Scam in VietnamTours and guides
Commission shopping stops on buses and tours in Vietnam
How it works
Bus companies stop at souvenir shops for extra income. Organised tours in Da Lat may also leave visitors at shops for about half an hour. You do not have to buy anything.
Warning signs
- A journey includes an unexpected souvenir-shop stop.
- Tour time is spent waiting inside a shop.
How to avoid it
- Ask about shopping stops before booking.
- Decline purchases you do not want.
- Allow extra travel time for bus stop-offs.
If it happens to you
Wait for the journey to continue and do not feel obliged to buy.
- Get to a safe, public place. Do not chase thieves or risk being dragged into traffic.
- If cards or a phone were stolen, freeze the cards and secure your phone, banking and email accounts.
- Save receipts, messages, booking details and photos. Write down the time, location, vehicle details and what happened.
- Report theft to police. In Ho Chi Minh City, use a station near the theft and take a Vietnamese speaker if possible. Ask for a written record.
- Contact the relevant hotel, transport company, booking provider or card issuer. Explain the disputed charge and provide your evidence.
- Contact your insurer about a claim. If your passport was stolen, contact your embassy or consulate for replacement-document help.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Redditr/VietNam2025For at least 45 minutes we've been in this roomA tour participant reports prolonged pressure to buy expensive silk products at an itinerary stop, with commenters explaining payments between shops and tour companies.Read on Reddit
- Redditr/VietNam2025To all those visiting Vietnam, what are some problems you often face while traveling in our country?A contributor describes guided tours diverting visitors to sales pitches and overpriced restaurants where guides receive a cut.Read on Reddit
Questions
What is the commission shopping stops on buses and tours scam in Vietnam?
Bus companies stop at souvenir shops for extra income. Organised tours in Da Lat may also leave visitors at shops for about half an hour. You do not have to buy anything.
How can I spot it early?
A journey includes an unexpected souvenir-shop stop. Tour time is spent waiting inside a shop.
How do I avoid commission shopping stops on buses and tours in Vietnam?
Ask about shopping stops before booking. Decline purchases you do not want. Allow extra travel time for bus stop-offs.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Wait for the journey to continue and do not feel obliged to buy.
Where in Vietnam does this happen?
Long-distance bus stop-offs and organised tours in Da Lat
How common is this scam in Vietnam?
Common. Vietnam is generally safe for tourists, but scams and petty theft are more common in tourist areas and larger cities. The main problems involve transport, hotel prices, restaurant bills, shopping and stolen phones or bags. Outside tourist hotspots, scams against foreigners are rare.
Who can I report it to?
Local police: report theft, threats or being prevented from leaving at a police station. In Ho Chi Minh City, report a stolen item near where the theft happened. Bring a Vietnamese speaker if possible. Ho Chi Minh City police contacts for forced coconut sales: the listed contacts are +84 8 3829 7643 and +84 8 38299835. These use an older number format and may be outdated. District 2 police station, Ho Chi Minh City: 989 Dong Van Cong, W. Thanh My Loi, D.2. Listed phone: +84 8 37451325. Listed hours: 07:30–11:30 and 13:00–17:00. Contact details may be outdated. District 3 police station, Ho Chi Minh City: 01 Nguyen Thuong Hien, Ward 4, District 3. Listed phone: +84 8 38392764. Listed hours: 07:30–11:30 and 13:00–17:00. Contact details may be outdated. District 4 police station, Ho Chi Minh City: listed at 14 Doan Nhu Hai, Ward 12, District 1. Listed phone: +84 8 39400188. Listed hours: 07:30–11:30 and 13:00–17:00. Confirm the address before travelling, as the listed district details conflict. District 5 police station, Ho Chi Minh City: 359 Tran Hung Dao, Ward 10, District 5. Listed phone: +84 8 38550878. Listed hours: 07:30–11:30 and 13:00–17:00. Contact details may be outdated. Binh Thanh police station, Ho Chi Minh City: 18 Phan Dang Luu, Ward 6, Binh Thanh. Listed phone: +84 8 38414882. Listed hours: 07:30–11:30 and 13:00–17:00. Contact details may be outdated. Phu Nhuan police station, Ho Chi Minh City: 181 Hoang Van Thu, Phu Nhuan. Listed hours: 07:30–11:30 and 13:00–17:00. Confirm the location and hours before travelling. Card issuer: use your bank's app or the contact number on your card to freeze a stolen card, report unauthorised transactions or ask about a disputed charge. Transport operator, hotel or booking provider: use the contact details on your booking or receipt. Include the agreed price, amount charged, trip details and supporting evidence. Ho Chi Minh City bus operator: for belongings lost on a city bus, ask at the station where the route starts or ends. Give the route, direction and approximate travel time. Bus cameras may help. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate through its official contact details if your passport is stolen or you need consular help. Travel insurer: contact the claims service on your policy. Keep police reports, receipts and evidence of ownership.
Reviewed by @snuck