Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Hải Dương, Hải Dương, Vietnam

All Topics about Hải Dương All Cities in Vietnam

1. Motorbike Taxi Scam

Unscrupulous motorbike taxi drivers overcharging tourists. To avoid, agree on a price before starting the journey.

Fixed Price Agreement: Avoids misunderstandings about the fare
Local Rates: Knowing local taxi rates can help you negotiate fairly.
Trusted Providers: Using reputable companies or recommendations from locals can prevent scams.

Receiving counterfeit Vietnamese Dong in change. Inspect money carefully and only exchange at banks or reputable stores.

Inspection: Close examination of notes to spot inconsistencies.
Banks and Reputable Stores: Exchanging money at safe locations reduces the risk.
Use ATMs Carefully: Be cautious when using ATMs, especially in isolated areas.

Dishonest tour guides leading you to overpriced stores or offering fake tours. Research tour companies and ask for recommendations.

Reputable Companies: Choosing reliable tour operators ensures a trustworthy experience.
Ask Locals or Online Reviews: Seeking recommendations from locals and reading online reviews can help you choose a good guide.
Pre-plan Your Itinerary: Having a pre-planned itinerary helps avoid unwanted detours or stopovers.

Hotels overcharging tourists for rooms. Book accommodation through reputable platforms or negotiate prices.

Book Through Reputable Platforms: Booking through recognized online booking sites can ensure fair prices.
Negotiating Directly: Direct negotiations with hotel managers can result in better deals.
Ask for Special Rates or Discounts: Inquiring about special rates or discounts, especially for extended stays.

Overpriced or contaminated street food. Stick to busy, popular food stalls and avoid eating at deserted locations.

Popular Food Stalls: Choosing busy, well-attended food stalls increases the likelihood of good food.
Avoid Deserted Locations: Steer clear of deserted or shady areas to eat street food.
Recommendations from Locals: Asking locals for recommendations can lead you to the best street food.

Scammers offering 'genuine gold' jewelry at low prices. Research local gold market rates and verify authenticity.

Know Local Gold Market Rates: Understanding the current gold prices in Hải Dương can help you avoid overpaying.
Gold Authenticity Verification: Verifying the authenticity of gold jewelry is crucial to avoid being scammed.
Shop at Reputable Stores or Markets: Choosing reputable shops and markets reduces the risk of encountering scammers.

Overpriced restaurants that target tourists. Ask locals for recommendations or stick to popular eateries.

Ask Locals for Recommendations: Locals can direct you to affordable, delicious eateries.
Stick to Popular Eateries: Busy restaurants are more likely to offer decent food at fair prices.
Research Restaurants Beforehand: Reading reviews and researching restaurants can help you make informed choices.

Friendly locals who offer help but lead you to scams. Be cautious when accepting help from strangers.

Caution with Strangers: Being wary of overly friendly strangers can prevent potential scams.
Verify Information and Advice: Verifying information from strangers is crucial before taking action.
Trust Your Gut Feeling: If something feels off, trust your instincts and avoid the situation.

Fraudulent transportation ticket sellers or overpriced tickets. Purchase tickets from authorized vendors or stations.

Authorized Vendors or Stations: Official transportation outlets ensure authenticity and fair prices.
Research Transportation Costs: Understanding the standard costs for transportation can help you avoid overpaying.
Ask for Help if Unsure: Don't hesitate to ask locals or staff for assistance if unsure.

Overpriced or counterfeit souvenirs. Research prices and shop at reputable stores.

Research Souvenir Prices: Knowing the typical prices for souvenirs helps you avoid overpaying.
Shop at Reputable Stores: Choosing reputable stores reduces the risk of encountering scammers.
Negotiate Prices: Haggling can help you secure better deals on souvenirs.

Service providers demanding excessive prices for their services. Research service costs and negotiate fair prices.

Research Service Costs: Understanding the standard costs for various services helps you avoid overpaying.
Negotiate Prices: Haggling can help you secure better deals on services.
Ask for Recommendations: Seeking recommendations from locals can lead you to trusted service providers.

Skimming devices installed on ATMs to steal your card information. Use ATMs located at banks or reputable businesses.

ATMs at Banks or Reputable Businesses: Official ATMs in banks and reputable businesses have better security.
Cover Your PIN: Covering your PIN while entering it can prevent others from seeing it.
Monitor Your Account Regularly: Regularly monitoring your account helps you spot any unauthorized transactions.

Online booking platforms charging inflated prices for accommodations. Compare prices on multiple platforms and read reviews.

Compare Prices on Multiple Platforms: Comparing prices across various online booking sites can help you find the best deal.
Read Reviews: Reading reviews from previous guests helps you make informed choices.
Check for Discounts or Promotions: Look for special offers, discounts, or promotions to save money on accommodations.

Selling counterfeit goods at local markets. Verify the authenticity of items before purchasing.

Verify Authenticity of Items: Inspecting items for signs of poor quality or inconsistencies can help identify counterfeits.
Research Item Prices: Knowing the typical prices for goods helps you avoid overpaying for counterfeits.
Shop at Reputable Stores or Markets: Choosing reputable shops and markets reduces the risk of encountering scammers.

Someone 'finding' your lost item and asking for a reward. Keep valuable items safe or use hotel safes.

Keep Valuable Items Safe: Carrying only essentials reduces the risk of losing valuables.
Use Hotel Safes: Hotel safes provide a secure place for your belongings.
Report Lost Items to Authorities: Reporting lost items to authorities increases the chances of recovery.