Unnecessarily expensive airport transfers in Vietnam

Long airport transfers and hotel-arranged pickups

How it works

A long metered airport trip can cost much more than an agreed transfer. Hotels may also add a large markup. In Da Lat, hotels are specifically described as asking inflated transfer prices. A high metered fare alone does not prove meter fraud.

Warning signs

No one explains the total likely cost of a long metered trip.
A hotel transfer quote is much higher than other quotes.

How to avoid it

Compare a fixed transfer quote with a shuttle or bus.
Check airport rates displayed on taxi doors.
Confirm the total before departure.

If it happens to you

Compare the bill with the agreed quote and ask for an explanation of added charges.

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 costFor the longer airport trips, metered fares of 500,000–650,000 dong are contrasted with negotiated fares of 200,000–300,000 dong. Da Lat hotel quotes of 300,000–400,000 dong are contrasted with arrangements around 200,000 dong. These are reference figures, not guaranteed current fares.

Where it happensLong airport transfers and hotel-arranged pickupsDa Lat, Hoi An, Nha Trang

What travellers report

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

More scams in VietnamTaxi detours to inflate the fare: how to avoid it

Questions

What is the unnecessarily expensive airport transfers scam in Vietnam?

How can I spot it early?

No one explains the total likely cost of a long metered trip. A hotel transfer quote is much higher than other quotes.

How do I avoid unnecessarily expensive airport transfers in Vietnam?

Compare a fixed transfer quote with a shuttle or bus. Check airport rates displayed on taxi doors. Confirm the total before departure.

What should I do if it happens to me?

Compare the bill with the agreed quote and ask for an explanation of added charges.

Where in Vietnam does this happen?

Long airport transfers and hotel-arranged pickups It has been reported in Da Lat, Hoi An, Nha Trang.

How much can it cost me?

For the longer airport trips, metered fares of 500,000–650,000 dong are contrasted with negotiated fares of 200,000–300,000 dong. Da Lat hotel quotes of 300,000–400,000 dong are contrasted with arrangements around 200,000 dong. These are reference figures, not guaranteed current fares.

How common is this scam in Vietnam?

Occasional. 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: taxi overcharging and rigged meters, airport taxi touts, airport toll padding.

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