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Common in Vietnam

Scam in VietnamOn the street

Unwanted coconut opened during a photo in Vietnam

Streets used by tourists

How it works

A coconut seller starts a friendly conversation and lets you hold the carrying-stick for a photo. While you are distracted, the seller opens a coconut you did not order and demands payment.

Warning signs

  • A seller offers you a carrying-stick for a photo.
  • A coconut is opened before you agree to buy it.
  • The price is only mentioned after the coconut is opened.

How to avoid it

  1. Decline the carrying-stick photo if you do not want to buy.
  2. Agree on the price before anything is opened.
  3. Do not accept an unrequested coconut.

If it happens to you

Say calmly that you did not order it. Move towards other people and seek police help if you are being forced to pay.

  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 costAround US$0.50 is given as the ordinary price, with a warning against paying more than about US$2.
Where it happensStreets used by touristsHo Chi Minh City

What travellers report

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

More scams in VietnamFake waiting charges from a motorbike taxi: how to avoid it

Questions

What is the unwanted coconut opened during a photo scam in Vietnam?

A coconut seller starts a friendly conversation and lets you hold the carrying-stick for a photo. While you are distracted, the seller opens a coconut you did not order and demands payment.

How can I spot it early?

A seller offers you a carrying-stick for a photo. A coconut is opened before you agree to buy it. The price is only mentioned after the coconut is opened.

How do I avoid unwanted coconut opened during a photo in Vietnam?

Decline the carrying-stick photo if you do not want to buy. Agree on the price before anything is opened. Do not accept an unrequested coconut.

What should I do if it happens to me?

Say calmly that you did not order it. Move towards other people and seek police help if you are being forced to pay.

Where in Vietnam does this happen?

Streets used by tourists It has been reported in Ho Chi Minh City.

How much can it cost me?

Around US$0.50 is given as the ordinary price, with a warning against paying more than about US$2.

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: friendly family invitation leading to a money request.

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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