Despite economic challenges, Vietnam has fewer beggars than one might expect. Most locals strive to earn a living, and many organized tours include visits to workshops that employ disabled workers, producing traditional handicrafts and local goods.

Common Tourist Scams and Annoyances

  • Fake Hotel Closures & Taxi Scams
    The days of taxi drivers falsely claiming that your hotel is closed or relocated—only to take you to a commission-paying alternative—are mostly gone, thanks to online hotel booking platforms. Similarly, rigged taxi meters have become far less common as reputable taxi services now dominate the industry. To avoid any issues, always use trusted ride-hailing apps like Grab or book taxis from reputable companies such as Mai Linh or Vinasun.

  • Tour Quality Issues
    One of the more persistent complaints involves organized tours not meeting expectations. Some common issues include:

    • Overcrowded tours with more participants than initially promised.
    • Subpar accommodations, such as rooms lacking air conditioning.
    • Limited English-speaking guides, making communication difficult.

If you’re on a group tour and have already paid in advance, getting compensation can be challenging, though it’s still worth reporting the issue to the travel agency. As a rule of thumb, cheap tours often mean lower quality, so it’s best to research reviews and avoid deals that seem too good to be true.