Tea Invitation Extortion
Friendly Local Tea Scam
In various tourist areas across Vietnam, a seemingly friendly local, often a young woman or man, approaches tourists and invites them for free tea or coffee at a nearby shop, claiming it's a cultural gesture. Once at the venue, the bill arrives inflated to 300,000–1,000,000 VND ($13–$43 USD) per person for subpar tea, and the scammer may demand payment or involve aggressive associates if refused, leveraging Vietnam's hospitality culture to catch tourists off guard.
- Politely decline any invitations for free drinks from strangers, especially in busy areas like Hanoi Old Quarter or Ho Chi Minh City's District 1.
- Stick to reputable cafes like those in hotel areas where prices are displayed in VND and English, such as chains like Highlands Coffee.
- If approached, use the Vietnamese phrase 'Cảm ơn, không' (Thank you, no) and walk away quickly to crowded, well-lit streets.
Counterfeit Product Sales
Fake Designer Goods at Night Markets
At night markets and street stalls nationwide, vendors sell counterfeit luxury items like fake Louis Vuitton bags or Rolex watches, claiming they are authentic or 'factory seconds.' Tourists are lured with prices like 500,000 VND ($22 USD) for a bag that mimics real ones, but the items often fall apart quickly or are confiscated at airports, taking advantage of Vietnam's reputation for affordable shopping.
- Only buy from licensed stores with official receipts and holograms; for example, check for 'Made in Vietnam' labels on genuine local crafts.
- Avoid haggling in unregulated markets; instead, shop at verified outlets like Vincom malls where prices are fixed in VND and items come with warranties.
- Research brands beforehand and report suspicious stalls to tourist police using the hotline 113, as fakes contribute to Vietnam's intellectual property issues.
ATM Skimming Operations
Skimmed ATM Machines
Scammers install skimming devices on ATMs in tourist hotspots like airports or busy streets, capturing card details when tourists withdraw VND. For instance, a device at an ATM in Hanoi might clone a card, leading to unauthorized withdrawals of 5,000,000 VND ($215 USD) or more, often in collusion with insiders at banks like Vietcombank.
- Inspect ATMs for loose parts or skimmers before use, and prefer machines inside banks or hotels with security cameras.
- Use ATMs during daylight and cover the keypad when entering your PIN, as many in Vietnam are in exposed locations.
- Opt for cardless withdrawals via apps from trusted banks like Agribank, and monitor your account for unusual transactions in VND.