check online to see which reputable travel agencies are in the old town.
Hotel scam
Before arriving at your destination, you must secure accommodation there. But the problem is that there are many fake hostels and hotels with the same name in Hanoi with poor quality services. So if you don’t want to hit fake hotels and ruin your trip, you have to use Google Maps along the way.
Also, check your bill and room before paying. If there is any problem, please ask the owner to fix it immediately.
Taxi scam
Of course, you must use this transport to transfer between the famous attractions around Hanoi. However, there are a few issues with taxis here that you need to be aware of.
You might come up with an airport taxi scam. When you exit the airport, there are several taxi drivers who offer to drive you to their connected hotel. But this hotel turned out to be much more expensive and substandard. Moreover, along the way, taxis do not have fixed rates like regular taxis. Therefore, you will have to pay more for the driver.
The smart tip here is to book a taxi via your smartphone or book with reputable taxi companies such as Taxi Mai Linh and Taxi Hanoi. They charge by the meter and you only pay for the time shown on the meter.
If you need to book a taxi from your hotel, don’t hesitate to ask reception for help. Then you will feel more comfortable afterward.
Free donuts scam
If you walk around the old quarter of Hanoi, you may see a lot of street vendors selling all kinds of food. However, if a woman comes up to you and asks you to try a free doughnut, say no.
As you probably know, nothing is free in this world. Once you agree to taste that donut, the seller gently pressures you to buy some donuts at a premium price. Also, if you’re a picky eater, you might feel sick after trying this street donut because you have no idea what it’s made of.
To avoid this, you should try other street foods like banh xeo, banh mi, or so instead of these free donuts.
Free photo opportunities
Like the free donuts, though, the service isn’t free. If you see a seller in a Vietnamese conical hat approaching you for a free photo, say no immediately. Once you say yes, they will ask you for a certain amount of money. Other street vendors will use the same trick to cheat you out of money. So be careful with these people. Always remember not to object to free stuff offered by strangers.
See more: Hanoi little town hotel
Overcharge
In Hanoi, paying much more than the actual price for something can be called a scam. Whether it’s a visa extension or street fruit, you can easily be overcharged if you don’t pay attention to what the seller is saying.
So look for the best deal instead of taking the first one you get. The more effort you put in, the more offers you get.
See more: Bia Hoi Hanoi
The pickpocket
Hanoi is much safer than Ho Chi Minh City. But be careful every time you go out. Beware of pickpockets and bag thieves, as they can appear when you’re not looking at your belongings.
Most items can ruin your vacation. Therefore, you need to carry your shopping bag properly. Do not bring valuables with you when you go out. Be sure to keep an eye on your backpack if you get stuck in a crowded area.
Find out about all the scams in Hanoi that can happen while you are in the capital of Vietnam. Now, get ready to pack your bags and go to this beautiful city.
