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Vietnam (VN)

Vietnam is a dynamic, rapidly developing Socialist Republic stretching 1,650km down the eastern coast of the Indochinese Peninsula — a country of extraordinary geographical diversity, from the karst mountains of the north and the Red River Delta, through the stunning coastline of the Central region, to the vast Mekong Delta in the south.

Capital: Hanoi
Region: Asia
Language: Vietnamese
Currency: VND (₫)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 22)
Emergency: 113
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Scam Warnings

Common scams targeting expats in Vietnam.

Vietnam has a low rate of violent crime against foreigners, but financial scams targeting tourists and expats are common — particularly in Hanoi Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem area, Bui Vien Street (HCMC), and Ben Thanh Market. The most physically dangerous risk is motorbike snatch theft: bag, phone, and camera snatching by riders is the most frequently reported crime against foreigners in HCMC and Hanoi. Most scams are non-violent and opportunistic. Vietnam is NOT in SEPA; EU consumer protections do not apply. Police: 113. Ambulance: 115. Tourist hotline: 1800 599 920 (free). Cybercrime reporting: canhbao.ncsc.gov.vn (National Cyber Security Center). Vietnam Competition Commission (VCC): en.vcc.gov.vn. A new Cybersecurity Law passed December 2025 takes effect July 2026.

Motorbike snatch theft (bag, phone, camera snatching)

critical

The most frequently reported crime against foreigners in Vietnam, especially in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Hanoi. Thieves on motorbikes — often operating in pairs, one driving and one grabbing — snatch phones, handbags, cameras, and jewellery from pedestrians. Victims walking near busy roads, crossing streets, or sitting in open-air cafés are primary targets. Injuries occur when victims resist or when the bag strap catches. Bui Vien (HCMC), Ben Thanh area, Nguyen Hue, Hanoi Old Quarter are all high-risk zones.

How to spot it
  • - Motorbike slows or circles near you while you are using your phone on the street
  • - Approaching rider from behind or from a blind side
  • - High-traffic tourist pedestrian zones after dark, when crowd density provides cover
  • - Carrying phone visibly in your hand while walking near a road
  • - Bag worn on the road-side shoulder
What to do: Keep phone in your pocket when not in use. Hold bags on the building-side shoulder, not toward traffic. Avoid using your phone while standing on a roadside. Do not wear visible jewellery. If your bag is snatched, do not chase or resist (risk of being dragged). Report to police (113) with your passport number and serial numbers of stolen devices for insurance claims.

Fake taxi (Taxi Nhái) and airport taxi overcharge

critical

Unlicensed taxis or near-identical imitations of Vinasun (green) and Mai Linh (white/green) branded taxis operate at airports, major tourist areas, and bus stations. They use tampered meters running at 3–10× the correct rate, or quote inflated fixed fares. Noi Bai (Hanoi) and Tan Son Nhat (HCMC) airports have both had persistent fake taxi problems.

How to spot it
  • - Taxi approaches you proactively — approaches you in the arrivals hall rather than waiting in the designated queue
  • - Driver refuses to use the meter or offers only "special fixed price"
  • - Logo or branding looks slightly different from genuine Vinasun or Mai Linh livery
  • - Meter starts unusually high (above ₫15,000) or moves exceptionally fast
  • - No official company registration sticker on the door or window
What to do: Use Grab exclusively at airports and in tourist areas — price is fixed before booking. If using a metered taxi: use only Vinasun (HCMC) or Mai Linh confirmed by door registration. Note the licence plate number. If overcharged: refuse to overpay and contact the tourist hotline at 1800 599 920 (free) or police (113).

Pig-butchering cryptocurrency investment scam

critical

Vietnam has been identified as a major target and operational base for pig-butchering (sha zhu pan) investment fraud, with operations linked to Southeast Asian criminal networks. A new online contact — met via dating apps, Facebook, or Instagram — builds a romantic or friendly relationship over weeks before introducing a "private" crypto trading opportunity. Fake platform dashboards show large profits to encourage larger deposits until the "platform" is frozen.

How to spot it
  • - New online contact moves the conversation quickly from the original platform to WhatsApp or Telegram
  • - Recommended "investment platform" cannot be found on legitimate app stores and is not a regulated exchange
  • - Unusually high monthly returns shown: 10–50%
  • - Any withdrawal attempt triggers demands for additional "tax," "commission," or "verification deposit"
  • - Contact becomes evasive or aggressive when questioned about withdrawals
What to do: Never invest in any platform introduced by someone you have not met in person. Only use established regulated exchanges (Binance, Coinbase). Report to cybercrime police at canhbao.ncsc.gov.vn and call police (113). The US DOJ seized USD 14+ billion in Bitcoin from a Cambodia-based pig-butchering network in October 2025 — these operations are still active across Southeast Asia.

Currency confusion and counterfeit ₫500,000 notes

critical

Vietnam's banknotes range from ₫10,000 to ₫500,000 and can look superficially similar. Scammers, taxi drivers, and some market vendors exploit newcomers by giving wrong change or passing counterfeit ₫500,000 notes (blue polymer). Counterfeit notes circulate especially in tourist markets.

How to spot it
  • - ₫500,000 (sky blue) vs ₫20,000 (indigo blue) — these are commonly confused; learn the note colours before arrival
  • - Note colours for reference: ₫10,000 (red), ₫20,000 (blue-indigo), ₫50,000 (pink), ₫100,000 (green), ₫200,000 (reddish-brown), ₫500,000 (sky blue)
  • - Counterfeit ₫500,000 notes feel lighter and lack the genuine polymer texture or security thread
  • - Vendor insists the ₫200,000 note you gave was actually ₫20,000
What to do: Count change before leaving any transaction. Keep different denomination notes separated in your wallet. For suspected counterfeit notes: refuse them and request replacement. Report confirmed counterfeits to police (113). Withdraw VND only from bank ATMs where counterfeit risk is minimal.

Gem / jewellery investment redirect scam

critical

Multi-person coordinated scam common in Hanoi Old Quarter and HCMC tourist zones. A friendly local strikes up conversation and eventually leads you to a "family gem business" offering special export or resale prices. Gems are fake, heavily overvalued, or switched after payment. Losses range from USD 500 to USD 50,000+.

How to spot it
  • - Unexpected extreme friendliness from a stranger who then offers to show you "local secrets" or take you to a special shop
  • - Story involves government connection, special export opportunity, or a "one-day" price
  • - Multiple people corroborate the same story (orchestrated)
  • - Pressure to decide quickly
  • - Location is a private business not found on Google Maps or standard tourist listings
What to do: Walk away from any unsolicited "investment" approach from a stranger. Never purchase gems as investment from a cold approach. Decline all invitations to shops or businesses from people you have just met. If you paid: report to tourist hotline 1800 599 920 and file a complaint at the nearest police station.

Xe ôm (motorbike taxi) and cyclo overcharging

warning

Informal motorbike taxi drivers (xe ôm) and bicycle rickshaw drivers (cyclo) in tourist areas routinely quote 10–20× the local rate for foreigners, then aggressively demand more at the destination. Some use threats or guilt to extract payment beyond any agreed amount.

How to spot it
  • - Driver approaches proactively and offers "very cheap" price before you ask
  • - No meter — all pricing is verbal and subject to change
  • - Mid-journey attempt to renegotiate the fare
  • - Demands extra for "waiting time" or "luggage" not previously mentioned
What to do: Use Grab for all motorbike or car transport — fixed price, GPS-tracked, no negotiation. If using a cyclo: agree the price explicitly in writing or via the driver's phone before moving, confirm it is per person per trip, and pay only the agreed amount on arrival.

Property and Red Book (Sổ Hồng) fraud

critical

Foreign buyers have been defrauded through: fake Red Books (Sổ Hồng) presented for properties with hidden encumbrances; sellers who do not hold legal authority to sell; properties sold simultaneously to multiple buyers; and brokers with undisclosed conflicts of interest. Foreign ownership of Vietnamese property is restricted to 30% of units in any building — breaching this limit renders the purchase void.

How to spot it
  • - Agent discourages independent verification at the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (Sở TNMT)
  • - Pressure to pay a deposit quickly before due diligence is complete
  • - Price significantly below comparable market value
  • - Seller cannot produce the original Red Book for in-person inspection
  • - Only a photocopy of the Red Book is available
  • - Foreign ownership quota in the building is not clearly stated
What to do: NEVER pay a deposit without independently verifying the Red Book at the provincial TNMT office. Hire your own Vietnamese property lawyer (not the agent's recommendation). Pay any deposit into a lawyer's escrow account, not directly to the seller. Confirm the foreign ownership quota has not been reached before proceeding.

"Free" drinks / tea / food with hidden bill

warning

In tourist areas (Hanoi Old Quarter beer street, Bui Vien HCMC), vendors offer "free" tea, coffee, or food samples. After consuming, an outrageous bill is presented with intimidation. A related scam: shoe-shine services quote a low price for "polish" and then present itemised charges for materials, totalling 20–50× the agreed amount.

How to spot it
  • - Proactive offering of food or drink with no menu or price posted
  • - Vendor insists it is "free sample" or "no charge"
  • - Shoe-shine: only the cost of "polish" is quoted upfront, "materials" added later
  • - Bill presented in an aggressive or intimidating manner
What to do: Do not accept free food or services from unknown vendors in tourist areas. For shoe shines: agree a total fixed price before starting and pay only that amount. If presented with an outrageous bill: calmly offer fair market value, mention you are calling the tourist hotline (1800 599 920), or involve police (113).

Bank phishing / OTP theft (Vietcombank, VPBank, BIDV)

critical

Scammers impersonate Vietnamese bank staff by phone, SMS, or fake websites — requesting OTP codes, account numbers, and passwords under the pretexts of suspicious-transaction alerts, account verification, or prize notifications. Fake customer service appears on Facebook and Zalo, particularly targeting expats who rely on these channels.

How to spot it
  • - Unsolicited call from "bank" asking for OTP or login credentials
  • - SMS from an unfamiliar number with bank logo and embedded link
  • - Facebook page or Zalo account asking you to verify banking details
  • - Urgency: "your account will be frozen in 24 hours if not verified"
  • - Link in message does not end in the bank's verified domain (e.g. vietcombank.com.vn)
What to do: NEVER share OTPs, passwords, or account numbers by phone, SMS, or social media — no legitimate bank will ask for these. Hang up immediately. Call your bank's official hotline (on the back of your card). Report to the bank and to canhbao.ncsc.gov.vn (Vietnam's cybercrime portal).

Bar and restaurant overcharging scam ("hostess bar" bill shock)

warning

In some tourist nightlife areas, particularly in HCMC (Bui Vien) and Hanoi, customers are encouraged by friendly staff or "hostesses" to order rounds or items not on the standard menu. Bills arrive at prices 10–50× what was implied. Intimidation or threats are used to ensure payment.

How to spot it
  • - You were invited in from the street by commission-based touts
  • - No visible prices on the menu, or prices are in a "special menu" brought only with the bill
  • - "Free" rounds were offered by staff or companions
  • - Bill includes vague "service charges" or items you do not recognise
What to do: Always check a menu with visible prices before sitting. Confirm prices of any additional items before ordering. If presented with an inflated bill: pay what is reasonable, note the business details, and report to the tourist hotline (1800 599 920) or local police (113).

Reporting

Where to report: Police: 113. Ambulance: 115. Tourist hotline (free): 1800 599 920. Cybercrime reporting: canhbao.ncsc.gov.vn (National Cyber Security Center / NCSC). Vietnam Competition Commission (VCC): en.vcc.gov.vn. State Bank of Vietnam for financial fraud: sbv.gov.vn. Ministry of Public Security: bocongan.gov.vn.

Consumer helpline: Tourist hotline: 1800 599 920 (free, daily). Police: 113. Ambulance: 115. Cybercrime (NCSC): canhbao.ncsc.gov.vn. Vietnam Competition Commission (VCC): en.vcc.gov.vn. State Bank of Vietnam: sbv.gov.vn.