Taxi overcharging and rigged meters in Vietnam

Airports, tourist arrival points and streets

How it works

A driver quotes an inflated fare or uses a meter that runs too fast. Some taxis lack displayed fares or driver identification. Taxi scams are less common in Da Nang. Meter fixing in Da Lat is described as a much reduced problem.

Warning signs

No fare list or driver name and photo are displayed.
The meter does not start, or its distance rises unusually fast.
The quote is far above an app estimate.

How to avoid it

Compare the trip with a ride-hailing app before boarding.
Use a reputable company or the official airport taxi stand.
Check that the meter starts shortly after departure.
Keep the destination written down and follow the route on your phone.

If it happens to you

Ask to stop somewhere public. Retrieve your belongings before discussing the disputed fare. Stay calm, seek witnesses and call police if threatened.

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 it can costSome Hanoi airport drivers ask for 800,000 dong. This is an example of an inflated demand, not a normal fare.

Where it happensAirports, tourist arrival points and streetsHanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Da Lat

What travellers report

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

More scams in VietnamHotel price scams: how to avoid it

Questions

What is the taxi overcharging and rigged meters scam in Vietnam?

How can I spot it early?

No fare list or driver name and photo are displayed. The meter does not start, or its distance rises unusually fast. The quote is far above an app estimate.

How do I avoid taxi overcharging and rigged meters in Vietnam?

Compare the trip with a ride-hailing app before boarding. Use a reputable company or the official airport taxi stand. Check that the meter starts shortly after departure. Keep the destination written down and follow the route on your phone.

What should I do if it happens to me?

Ask to stop somewhere public. Retrieve your belongings before discussing the disputed fare. Stay calm, seek witnesses and call police if threatened.

Where in Vietnam does this happen?

Airports, tourist arrival points and streets It has been reported in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Da Lat.

How much can it cost me?

Some Hanoi airport drivers ask for 800,000 dong. This is an example of an inflated demand, not a normal fare.

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: airport taxi touts, airport toll padding, unnecessarily expensive airport transfers.

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