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Common in Vietnam

Scam in VietnamBuses and trains

Street motorbike taxi overcharging in Vietnam

Street pickup points, Hanoi's Old Quarter and outside Da Nang Railway Station

How it works

A street motorbike taxi driver may overcharge a visitor who has not fixed the fare. Outside Da Nang Railway Station, motorbike taxis may cost as much as, or more than, a car taxi.

Warning signs

  • The driver keeps the fare vague.
  • The driver will not confirm the full amount before leaving.
  • A motorbike ride costs more than a comparable car ride.

How to avoid it

  1. Book through a ride-hailing app.
  2. For a street booking, write the full fare with every zero.
  3. Get a clear agreement before setting off.

If it happens to you

Refer to the agreed fare. Discuss any dispute in a public place and avoid an argument.

  1. Get to a safe, public place. Do not chase thieves or risk being dragged into traffic.
  2. If cards or a phone were stolen, freeze the cards and secure your phone, banking and email accounts.
  3. Save receipts, messages, booking details and photos. Write down the time, location, vehicle details and what happened.
  4. 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.
  5. Contact the relevant hotel, transport company, booking provider or card issuer. Explain the disputed charge and provide your evidence.
  6. Contact your insurer about a claim. If your passport was stolen, contact your embassy or consulate for replacement-document help.
What it can costExamples given are no more than 20,000 dong for a short ride in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, and around 70,000 dong to Ho Chi Minh City's airport. Treat these as older reference prices.
Where it happensStreet pickup points, Hanoi's Old Quarter and outside Da Nang Railway StationHanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang

What travellers report

Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.

More scams in VietnamUnwanted coconut opened during a photo: how to avoid it

Questions

What is the street motorbike taxi overcharging scam in Vietnam?

A street motorbike taxi driver may overcharge a visitor who has not fixed the fare. Outside Da Nang Railway Station, motorbike taxis may cost as much as, or more than, a car taxi.

How can I spot it early?

The driver keeps the fare vague. The driver will not confirm the full amount before leaving. A motorbike ride costs more than a comparable car ride.

How do I avoid street motorbike taxi overcharging in Vietnam?

Book through a ride-hailing app. For a street booking, write the full fare with every zero. Get a clear agreement before setting off.

What should I do if it happens to me?

Refer to the agreed fare. Discuss any dispute in a public place and avoid an argument.

Where in Vietnam does this happen?

Street pickup points, Hanoi's Old Quarter and outside Da Nang Railway Station It has been reported in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang.

How much can it cost me?

Examples given are no more than 20,000 dong for a short ride in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, and around 70,000 dong to Ho Chi Minh City's airport. Treat these as older reference prices.

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.

Are there similar scams in Vietnam?

Yes: fake waiting charges from a motorbike taxi, claiming there is no change, pay-what-you-like cyclo ride.

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.

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