VIETNAM NIGHTLIFE

10 trò lừa đảo tinh vi ở Việt Nam và lời khuyên của chuyên gia để tránh chúng | Cuộc sống về đêm ở Việt Nam


so
you don’t think you could be tricked by an 80 year old
grandma selling coconuts
think again, here in Vietnam
scams come in all shapes and sizes
from charming old ladies to high tech fraudsters
today we’ll expose the top 10 scams
and give you
local nomad tips on how to spot and dodge them
whether it’s taxi tricks or street vendor shenanigans
these essential tips will keep you safe
and savvy on your travels
let’s get started
welcome to Lazy Nomad, your the hardest working
lazy explorer of Southeast Asia’s night scene
we venture into the neon wilderness
so you can enjoy the adventure
from the comfort of your couch
from the electric avenues
to the hidden corners of nightlife unknown
Lazy Nomad braves the buzzing streets and sultry sounds
to bring you the most captivating walking tours
and cultural deep dives
with a blend of humour
insight and the occasional lazy detour
where your authoritative guide to
the nocturnal wonders of this vibrant region
remember in the world of Lazy Nomad
every night is an adventure
waiting to be lazily explored
our motto is working tirelessly so you don’t have to
unless it’s to hit the subscribe button
when planning your trip to Vietnam
you might consider using a travel agent
or an independent operator
beware
as some might scam you by creating fake websites
or offering suspiciously cheap tour and hotel packages
they’ll ask for a 50% deposit up front
then disappear once you’ve paid
scammers might also impersonate airlines,
train ticket agents, offering cheap tickets
and sending fake booking codes to build trust
new to the city
watch out for taxi drivers
who claim your hotel is full or closed
and offered to take you to a different one
at a cheaper rate
this scam could leave you an unsafe accommodation
with bad food and poor service
to avoid these scams
always verify credentials before booking
read reviews on Google or Trip Advisor
ask friends who have been to Vietnam
and use reputable websites for bookings
for accommodation I recommend Booking.com
Agoda, TraveloKa or SkyScanner for flight tickets
and if you need more detailed information
or have any questions please ask in the comments
the Lazy Nomad community is here to help
and provide the best advice
to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable trip
after landing in Vietnam
you might feel like a celebrity
surrounded by taxi drivers
offering rides to your hotel
trust me I’ve been there
if you agree to ride with them
you might end up in a car with a broken or rigged meter
getting driven in circles
or heading in the wrong direction
all while the fair sky rockets
these scammers often target new arrivals
and can be found at airports,
train stations, bus stations and tourist spots
to dodge the scam stick with reputable taxi companies
like MaiLinh or VinaSun
pay close attention to their logos to avoid copycats
bring small bills to pay the drivers
since some conveniently
never have change for large bills
in Vietnam alternatively
I highly recommend using ride hailing services
like Grab, Be or Xanh which offer electric vehicles
both cars and motorbikes
these services are more affordable
and transparent about the route and fair
for example
from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to District 1
Ho Chi Minh City it should cost around 150,000 VND+
a 25,000 VND airport fee with, a taxi
another scam I’ve personally encountered a few times
happens late at night
after arriving at your destination
you hand over money to the driver
who quickly swaps the bill for a smaller one
claiming you made a mistake
and asking you to pay the "correct" amount
if the driver doesn’t want to turn on the car lights
be cautious use your phone to light up the area
and don’t be afraid to confront them
threaten to call the police if necessary
scammers
usually back off when faced with potential trouble
not all street vendors are scammers
many are genuinely friendly and love to entertain
a great example is the mango
pineapple
and banana singing vendor you might have seen online
however be cautious
as some scammers can look very friendly
and try to make friends with you
appearing innocent, take the coconut man
for instance
he might offer you free coconut on a hot day
only to charge you 10 times the normal price
these scammers often seem harmless
and kind making it easier
for them to take advantage of unsuspecting tourists
politely refuse and walk away if you encounter this
if you’re thirsty and want the coconut water
always ask for the price first
pay up front then take the coconut and walk away
remember scammers can be quite charming and convincing
stay vigilant
and don’t let a friendly demeanor lower your guard
Wi-Fi in Vietnam is fast and widely available
but it’s not always safe unfortunately
Vietnam is one of the less digitally secure countries
making it easier
for hackers to steal your personal information
on unprotected networks
scammers might even pose as police officers
claiming you’re carrying illegal items
and asking for your passport or card numbers
to pay fake fees to protect yourself
it’s crucial to use a VPN
for example
I’ve been using Surf Shark VPN for many years
not only in Vietnam a VPN changes your IP address
keeping scammers from knowing your exact location
additionally Surf Shark has an antivirus program
to protect you from malware
for your convenience
you can find the link to the VPN services I use
in the description of this video
stay safe online and enjoy your travels without worry
thieves in Vietnam often operate alone or in groups
targeting crowded places like main streets markets
bars and clubs
they look for anyone displaying expensive jewelry
or valuables these thieves may reach into your bag
slash it
or snatch items while speeding by on motorbikes
sometimes they employ more elaborate tactics
such as staging fake accidents to distract you
and then stealing your belongings
to protect yourself
always be aware of your surroundings
and keep your bag or purse in front of you
use an anti theft bag
and split your money and valuables into different
hidden places make copies of important documents
like ID cards and passports
and store them separately
Vietnam is a beautiful country
with its iconic conical hats
and vibrant street vendors
however
be cautious when vendors invite you to take pictures
they might demand payment
or force you to buy overpriced products afterward
this scam isn’t unique to Vietnam
I encountered it not only in Ho Chi Minh City
but also in Delhi, India
to avoid falling victim to this scam
always ask for the price first
before taking any pictures
agree on a price and give the money up front
this way
you can enjoy the experience without any surprises
remember these vendors might look friendly and innocent
but it’s essential to stay vigilant
many travelers rent motorbikes to explore Vietnam
offering a unique and fun way to experience the country
especially along routes like the Ha Giang Loop
however there are some risks involved
some bikes may look in good condition
but have fake or defective components
leading to breakdowns in some cases
owners might even orchestrate thefts of their own bikes
and demand compensation
holding your passport until you pay
to avoid these scams
always choose reliable rental shops
ask for recommendations from your accommodation
thoroughly check the bike before renting
and take photos of it if possible
bring a local friend with you when renting a motorbike
additionally ensure the rental shop offer support
in case the bike breaks down
this is a good sign of their reliability
in tourist areas
you might encounter children selling souvenirs
or people faking disabilities to ask for money
in larger cities
you might see homeless pretending to have disabilities
or carrying babies to exploit your kindness
these scams can be particularly common
in crowded tourist spots
where you might be asked to buy lollipops
flowers or pens
as donations for orphanages
and non profit organizations
giving money to children
can encourage them to quit school
and continue begging as an easy source of income
it’s crucial to avoid incentivising this behaviour
if people approach you asking for money
politely refuse shake your head
avoid eye contact and walk away
these individuals often appear very convincing
and may play on your sympathy
but it’s important to stay firm
overcharging is common in Vietnam
especially in small food stalls
markets and souvenir shops
vendors might take advantage
if you’re unfamiliar with the currency exchange rate
always ask for the price before ordering
or buying anything research online
and
use food review apps to choose reliable restaurants
don’t be afraid to bargain
it can be a fun experience
aim to bargain for at least 50% off the offered price
or go with a local friend
who can help in Vietnam
it’s become so common
that even locals always check their bills
and restaurants carefully before paying
many restaurants are aware of this
and provide an itemized list of dishes you ordered
for you to check and approve
before presenting the final bill
this practice helps ensure transparency
and avoids any disputes
Vietnam boasts some of the best nightlife spots
especially in Ho Chi Minh City
however you should be cautious when partying
there is a well known story of an Australian man
who was scammed with a 45,000 dollar bill
after visiting two bars in Vietnam
according to the article
the staff told him that he didn’t need to enter his PIN
and they couldn’t provide receipts
due to issues with their payment system
in Vietnam
confirming transactions with a PIN code is uncommon
and most transactions are validated with a signature
instead many bars take advantage of you being drunk
and charge unreasonable amounts
make sure to visit reputable bars
recommended by friends and always check the receipts
or prices before signing anything
this is crucial as PIN verification is
not mandatory by many payment providers in Vietnam
additionally scams in nightlife areas like Japan Town
have been covered in one of our previous videos
scammers there often lure tourists into bars
and overcharge them for drinks and services
as inconvenient as it may sound cash is king in Vietnam
cash is king you ever hear that expression
carrying cash can help you avoid potential scams
related to card payments
and ensure you have more control over your spending
so there you have it from sneaky taxi drivers
and overcharging street vendors
to cunning nightlife scams and digital threats
we’ve got you covered
our tips
and personal experiences will help you stay safe
and savvy during your travels
we’ve shared insights on how to avoid these scams
like using reputable taxi services
sticking to reliable booking sites
being cautious with your valuables
and always verifying prices up front
remember in Vietnam
cash is king
and using a VPN can protect your digital identity
if you enjoyed this video and found it useful
give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends
don’t forget to subscribe to the Lazy Nomad channel
for more travel tips and adventures
have you experienced any scams during your travels
share your stories in the comments below
and let us know if you have any questions
thanks for tagging along with Lazy Nomad
until our paths cross again
in the neon lit streets of Southeast Asia
keep exploring but always keep it lazy
goodnight and see you on the next adventure

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