Hanoi, Vietnam-How To Avoid Tourist Scams And Overcharging
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
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Since the making and publishing of this video Uber is no longer available in Vietnam. For ride sharing either by car or motorbike I recommend the Grab app or for motorbike taxis you can use the Go Viet app.
I love Hanoi! It's one of my favorite cities in Southeast Asia. The Old Quarter, French Quarter, and Hoan Kiem Lake hold some of the most charm, intrigue, and atmosphere in the whole region. But being overcharged or taken on a scam can taint your stay so I put this video together on my last visit in order to help you be prepared.
Actually many of these incidents don't usually involve big dollars but no one wants to be taken no matter how little it is. Sometimes the baguette ladies will try to charge you double, which is usually only 5000VND more or 20 cents but it's still double what you should be paying! As I said in the video most of these people are misguided or desperate and are often only trying to make some quick money to put food on the table. One other scam I did not include in the video are massage places that give you a price but then subsequently charge ridiculous fees for ad ons that feel like freebies, like water or tea. If you do a search on Trip Advisor or other platforms there are trustworthy places in Hanoi.
Mostly it's just common sense and being very clear how much something costs and in what currency. I've been to Vietnam 4 times in the last two years and it's just something I naturally do when I'm there. Most often hotels and tour companies will always quote you a price in US dollars so I automatically ask them to give me the price in VND. That way you can check the conversion rate before you agree to anything. Thanks so much for watching and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more videos from East, Southeast, and South Asia!
I am Vietnamese and I find the video quite knowledgeable and close to reality with the tourism situation in Vietnam. I would like to apologize to those who have been scammed about the cost, a fairly common problem. We will try to make everyone feel safer and happier. Hope you don't hate my country, travel agencies, markets or services will be improved. ^^ Thanks for vid ❤🇻🇳
Thanks very much! I really appreciate your kind thoughts for everyone. Having lived in Vietnam for a few years now I can share first hand that the majority of Vietnamese are very kind, fair, and rarely take advantage of foreigners. This type of behavior almost exclusively takes place in tourist centers. Thanks again!!!
@@iamjohnsaboe Thank you for coming and passing on many useful messages and lessons to many people who want to come to Vietnam. Thank you very much for that. ❤🇻🇳🇺🇸
How can they improve if that has being there forever?
Its good you are open about these things. That is the first step in fixing the problem. In your opinion is it a cultural thing? I have traveled a lot and not had that much problems. South America, North America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe. Of course there are problems every where but is it more in Asia?
I'm from Finland and every time when I'm abroad and some dude try to scam me I start to speak Finnish to him and pretend that I don't understand any English. Very simple way to get rid of those scam dudes.
Ha ha! I love it!!! Probably confuses the hell out of people!!! I suppose you could also just make up a language, how would they know? Cheers!!
@@iamjohnsaboe Indeed. Also one of the best ways to answer to a tourist scammer is the moment when they usually ask you that "what you do for living" and a bunch of other questions. Once in Rome I answer to that I'm working at Finland's police department. Naturally the guy leaves me alone :D
Awesome response!!!! Love it!!!
Same for me in Dutch!!
Hebrew works too. By the way, I loved Helsinki last year, and think it's a very underrated city. But no scams.
when my friends and i went to ho chi minh two summers ago and, luckily, we weren't scammed. i think it was because we also look like vietnamese people so none of these scammers thought of us as foreigners and didn't approached us. and we also used pre-booked transpo, went to restos with prices already listed in their menu, and most of our tours were all arranged by our hotel so we never really had to do it on our own...
my fam and i are planning to visit hanoi this year and we'll do what i did in saigon just so scammers won't get their chance on us (hopefully). and i really think vietnam is really a beautiful place and it's just like any other country in the world where there are good and bad people. we just need to be extra mindful of what's goin' on around us...
Scribbler in Panic yes I definitely agree with you on that! Hope you have a great time! Hanoi is one of my favorite places!
My mum is Vietnamese and when she went from UK to Vietnam she got scammed £100 in the airport...
Thi Quynh Anh Do terrible, sorry to hear that!!! What happened?
Scammers are definitely everywhere and anywhere there might be an opportunity. I'm sorry you Mom wasn't trreated respectfully in the west. Scam people can't outrun karma.
Really great primer, for those who are fortunate enough to be traveling to touristy spots like Hanoi, Vietnam. We all want to be kind, trusting and respectful, but getting burned will undermine that good will and dampen an otherwise valuable travel experience. Acting preoccupied and putting up a wall in certain instances, seems like sound advice. Thank you. 🕊
Joseph Gallagher thanks so much!!! I’ve read comments on many forums of incidents that totally turned people off from their trip and subsequently a return visit. Hopefully this kind of information will help people avoid these situations.
I've been also one of the victims of one of the scams there last month of August which is the shoe cleaning and the guy overcharged me, I payed 950,000 Dong and I didn't know at first that it was too expensive and asking me to pay him 50 US Dollars if I don't have enough Dong. For those who want to go to Vietnam, be careful. Ryan here from the Philippines.
So sorry to hear that! Unfortunately the few that learn these bad habits of cheating tarnish the reputation of an otherwise wonderful culture and people. The video was made to help visitors avoid these situations and with greater awareness hopefully influence change in attitudes.
John Saboe thank you 😁
Good advice John, I would like to add; the number 86 local bus in downtown Hanoi goes direct to the airport with only 3 very quick stops, is extremely fast from airport to downtown 35 minutes, it was actually as quick as a taxi and only 45,000 Dong!!! Another tip, in China where I live I watch to see what a local pays for items or similar to what I want, then I know what is the correct charge. To me Hanoi is great, as you say some of these people are desperate and every dollar counts but tourist beware! A quick "no thank you" and look away is all that's required
Will thanks so much for sharing!!! Those are some great tips and wisdom from obviously an experienced traveler!!!
@@iamjohnsaboe 56 yrs old, traveling since 1985 I have picked up a tip or two. I am here in Hanoi as we speak doing a feasibility study on moving our factory from Xiamen China to the near provinces of Hanoi. I find suppliers and available information very frustrating compared to China. I have never uploaded anything about anything on CZcams, however having experienced what I have here I am tempted to help those foreigners wishing to do things like set up a factory here. Vietnam in my opinion has a lot to learn [business wise] and it has not put me off moving here from China. Good luck Johno!
Thanks my friend and I admire what you’re doing, and with the events in the news of late,(trade wars), not surprised. I would agree with you that Vietnam has a long way to go in the areas of management, customer service, and training but they are a young population as you are aware-they just need time. In my short time here so far I’ve made lots of observations and it’s my belief they have the will and tenacity to succeed with the right management, leadership, and support. China has had a huge head start but not long ago, 20 years maybe, they were enticing foreigners with all kinds of lucrative packages to come and help them grow. I’ve also heard of poor customer service from their end on partners in Taiwan, Korea, and Germany. You’re the expert, with far deeper knowledge than myself and I’m sure you’ll come up with the right solutions for your business. Cheers and good luck!!!
Not a counterpoint, because all of this is useful and valid, but...I've been in HCMC and around the Mekong Delta(Ben Tre) for a week so far, and I have been met with nothing but hospitality and kindness from everyone. The last five days or so I've had to fight to pay for anything with our Couch Surfing host(who took us to a family gathering in the countryside with her within an hour of meeting), and people in Ben Tre showering us with coconuts and bananas and inviting us in for tea. We literally felt like we had to get out of people's homes before they gave us the shirts of their backs, people who have few material things, but are overflowing with goodness in their hearts. It's only been one week, and I feel like the 7 remaining will be too few. If I could just figure out how to get people to stop giving me plastic bags and straws(i already ask them not to in Vietnamese, and show them I have my own), I could just stay here.
I’m so glad you shared your experience here! This absolutely warms my heart when I here stories like your’s! When I create videos like Hanoi Scams it’s so people can avoid these incidents, which for some ruins their impression of the people. I want everyone to leave Asia with stories just like yours! You obviously have an open mind and have opened your heart up to have an experience like this. The last time I was in the Mekong Delta I was walking around Can Tho shooting some video. I stopped on a street crouching over to change out some gear, before I knew it a smiling man came from out of his shop and brought me a chair, his only intention was kindness. Getting out into the country away from tourist spots helps a great deal as well no matter where you travel. In South Asia it’s no different, get away from busy tourist spots and you’ll meet some of the kindest, most generous people on the planet! Thank you again for sharing-savor every moment of your journey!
With a big THUMP-UP, that was a very useful and comprehensive report about how to avoid tourist scams in such countries.
Thanks very much!!!
Was scammed in a hotel. Double charged. The hotel had 2 card machines with 2 different companies. Make sure you use a card with instant confirmation of every transaction. I really tried to avoid Vietnam since then.
Haven’t heard of stuff like this lately but it’s possible anywhere in Southeast Asia.Good tip!
Awesome video brother. I'm in Hanoi right now, travelled from Canada. Perfect advice.
Great video work as well!
Thanks very much!!! Really appreciate that, have an awesome time!!!
Thanks for the tips. Never liked being scammed during a vacation. Just ruins the entire trip.
Yes for sure!
You can't let being a dummy once ruin the whole trip
I've been to Hanoi four times, and found that the hassling lessens each time. I assume that I've developed a sense of knowing where I'm going, which is always a good idea, even if you don't.
And John is right - best to totally ignore. Make as if you don't hear, don't understand their language (I sometimes answer them in Hebrew, and they stop), or don't care. Even a word, or eye contace, will convince them that they should keep on trying.
Yes so true! Thanks for sharing!!!
Well noted. Always walk purposefully and never get chatty in these areas....It's all part of the travel game. 🙂
I visited some small towns and a fish village last year in Vietnam. I found most vietnamese I encantered to be hospitable, honest and humble. When in Saigon / Hanoi I didn't stay in touristy spots for too long to avoid annoying tourists and shady scammers.
We did not encounter any scammers there probably because we don't go for spa, or any trishaw ride. The lady who sold us fruits, sweet dessert may have over charge us a little more than the locals but it's not too bad. I happily paid them a little more when I think it is reasonable especially they had to carry those heavy baskets with them everywhere.
Great video and advise John. I was there last year and on my first day around the fountain was approached by a man who tried to squirt glue on my sandals. I just said no and walked away, but in retrospect it's pretty hilarious because I have it on video! Glad you mentioned the last part about the students in the park too. Many students in HCMC and Hanoi use the parks to practice English and I'm more than happy to do it with them... in fact, I'm still friends with some whom I met on my last day in Vietnam.
Stephen graham thanks so much for sharing your experience. I’m sure your story will help others to enjoy Hanoi. Sorry to hear about your glue incident and that is certainly on the side of the extreme in tactics. So nice that you’ve kept in touch with those students.
This happened to me outside the War Remnants Museum in HCMC. Luckily, I had been practicing my "Khong, kham unh's." I knew he was a shoeshine guy, but my girl was wearing matte finish Dr. Martens and I was wearing sandals so I figured he'd just cut his losses. But he tried to have a look at mine, and before I knew it, was pulling out some superglue, applying it all while I repeated, No, thank you. His friends nearby were laughing, and we were, too. After I felt the damn superglue on my foot, I just started walking and walked away, just a little wiser. I got "scammed' by a shoeshine guy in Central America, too(I forget which country). He told me one price, then named another outrageous price(~12usd) when finished. Luckily, I still had my shoes on, and I speak Spanish. I told him to kick rocks and only gave him what he first quoted. Cheeky fellas keep you on your toes.
Scamming unaware tourists is a global industry! Even in Europe, Paris for instance! Be aware, do your homework as to the local scams and you should be ok. Thanks for the informative video, will hopefully help me to stay out of harm's way in my upcoming trip to Vietnam.
Thanks very much and have an enjoyable stay!!!
Lie I travel a lot and it’s not like that everywhere
Paris is Not Europe, it's Africa!!
Thank you for the video. I had a shoeshine guy get me in HCMC while I was waiting on a tour bus. He kept ignoring me when I would ask how much and then tried to get me to pay 500k. My bus was leaving and I over paid, but I gave him 200k despite his yelling. A real negative experience. The country would do well for itself by cracking down on these people, because now I view all those who approach me on the street with complete skepticism. If there are honest people trying to make a living doing these services like the taxi bicycles, I will never know, because I don’t trust them. Is it a few bad apples or is the whole bushel bad? 🤷🏼♂️ If it is a few bad apples, the bad ones are hurting the honest ones.
Thanks again! The majority of Vietnamese people are kind, honest, friendly, and welcoming. It is true unfortunately that a few can spoil it for the majority. Awareness no matter where you are in the world is especially important in targeted areas like airports, bus stations etc. Thanks again for watching and subscribing.
I'll be in Hanoi in 4 weeks and so appreciated this video. Thanks for the info.
You’re welcome! Hope you have a great time!
Going to Hanoi in 2 weeks. This video was a great help to me too.
Kunaal Prasad thanks! Have a great time!!!
John Saboe cheers man!
John Saboe hey man. I was just wondering if you could advise me SIM cards. Is it advisable to buy a sim card at the airport?
Thanks in advance.
Thank you for this. I'll be in Hanoi in the hopefully not too distant future so I'm very glad I found this video.
My pleasure, enjoy your stay!
Nice summary.
Maybe another thing.
If you want to use reputable companies like the Sinh tourist, check their adress first, cause there are so many fake sinh cafes in Hanoi
The Haeggarr cool! Thanks for sharing!!!
Thanks for sharing these great tips! We are going to Hanoi soon and this will help a lot!
That’s great! Subscribe to the channel and keep watching for more videos from Vietnam!
Great advise. I was there 3 years ago and those donuts ladies try to short change me by giving the incorrect changes back so I bitch at her. First of all, they already over charging you and now try to stiff you too. Don't feel sorry for these people because they are just out to get you. Ignore them and move on. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing!
Nice video, well presented and I particularly enjoyed seeing some video footage on your subject - in this case, Hanoi.
Thanks very much!
Thanks for sharing. This is very very helpful. I'm going to visit Hanoi next April...(I'm so excited)
You’re welcome! Hope you have a great time!!!
Thank you for this! I'll be on Vietnam this July and I find this a big help.
That’s great! Hope you have a wonderful time! Keep watching here for new videos on Vietnam coming soon!
omg same
Thank you for your travel tips to Hanoi.
My pleasure!
Will be in Hanoi in three days, I think the hardest part is finding out what the average prices are of everything. Once I got that base guideline of the prices, then I have no worries of getting scammed.
Yes good idea. Check the prices for things away from Hoan Kiem Lake and anywhere that doughnut ladies hangout.
Thanks for the tips thou this is 4 years video , I am going next week to Hanoi
Good luck! Tips should still be relevant.
With taxi you can set a price before you get in and pay when you get to where you wanted to go makes sure to have correct money other wise the driver will keep the extra as a tip, the same with the moto taxi. When it comes to pricing you also see two prices one for Vietnamese and one for tourist this is at government tourist places. Barging is the best and walk away if not happy with price.
In SE Asian I use 2 words a lot; "No thanks" if I can't ignore them. And hold hand palm up as I ignore them after the 1st try.
I just hate it when they try to stop me or touch me.
Good to see actual tips instead of new tourists showing the friendly beach vendor guy!!! lol
Thanks very much and thanks for sharing! I learned the hand palm up maneuver many years ago from a tour operator in Nepal and it usually does the trick. I don’t like the touching either, way too personal.
I am going to Hanoi next week with my 70 years old mom so we need a lot of Grab.. thanks for the tip
My pleasure, have a wonderful stay!
My rule of thumb is ‘100% of the time anyone comes to you is up to no good, period’
It’s not a bad routine especially around these tourist hot spots and transportation centers. There are some nice people around there too though including the kids that ask foreigners to help them practice English. That’s why I always stress the importance of getting away from these places and wandering through non touristy neighborhoods and markets where you’ll meet truly big hearted locals!
With the exception of kids in the park wanting to practice English, locals will NEVER approach you unless they are selling something.
Depends.
Scamming is such a deterrent to visiting the country !
Sure can be.
Hello John,
Great video.
Does Grab/Bolt work at the airports in Vietnam ?
If not, which Taxis companies do you recommend in Vietnam ?
Thank you so much.
Grab absolutely works. Otherwise Mai Linh or Vina Sun. For Hanoi should cost around $12-13 to old quarter. HCMC to District 1 $5-6.
Thanks for sharing tips on bargaining. I once saw a white man in a 7eleven bargaining for cigarettes. He should've watched this video!
No problem, yes that’s kind of ridiculous for sure!
Everything sounds so expensive cos it's in 1000's confuses the hell out of me
Yeah sure can be!
gaz riley 150k dong is around $8 USD
@@sareenotsorry4859 do you know it in £
If only we have watched this before going there,we could have avoided what happened to my husband!
love your videos and tips, Thanks, you look just like a co-worker of mine here in LA, Thanks
thumbs up
Cool, thanks very much!
Use riding apps, you pay more than a local taxi/motorbike but its a fixed rate at least
It’s also safer!
Mr.John I really dig all your informative videos. They all seem to take us right there to the moment, experiencing what you are explaining. I have learned quite a bit from your videos and it has helped me on several occasions. Stay frosty Bro’....
Thankd dude!!! Appreciate the feedback and glad you find the videos are helpful! You make me want to do more!!!
The combination of your high intelligence and the joy and energy to do this selfless “chores” is refreshing.
tango down those are very kind words coming at a time where the encouragement is especially appreciated! Thank you so much!!!🙏
Useful and very informative. Thanks!
You’re welcome!
Thanks for the tip @ reminder.. ❤
You’re very welcome!
Just happened to me. Asked - 20k for a cup of coffee. Reconfirm 25k when they serve me. Turns 30k when paying. Ok, fine, not a lot of money. Second round go with a friend for 2 cups. Paid with 200k notes and back with 40k only.
This is unusual. I’ve never seen or heard of attempts to scam people over coffees. Majority of these places are honest. Sorry to hear that!
Not much money but so annoying and it let the whole trip to be not impressive.
Mr John thank you to much for this information
This guy is so cheap and doesn’t know a lot about Vietnam, just a whole bunch of useless information.
Thank you for this. I will be visiting Hanoi next week and I am worried.
Charina Hägglund hope you have a great time! Avoiding these situations should result in a good trip! It’s a charming place and there are lots of nice people there too!
thank u
@@iamjohnsaboe just sucks that it runs the places I would want to see. Was planning on going for a week as part of a couple month far east trip, I might rethink that
Bill Kane go! Just ignore these folks, use the apps to hire cars and you’ll be fine! I produced this video because I love Hanoi and I want others to enjoy it! There are some really lovely people there that exude the true Vietnamese charm.
@@iamjohnsaboe I'll try, not easy for me though
Very informative sir! Thank you!
You’re welcome!
Glad I found this video. I will probably catch a bus from the airport to hotel.
I live in the city and use to having random strangers approach me. Safe to say that I have the experience and ability to ignore people.
Do you have any tips for exchanging money and using money?
You will be just fine! I’m usually one to just use atm’s to convert money. You can get a better deal sometimes at a private money changer but going to HSBC or another large bank is safer. There are a couple of HSBC locations in the Old Quarter, one near St. Joseph Cathedral. Always be clear on the cost in the currency you will be using. As I said in the video many will quote you in USD. If you’re using Dong then make sure you ask them the price in local currency so you’re not getting screwed on a ridiculous exchange rate.
Thanks for the tips.
Im fascinated with vietnamese food and would love to visit Vietnam for authentic food but i kind of wary why some vietnamese people do that to the tourists and why their government not take action for this scamming business. I have second thought of visiting Vietnam.
Most Vietnamese are not like this. It’s the few that spoil it for the rest. Keep your guard up in tourist spots and you’ll be fine.
ah yes the old shoe cleaning scam. They'll always try to 'repair' your shoes for more than what a new pair costs in the markets here. but also they'll quote you a reasonable price say 20,000 but when they're done they say 40,000 because they cleaned two shoes. tbh I thought this was hillarious and just paid the man.
Yes that’s right 20,000. Some of the nastier guys won’t give your shoes back until you hand over 200,000. Same amount it costs to get your teeth cleaned here!
So smart and right! Have a lovely weekend! Thanks for sharing! Regards...
Thanks very much!!!
@@iamjohnsaboe 💐🤝🌹
This happens all over the world, in Europe too for instance, and this is a good guide. However you can never fully guard against individual stupidity and there will always be people straight off the plane who go and exchange money in the street for a load of fake local notes (I witnessed some Yanks falling for that once in Budapest), or will think the pan handler they've just met is a great example of local culture...
😂Very true!
very informative video mate. Travelling here with my partner at the end of the year. It looks like a really nice city
Thanks very much my friend! One of the most charming cities in all of Asia!
@@iamjohnsaboe No problem. When will you be travelling to this part of the world again?
Notorious3:16 I hope sometime soon! Hanoi is one of my fav cities in Southeast Asia!
Great advice. Thanks so much.
You’re welcome!
Great video thanks
Thanks very much!!!
But the taxi guy from the a. Airport to my hotel in bu vien he was honest he charged me 140000 but I gave him 100k,tip he was very happy
Wow, that was a very generous tip!!’
The shop name is NGOC HOA pls don't believed his items are from Australia etc.. Because they are all the same from china
Good advice, thanks👍
You’re very welcome! Thank you!
Wow :) love this im planning to travel to vietnam solo after this covid thing..im excited 😎
Great, keep dreaming, keep planning!!!
Very instructive, thanks👍
Thank you!
Thanks for the advice
You’re very welcome!
Unfortunetaly recently a friend of mine had a very bad experience with a waitress from Vietnam based in Abu Dhabi named Ha . She got from him lots of money and material objects like I phone , scooter even refrigerator and washing machine , besides too much cash . She lied to him , played the victim card and so many other things I can't describe . Beware !!!
Your friend will be fine. People do desperate things believing that it’s the only way out of their situation.
Good video John thanks for the information
You’re welcome and thank you!!!
Me and my friend was a victim of those doughnut ladies 😆. One of the vendor offer her conical hat to my friend for a picture and after i shot the camera i noticed that the lady already packing some doughnuts and my friend was forced to pay for it. Haha. We just laughed it out everytime we remember that experience. Anyway, nice tips. 👍
I’m glad you can laugh about and not let it spoil your memories! Thanks for sharing your story which will help others understand their nature. Happy travels in the future!
John Saboe i would like also to share another weird experience. After we arrive at Hanoi airport around 1 AM we immediately get a taxi. We agreed on the price and right before we exit the airport i noticed that the driver is talking to someone on his phone. Then after exiting the taxi driver suddenly transferred us to a private car to bring us to our hotel with the same price we agreed upon. We wondered why he would do that and i then make sure that our luggage at the compartment of the taxi is also transferred. Along the way i constantly checking my Waze if we are still on the right route just to make sure 😆 We arrive at our hotel safely but its just kind a weird especially for us being first time in this country.
I’m glad everything went OK. Maybe he was just getting clients for drivers who can’t speak English or another language then taking a commission from the driver. It’s possible.
Love u, and love Hanoi 😍😍😍
Thanks for sharing ✌️✌️✌️
Thanks very much!!!
first day I was too nice till I got fed up of getting overcharged
Take care!
Thank you!
My pleasure!
Lol. My wife got scammed by the donut lady around the lake that you are filming from. It happened exactly like you described
Oh that’s too bad! Hopefully it easy too much!
@@iamjohnsaboe Lol. She demanded that my wife buy the donuts because she tasted it already. Yes my wife was forced to pay $3 dollars for several days old donuts.
To top it off that scamming story, my wife was scammed in Bali, Indonesia by a banana lady with similar tactic. But that time the woman asked my wife to taste one of her banana and my wife refused but instead, the woman just shoveled the banana into my wife's closed mouth then demanded money because my wife ate her banana already. SMFH, the extend of how far some people will do to get your money. Thank you for your reply
Yes Indonesia has lots of scams but I’ve never heard quite a story like that. Sadly people can get very desperate and resort to all kinds of bad habits in order to chase a living.
I also got scammed when I booked grab bike by going directly to a driver nearby. When we reached the destination he said 'no grab' and charged me x3 of the original price. Lesson learned: avoid GrabNow and just use the traditional way of booking in Grab. :-)
Sorry to hear that! If you had gotten his license number you could have sent it to Grab. Yes never go with any of these drivers unless you have a trip booked in the app first no matter what they tell you!
@@iamjohnsaboe Yes I could have gotten his license number, but I forgot. Next time I'll be more careful and alert :)
These people are often not grab at all. They are just wearing grab clothing. Always use the app.
Very good tips.❤🎉🎉
Thanks very much!
@@iamjohnsaboe I have watched your Hoi An Travel Log. It's very exciting with drone views and time lapse. I went to Da Nang with my wife and daughter last month and lucky enough to visit Ba Na Hills.
@@farmedia that’s really great! Thanks again for watching!!!
Thank you for actual useful tips!
Ys I am in Hanoi now and i got scam like 3 time In 3 day lol now I am gonna be more careful
Please be careful especially near Hoan Kiem Lake and tourist areas!
Really? How?
john, where do you exchange money ($ to dong) - at the airport or downtown?
ammomeister airport exchange counters are almost always more costly. Anywhere else would be better.
👍👍👍Good video, thank you for the hardwork, very2 important and important to watch and subscribe
Thanks very much!!!
i got scammed by the donut ladies!! make sure to give them or anyone else on the street EXACT CHANGE because my lady took my money and walked away and then when i followed her to get my change she was supposed to give me 50000 but only gave me 5000 (which is only less than 2 USD but still)... and the donuts were NASTY
Yes giving exact change for stuff like this is a good tip! Sorry that happened but at least it was fairly minor. I more worry about people getting their wallet lifted. Thanks for sharing!!!
good advices....useful ....thank you
You’re welcome! Glad you found the video helpful!
Thank you to let us know.
what happens if you just dont pay even after they do the service and you walk away? you are not obligated to pay them if they just did it on their own?
If you are talking about the shoe repair guys they won’t give you your shoes back until you pay!
good job John . any tips are good. I'm traveling Vietnam 1st time soon. Do you think hotel room safes are safe? Do you carry your passport around with you? I went thailand last year I feel very safe there . Thai people are awesome, kind , honest,friendly.
What is there to do in Hanoi other then Halong bay?
I think the safes are fine to use. I’ve never heard anything otherwise. Some hotels or guesthouses will ask for your passport as a deposit. Of course it’s always better to keep it on you as it could be potentially held as hostage. I’ve given it to them before and never had any issues though but just be sure you are staying at a trusted place. I don’t carry my passport around with me unless I need it for something. Always keep a copy of it in a hidden folder in your phone.
Vietnamese people are very friendly. Sapa is a wonderful place to visit for one or two nights or more if you’re based in Hanoi.
also, tell them to call the police, or offer to call the police yourself. Unlike in Rome, (where I called the police they wouldn't solve and pretty much allow scams to go on in front of their eyes,) here the police will be on your side and shoo away the scammer.
Yes they have tourist police in many places in Hanoi and HCMC where foreigners like to visit.
05:52 is a great tip for travel anywhere.
Thanks!
Thank you so much for this
You’re welcome!
I'm most worried about fake tours to the country side, just driving me to the middle of nowhere, how to avoid that?
Usually these kind of things happen when you go with someone you just meet on the street. Always book a tour with a reputable travel agent, tour company, or your hotel/guesthouse and you will avoid this.
John Saboe I am thinking about booking tours with a reputable hotel I'm staying at. For going far out into the countryside, do you think a bus would be best, or Uber?
The bus is fine, the problem with Uber, actually Uber no longer exists in Vietnam, so you’ll have to use Grab, is you may be able to book a ride from Hanoi, depending on how far out you want to go, but getting back might be impossible. There won’t be any Grab drivers waiting for you out there in all likelihood. Better to book a private car through your hotel, or you can rent a car for the day from a reputable company. All car rentals in Vietnam include a driver.
@@iamjohnsaboe What's the best way to get from Saigon to Hue? Plane or train?
Definitely fly, almost the same price depending on when you book.
Also I got scammed in a sofisticated way.. Like the normal is coffee per kilo is like 300k this guy charged me 85000 anyway I end up paying total of 300 us dollars... I hated myself I feel so bad why I trusted this married couple..
Thanks for sharing. Sometimes shop owners will try to pressure to buy on the spot for fear you’ll figure them out if you leave without buying. Always have excuses, like I didn’t bring any cash with me, something to that extent. It will give you time to check around to see if it’s a legit price or they’re just trying to rip you off. Happens almost anywhere!
Thanks for sharing
My pleasure!
Cleaning shoes is a trick from the Vietnam war
Also..was asked for a bribe I the airport to process the Visa. When I refused they kept my passport for 2 hours and nearly lost it.
Sorry to hear that. Entered and exited through three different airports in Vietnam multiple times and never a problem-always straightforward.
If you walk 5 mins out of the tourist zones everyone is very friendly and helpful. If you hang out in the touristy areas (Old Quarter and around Hoan Kiem) then just use your brain and you'll be fine. People aren't mean, they're just trying to get by.
Very true. As I mentioned in the video the people are merely misguided and or desperate for the most part. There are some despicable people out for much more you should always be on the lookout for.
Sorry to hear that so had better to go the beach in America Not be safe at all
It’s a lovely charming city and I would always highly recommend people visit Hanoi!
What is the song at 0:12 ? I really like it.
Here is an interesting statistic.....Return rate for tourists who have visited Thailand is 50% .The return rate
for Vietnam is 6%. I think an intelligent person can draw their own conclusions.
Richard Hamlin it’s true but we don’t know for sure if it is all because of tourist scams. Thailand has its share of scams too but it also has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world that people return to every year.
Luke Smith all spot on true!
Luke Smith
It's circa £60 to fly from Thailand to Vietnam
Both are stunningly as beautiful as each other
How can you name results of a statistic without naming the exact statistic? There is actually a statistic stating that people believe everything when you start it with "there is a statistic that"... Just saying. Don't believe random comments like that without checking the source first - that's how fake news spread.
I've been to both, prefer Vietnam
Thanks you my friend before I think for go to Vietnam when I see you video I not go
Oh no, the video is not designed to discourage you to visit! Only to save you some headaches, mostly not serious stuff!
Yay you go in may canrry in Manila Philippines
If I remember correctly that this is the city that gave j.founter a new name Hanoi jane
I got scammed. Taxi driver used a manipulated meter.
Terrible! Only use Grab! Or have your hotel book a cab.
NOTE... Do NOT wear jewelry in Vietnam and many Asian countries. Dress down and look poor
Yes good points! Thanks!!!
Since I'm poor that should be easy.
MAKE MY DAY you don't have to look poor. Just avoid wearing expensive jewelry or carry expensive camera on the streets.
@@IshitaChanda I'm a photographer. Can't really do that. Not that they'd know the difference between a 60d and a 6d. All very expensive in a place where meals can be had for less than a dollar.
@@couragexcrew I don't know about other countries. But in India majority know about expensive camera and other gadgets. Infact mostly these things get stolen. These countries are developing countries so they have cheap food but that doesn't mean they don't know. Let's not judge.
Here is what I do. I know the price of an item that I want to buy and I would tell them, Tell me the right price or I'll walk away. Habitually, they would still tell you a jacked up price. Say no more and walk away. I doubt that this treatment will change their culture, but some will learn if they know that you know the price.
Yes that’s a very smart way to go about it! Thanks for sharing!!!
very helpful
Great, thanks!
I trust the Grab and Vina taxi only.
I hear Mai Linh and Vinasun taxi companies are trustworthy.?! Can you confirm this... Thank you in advance ^^
I’ve heard Mai Linh is ok but almost everyone recommends making note of the driver’s info. They are also more expensive. I still recommend using Grab, Uber and Grab are one. Depending on where you are it’s usually not a long wait, unless it’s raining.It’s safer, cheaper, and the driver is completely accountable.
dont trust anyone man.
asking the price before u go
u can use gps before the trip so you can track where they go or they might take you around to get more charge.
Du Tai yes that’s very true that can happen. Still better to use the Grab app.
So true