Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Thanh Hóa, Thanh Hóa, Vietnam

All Topics about Thanh Hóa All Cities in Vietnam

1. Counterfeit Currency Scam

Be wary of fake Vietnamese Dong bills in crowded tourist areas. Check the quality and feel of the bill.

Knowledge of Authentic Vietnamese Currency: Understanding the texture, size, and design of genuine Vietnamese currency.
Awareness in Busy Areas: Recognizing that busy tourist spots may have scammers attempting to pass off fake bills.
Trustworthy Exchange Points: Utilize reputable exchange offices or banks for currency exchanges.

Taxi drivers may overcharge tourists or use a faulty meter. Agree on the fare before starting the journey.

Negotiating Fare Beforehand: Discussing and agreeing on the price before entering the taxi.
Awareness of Faulty Meters: Recognizing when a meter may be malfunctioning or rigged.
Using Reputable Taxis: Choosing well-known taxi companies with identifiable vehicles and reputations for honesty.

Some tour guides may provide misleading information or take tourists to overpriced locations. Research and book tours with reputable companies.

Reputable Tour Companies: Choosing tour agencies with positive reviews, clear policies, and licensed guides.
Pre-planned Itineraries: Having a pre-arranged itinerary to avoid last-minute changes or additions.
Research and Comparison: Comparing tour options, prices, and itineraries from different companies before booking.

Some restaurants may serve subpar food or drinks or inflate prices for tourists. Look for popular, well-reviewed establishments.

Positive Reviews and Recommendations: Checking online reviews and asking locals for recommendations.
Local Cuisine Specialization: Choosing restaurants known for their local dishes and authenticity.
Fair Prices: Comparing prices with other establishments to ensure they are reasonable.

Sellers may offer low-quality gold at inflated prices or claim it is real gold. Research and compare prices before purchasing.

Knowledge of Gold Prices: Being aware of the current market price for gold.
Visiting Reputable Jewelers: Buying from established jewelers with good reviews and a selection of certified gold items.
Checking the Quality: Inspecting the gold for authenticity, weight, and purity before making a purchase.

Landlords may offer subpar accommodations or overcharge for rent. Research the property and compare prices before booking.

Online Reviews and Ratings: Checking online reviews, ratings, and photos of rental properties.
Comparing Prices: Comparing prices for similar rentals in the same area to ensure fairness.
Visiting the Property Beforehand: Inspecting the property before committing to a rental agreement.

Scammers may approach tourists offering winnings from fake lotteries. Ignore these offers and report any suspicious activity.

Avoiding Unsolicited Offers: Refusing unsolicited offers or approaches that seem too good to be true.
Reporting Suspicious Activity: Informing local authorities of any suspicious activity involving lotteries or sweepstakes.
Staying Informed About Local Laws: Understanding the local laws regarding lottery participation and winnings.

Locals may approach tourists pretending to be friendly, offering assistance, and then asking for money. Be cautious of unsolicited help or attention.

Awareness of Unsolicited Assistance: Recognizing when someone is offering unwarranted assistance.
Maintaining Personal Belongings: Keeping personal belongings secure and close at hand.
Ignoring Requests for Money: Politely declining any requests for money or assistance from strangers.

Some shops may offer fake SIM cards or overcharge for them. Purchase SIM cards from reputable providers.

Reputable Providers: Buying SIM cards from well-known and reputable telecommunications companies.
Avoiding Street Vendors: Not purchasing SIM cards from street vendors or unofficial retailers.
Checking the Quality of the SIM Card: Ensuring the SIM card is genuine and properly functioning before leaving the store.

Some street food vendors may use subpar ingredients or overcharge tourists. Research popular and safe street food locations.

Popular and Safe Street Food Locations: Visiting well-known, safe, and popular street food areas with good reviews.
Inspection of Food Preparation: Checking the cleanliness and preparation methods of the food before consumption.
Asking for Recommendations: Asking locals for recommendations on good street food vendors.

Sellers may offer talcum powder as a free gift to entice tourists to their shop. Only accept talcum powder if it is explicitly offered for free.

Understanding the Offer: Recognizing when talcum powder is being offered as a genuine gift or a ruse.
Avoiding Unsolicited Gifts: Declining unsolicited gifts, especially those that require payment or personal information.
Staying Alert in Markets: Remaining aware of your surroundings and potential scams while shopping in markets.

Scammers may find a tourist's lost item and return it with a request for payment or personal information. Keep important items secure.

Securing Important Items: Keeping important items such as passports, wallets, and phones secured.
Not Providing Personal Information: Refusing to provide personal information or payment when a lost item is returned.
Informing Authorities of Lost Items: Reporting lost items to local authorities immediately.

Tourists may be overcharged for tickets or merchandise related to the Golden Bridge. Research prices before visiting.

Pre-planning and Research: Researching ticket prices, opening hours, and other details of the attraction.
Avoiding Unofficial Sellers: Not purchasing merchandise from unauthorized vendors outside the official attraction area.
Checking Official Websites: Visiting the official website of the attraction for accurate information and prices.

Some bus ticket sellers may offer overpriced or subpar tickets. Research reliable bus companies before traveling.

Reputable Bus Companies: Choosing well-known and reputable bus companies with good reviews.
Pre-planning and Research: Researching ticket prices, schedules, and routes of the chosen bus company.
Avoiding Street Vendors: Not purchasing tickets from street vendors or unofficial retailers.

Some ATMs may skim card information or charge high fees. Use ATMs located inside banks or reputable businesses.

Inside Bank or Reputable Business ATMs: Using ATMs located inside banks or reputable businesses for security and fee avoidance.
Monitoring Account Activity: Regularly monitoring account activity to detect any unauthorized transactions.
Using Card Protections: Utilizing card protection services such as fraud alerts and notifications.