I totally understood and sympathised with your experience. I was there last Dec 2023 as well and I got ripped off too. Fully watched and subscribed your channel from Sydney - Australia too.
Hi Mimi! Thank you for your comment and subscribing to my channel! I’m sorry you had a bad experience in Sapa also, I hope the rest of your vietnam trip was better!
I'm sorry to admit it but I was secretly happy that I am not the only one who occasionally finds themself in crappy situations despite the best laid plans.
That was a great honest review. This is probably how it is in most of SE Asia. Most people make these towns and countries a paradise and praise that people are simple and honest, and compare it with US and put down US unfortunately..
I"ve visited Sapa on four separate occasions and have loved every visit. As a female, solo traveller, I could not have felt safer. Vietnam is a very safe country in general and its a real shame you had a negative experience.
Girl, I was here cackling. I am in Da Nang now, heading to Sapa next week. I will definitely keep my eyes open for red flags like these. That cab driver was messy as hell, and you speak the language!! I don’t know how that would have gone down with me because all I can say is hello, thank you and barely good morning in Vietnamese lol. And that tourguide, I don’t think she liked you because wow….you did say some of this was an expensive experiment so I hope you learned. Lol. One of my own lessons is to just book when I’m in the city, I only use guides for activities. Anyways, I love your transparency. I’m subbing :)
Everywhere in the world local people try to scam tourists. I travelled a lot in my life and faced many scammers too, i always told them guys I am a tourist visiting your country not a walking ATM machine that you think can just extract cash out of it. Honnesty will bring you more businesses in the future but scammers will kill out your bread winner in the future.
We just came back from SaPa and it was fine. Yes there are a few pushy motorbike taxi drivers lying about distances, women selling mass produced souvenirs and kids trying to sell you keyrings. But apart from that it's super easy to avoid obvious scams.
first, i am so sorry for what you went through! 2nd, thankful I got to see this video/review before I went and booked my expectations away. been keen on Sapa for a good minute, at least this gives me the cons as I have only ever seen pros about it so far. safe travels!
Thank you for sharing your experience and tips. I felt sorry for all the commotions which you have been through in Sapa. Things like that can really irritate you and can ruin your vacation.
I am sorry for your experience. I planned to visit there this coming September, I found your video while doing research on Sapa. Now I understand why tourism there isn't doing good
i love how you always calm in handling every stressful situations cause i would've cried, you has changed my perspective and thank you for sharing this video !!
Watched, clicked the like button (didn't "like" what you experienced) and subscribed. Had some flash-backs of our last trip to Vietnam in 2000 with my girlfriend, now wife. Next trip back with our 2 teens is 2025! My Father-in-law is from Hue, small world! I know much of Vietnam has greatly improved in how they treat tourists, sad to see so many in Sapa haven't yet. We'll be sure to keep our guard up!
Hi Matt! Thank you for your comment. Vietnam has changed a lot since 2000, and it’s great to see how much it’s growing. I visit almost every year and have never had an experience like the one I did in Sapa, might have just been bad luck. I hope you and your family have an amazing time in Vietnam!
I took the VVIP limousine from Hanoi (around USD40 to USD60, cannot remember) but it was super comfy. But on the way back to Hanoi, as there were empty seats, the driver picked up strangers from the toll booth. I do not mind, but the couple who sat behind me were so loud and rude...they put their feet on my armrest. When I complaint, they just ignored me and spoke in their language. It was also near to TET and they brought a lot of things. I was not happy and lodged a report after I arrived in Hanoi. The company refunded me the return trip.
Maybe if you didn’t spend all that money on fendi scarf you should have spent top dollar on touring specialist instead of trying to look like you have money. FOH But hey. I gave you a like. 👍. Honestly I like this video and your opinion I’m going to vist soon. Thanks for the info
I recently spent 3 weeks living in Sa Pa, and whilst yes you will encounter people who will probably try to rip you off or scam you, the same can be said for the rest of Vietnam and many other countries in Asia for that matter. So for people saying they probably wont visit Sa Pa for these reasons, maybe avoid Asia, it's probably not for you. 😊 I feel like perhaps you didn't do your research, because during the my 3 weeks in Sa Pa I spent roughly $300 usd and had accommodation at good hotels, ate at great restaurants, was invited to eat with locals and their families, and spent some time to explore some of the lesser touristy spots around Sa Pa. I'll agree it can be frusterating being followed around all day asking if I want to go trekking or buy stuff, but you just have to keep saying no. Take the time to ask the locals how much things usually cost. What's the local price for taxi, bike, tours etc. A bit of research goes a long way. I would encourage you to give Sa Pa another chance in the future 😊🙏
Subbed after this great no holes barred review of your experience in Sapa it really reflects bad on a country as a whole when dody people try to scam tourists
Thank you for sharing this. As a Viet Kieu myself, this kind of experience is good to know. My dad's friend's daughter went to sapa recently and loved it, but she was born and raised in Vietnam, so.. that is different from being Viet Kieu. Many/most Vietnamese people who live in Vietnam treat Viet Kieu as foreigners. Usually, it's fine (eg paying a dollar for a sandwich instead of 50 cents) but leaving you literally out in the cold is just...really "Un-Vietnamese".
This made me feel better I had similar experience and I am eager to leave Sapa now I feel I got ripped off a lot with tours and taxis. I was expecting a better experience because other videos don’t show this side of Sapa. Thank you.
T.T oh my goodness i am so sorry all these events happened one after another. I'm glad it's over, and honestly thank you so, so much for publishing this video and helping us future/prospective Sapa travellers! God bless you, and hope you can enjoy MUCH better travel experiences in the future 🧡🧡
Such a shame for such a beautiful city. I hope they will change on how they treat foreigners in Sapa. I’m sure not everyone is like that there, it’s just my luck I met not so nice ones.
Sorry to hear you had a bad experience it Sapa. I just left Sapa 3 days ago and had a totally different experience to you. I found everyone to be very honest and friendly.
Hello, I like your video. Its so authentic. By the way, Which month were you travelling in? It looks too cold and i am planning a trip so want to be prepared.
I just subscribed to your channel❣ thank you for all the heads up we and family are planning to visit Vietnam and hopefully we will not come across the people who have scammed you. Good luck on your next vlog. GOD BLESS🙏👍👍
Thank you! I learned a lot from you. I was in Sapa in February 2024 and had a much better experience. However, I was disappointed in the homestay my Vietnamese lady friend selected. although it was in the city it was up a very steep hillside and we had to climb about 50 steps to get to the actual room. If I ever return to Sapa it will be during the warmer months because like you, mostly all I saw was fog.
And I learned early on to avoid taxis as much as possible and take Grab cars and motorbikes because the fare is paid electronically in advance and not a single one of the Grab drivers tried to cheat me. if I absolutely had to take a taxi I chose only VinaSun or Mailyn because most of them are honest.
I am surprised that you were taken advantage so often. I was in Sapa for a week in 1993 and another week 5 years ago. Everyone was very friendly and we were never cheated. I must admit I don't like Sapa these days,much better 30 years ago when it was a tiny village only 2 places to stay and the hill tribes could not speak a word of English
Thank you for sharing your experience. Precious lessons from this as I plan to go to Sapa soon. I guess I will stick to Hotels, ride via Grab and tours in Klook then.
Thank you for your comment. Grab is a little difficult to get, if it’s under 100k vnd, they won’t come. My hotel called the taxi I was in, so just beware of taxi even if it’s recommended by your hotel.
Woah!!! Thank you for sharing this awful experience you had at Sapa. Was thinking of heading there w my lil boy. Shall think twice now. It's amazing how you kept so cool thru out! I would hv been enraged. Thank you again for sharing!
Hi! Thank you for your comment. It was definitely a challenge to keep my cool, I tried not to let the frustration show in the video. If you decide to visit Sapa, I hope you and your little one have a wonderful time! Just a heads-up, Sapa isn’t particularly kid-friendly, as there are not many places that are especially enjoyable for children.
Would highly recommend visiting Sa Pa, not everyones experience is the same. I had the best 3 weeks in Sa Pa this year and was my second time visiting. It's an amazing town 😁 But not much for children to do there, so keep that in mind. 😊
I just canceled my 2 days trip to sapa and extend my Hanoi stay after watching this. I go on vacations to relax and take a break from my stressful job, this looked like adding more stress. NOPE, I'm not taking a 6 hours bus ride to argue with scammers all day long. Thanks for sharing.
Sapa is so beautiful and relaxing especially Fansipan… take the sleeper bus of HK Buslines at 20 US dollars. It’s the best way to travel to Sapa from/to Hanoi or Noi Bai airport plus they have a provided another van to pick you up from your hanoi hotel or at the airport then drop you off at your Sapa hotel, and vice versa. Fansipan is relaxing and breathtaking on a good weather and Moana is kitschy but very nice if you like taking souvenir photos. Skip CatCat Village. Book Via Klook and/or Agoda and you’ll be fine.
Thanks for exposing the dishonesty of travel/tourist services in Sapa that people need to watch out for. Cảm ơn bạn đã ghi lại những bẫy lừa (chặt chém) mà người đi du lịch Sapa cần biết .
I was there Sept 2023. I taught by speaking the language you would have advantage. I also stayed 9km away from Sapa town. It was a great place but the only prob having to stay that out is the food. Costly Ave 150k to 250k per meal.no choice but to eat there taxi I think I paid 100000 plus. But aside from tat it was great outdoor view, I think it's OK but I wasn't expecting it to be x2 or x3 from food in hanoi
Fab video. I’m going to Sapa next February, I’ve been before at that time and so I know what to expect from the weather. It was one of the best travel experiences ever, in spite of all the discomfort. I’m going on to Ha Giang from there to do the loop with RoadKings, maybe I’ll book a bus myself, if there is a better option. I’m going to stay in a hotel in the town, not a homestay.
@@iamseryen Great! What are the contact details? I want to do a day bus from Hanoi to Sapa and then on to Ha Giang, then to Ninh Binh at the end of the loop. I haven’t been to Vietnam for quite a few years, although I’ve been to SE Asia 3very year except for during Covid.
@@rachel.please3929 this is his contact info, tell him Serena refers you and he will take care of you. Anh Hoang: Whatsapp +84 943038688 Hope you have a wonderful time in vietnam!
tSeryen, thanks very much for sharing your bad experience. It must have been very frustrating to go tYes, through all that. Imagine to be let down after all the planning you did to include Sapa in your trip. I would have cried with frustration and stressed out. Even with your ability to speak Vietnamese, they still scammed you. How much more would they do to a foreigner? But I'm glad you had enjoyed your last hotel in Sapa excluding the incident of the stained towel. I like how articulate you were in describing your bad and horrible experience. Thank you.
Man, you're such a brilliant woman. Despite such a shitty XP and feeling as bad as you were, you could just smile and laugh it off. Really inspiring. My wife and I will be very vigilant.
I'm from Morocco and I've already planned my vacation to Hanoi on next April 2025. I knew very few things about vietnam until I've met some coworkers from there who later became my closest friends. I was amazed by their human values and how great human beings they are. Sapa is in my todo-list and I certainly don't wan't to get into this situation. It's amazing that some people there would dare to scam even their own coutrymen. But they are not going to stop me from visiting what has become my country by heart. Do you recommand that I plan something with a travel agency ? Thank you for this very informative video.
Hi! Vietnam is my favorite country to visit, but I put all my trust on one tour guide and that’s where I went wrong. If I were to visit again, I would look up a hotel close to the center of the city, this one looks really good: Hotel de la Coupole- MGallery They will have tours and recommendations, you can message them ahead of time if you book with Agoda and arrange for pick up, tours, etc.
Hi George. Sapa is a beautiful place. If you end up going, just be cautious and do more research on what you want to do and how to get around. Taxi is easier to find than Grab, but they will take advantage of foreigners.
As a Vietnamese who grew up in the west, i feel for U girl. I hate been treated like a mug. Unfortunately its just a sad part of society these days. Love Ur content by the way.😊😊😊
Thank you so much for your support and kind words! It’s comforting to know others understand that feeling. Sadly, it does happen, but I try to focus on the positives of every experience. I really appreciate you watching and enjoying my content, it means a lot! ❤️
wow thanks for this video. I am planning to make a trip to SAPA next month. This is certainly an eye opener. My trip to Danang/Hoi An was pretty straightforward and never once were there people who tried to scam us. I should be very wreary when I make my way to SAPA..................
I praise you for being brave to travel there by yourself based on FB unknown-based friends. It's a good thing that you speak the language and made it thru 😮😮😮.
Sapa is one of my favourite place in Vietnam. i am feeling sad for you :( .... I visited sapa in Feb this year and my trip went smooth. i booked from travel agency $80 for two nights, accommodation, food, transport in sapa, Guide and round return trip sleeper bus to Hanoi.... the weather was so beautiful totally cleared.... that's why i got chance to visit Fancipan which was amazing. Please note the fancipan ticket was not included ....
Hi, this was in late January, and the temperatures ranged from about 20°F (-6°C) to 30°F (-1°C). I’d recommend packing thick layers, a warm coat, gloves, a scarf, and a beanie to stay comfortable.
Hi! Thank you for your comment. The weather might be bad in December, but if you go, at least you know what to be cautious of. Hope you have a wonderful trip!
I will be in Sa Pa this month and I'll be staying for 3days after Hanoi. I'm a solo traveler and thank you for your video. Hope I will have a smooth experience.
I got scammed by Hmong women in Sapa who took me to a hotel by jumping a fence (they found us when we were hiking). Then they exploited our situation by forcing us to buy stuff or report us for "trespassing". The resort was also in this act, and I saw them ferry the Hmong women back uphill on the golf-karts.
Just subscribed and thank you for sharing what u've experienced in Sapa as i'm really planning to go there next year. huhu. i'm scared now since i don't know how to speak vietnamese. are there budget hotels near catcat village? can u hire a motorcycle right away or thru apps?
Hi! Thank you for watching, commenting, and subscribing! Don’t be scared! You don’t need to speak Vietnamese, most people in Sapa will understand English and you can use google translate to communicate if they do not. There are budget hotels near cat cat village, I recommend using Agoda to book hotels. It will give you the address of the hotel and you can check how far it is from things you want to do. Cat Cat village is a little far from the city center, so you will need to get a bike or taxi, and taxi was one of the hardest thing to get in Sapa because they won’t come if you use Grab App. If I were to do Sapa over again, I would find a private driver and make a deal with them to take me around.
Yeah sadly my best experience was a full day in Phu Quoc on the cable car. One price included everyting and good value. No one tried to hassle me the whole time. Plus the kissing bridge at sunset wow!
We had the same experience like you both times we visited Vietnam. The tours we booked over promised and under deliver. They would have add on along the way and the guide would berate you for not taking the upgrade. The so called bullet train from Hanoi to sapa turned out to be a slow train with people camping out along the walkway! The tour operators will not know the damage they are doing to the tourism of Vietnam. I dun think we would ever visit Vietnam again!
You are corrected. You should do your research before your trip. Also, what you paid is what you get.we went to SAPA in October 2022 and have no issues since we check the weather, got the limousine van with the captain chair, pre-booked our hotel and so on. Why did you wait until you get there to book the hotel?
@michaelnguyen1597 I originally was going to stay with my tour guide for 3D2N, I trusted my guide to come up with the itinerary after I gave her a list of what I wanted to do. Unfortunately that did not happened. I also checked the weather before coming to Sapa and knew it was going to be foggy but the tour guide insisted it will be ok. I trusted the wrong person for this trip and that ruined the whole experience for me.
Oh my goodness, honey so sorry for your bad experience. I was there last year with one of my sister from another mother and they also tried to scam us, but that’s a no go for them. We knew better lol. When you’re in Sapa, or any where for that matter, someone will always try to scam you. We had an amazing three days there. Thank goodness we had beautiful weather when we were there. I did a lot of hiking all the way to the top peak.🥵 When dealing with the locals before you get inside their car make sure you reconfirm their price, ask for the price and record them on video as they’re telling you, so you don’t have to waste your time argumenting with them. It’s not about the money, to my it’s about the principal that they are not honest. Knowing me, I cannot argue with them, because I don’t know much, Vietnamese. But I will definitely argue with them in English😂. I will only pay for what I ask for on my Grab apps. And if they’re nice, I will definitely give them a tips, but if they’re not then forget it. When traveling I don’t trust nobody 😂 hope you had a better experience in Hanoi, We had a blast there and also HaLong Bay too. Better luck next time😊
your own people let you down. i would scold them and say hey, help me we're the same people. but i enjoyed your attitude and perspective through it all so i liked and subcribed
Thank for the head up. I’m taking my kids and wife to SaPa for a couple days in December 24. Any recommendations for a places to visit? & where to stay?
I honestly don’t recommend any of the hotels I stayed in Sapa, but pick a hotel at the center of the city because taxi will be your biggest issue if you want to get around.
Hi! It is a really beautiful place to visit, I would plan what I want to do and just do everything myself without hiring a tour guide. Taxi scams are a huge problem there because they won’t pick you up when you’re using grab if it’s less than 50k vnd.
@@iamseryen oh no that's horrible. I could feel your frustrations all throughout the video lol. I hate it and I would definitely feel the same way. Thanks for being so honest though. Sent your video link to my friend so she can watch it as well. ❤️ -New subscriber
@jown2012 thank you!!! ❤ Haha, you’re right, Sapa was a nightmare. I don’t think I’ve ever been so frustrated in my life. It really hits home how truly alone I was.
thanx for sharing your authentic experience in Sapa. I'm heading there soon. gonna keep my eyes wide open with all the red flags you listed. I"'m so sorry you need to experience all that even when you speaking their language.
I’m sorry you had a less than positive experience. My wife and I just left Sapa. We had great weather and not a drop of rain during our 4-day stay. We were very comfortable on the sleeper bus. By the way, Grab is available now so no haggling with the driver.
Hello, this is the booker I used to book my bus from Sapa to Hanoi; Anh Hoang: Whatsapp +84 943038688 Tell him Serena refers you and he will take good care of you.
Hello, I’ve traveled to Vietnam multiple times and never encountered scams like this until visiting Sapa. I would still recommend giving Vietnam a try, there are many beautiful places to visit.
Hi! Can you share where one can find a tour guide upon arrival in Sapa instead of booking in advance? We're planning to go to but tour packages seem a little overpriced 😅 Hope you van help me with this! 😊
Hi! I didn’t have much luck with a tour guide in Sapa, but I would join a Sapa tour guide or vietnam tour guide group on Facebook and post the date you’re planning on visit and what you want to do and look for a tour guide that way. If you book with one on Facebook, do not pay them in advance, only pay after the tour is finished. Good luck!
I just been there, it’s really good. But the things you must be careful of many scam like in this video. Better way you must plan the whole things first, and for transport better rent motorbike direct from your trusty hotel. For you reference : i stay in viettrekking hotel sapa and the staff so helpful and also help you provide rent motorbike. Just remember everywhere part of country you are going to travel, there will always be scammer that will ripped us! Even for their local. Good luck everyone!
That is why I prefer to travel in Tour Package. If you,re travelling alone you will get this kind of problem. I have been to Vietnam twice but in Tour Packages. No problem.
Thanls for sharing..I'm a traveller and doing Vlog too,this november i'm coming to SAPA and China,will also doing Vlog content there..i know vietnam is a good place to visit as a traveller and tourist but some people there are really bad,they spoilt their images and tourist industry..sorry to hear this happening to u and us everywhere..Be safe everyone
You travelled alone……i can feel your anxiety and fear …. I would NEVER travel alone in a diferent country unless i have local friends or relatives already there
I had a very bad experience in Ho Chi Min city with the taxi driver. I’m don’t speak Vietnamese and he tried to scam me of 500k dong for a less than 5 minutes ride which is supposed to be just 18k that I paid the previous day. The driver tried to drive me and my daughter away because I refused to pay that amount. Then when we decided to fight him while he was driving away then he drove to the side of the road and let us out. We ended up paying him 50k. Thank God we were safe and nothing serious happened.
I’m so sorry to hear about your experience. Taxi scams can be notorious in parts of Asia. I usually stick to using Grab in Vietnam with this one exception, I just didn’t expect it to be so crazy.
@ that incident happened in 2016 and there was no Grab there that time I think. We decided to give Vietnam another chance and went to Hanoi and Danang/Hoi An this past summer. We used Grab wherever we travelled to. We had a great time with my son even though my daughter refused to visit Vietnam again with us. We are now planning to go back again and visit SaPa. That’s how we came across your video. Keep your videos coming. We enjoy you contents.
Thank you for your comment. I stayed at Sapa Green, which is close to the center of the city was a cheap and last minute option for me. Sapa Catcat Hill resort is beautiful but very far away from the center of city and the road was very rough to get there. I would probably stay here if I visit Sapa again: Hotel de la Coupole 2 Hoang Lien
Hello! When I went, the grab drivers won’t come if it’s under 100k. If you find a good driver, make sure you get their number so you can contact them again.
The taxi guy ripped you off. The meter indicated $41K and he charged you $100k. More than double and I am sure he went the longer route already. Wow ... Sorry for all the bad treatments you were facing in the Sapa region.
Just left Sapa 3 days ago. There is no need to be scared and the people there are so friendly. I did not book anything in advance apart from the hotel. You can literally book all your tours and tickets in every hotel and corner store. I came across a private taxi guide who took me around to wherever I wanted and spoke good English. Didn't rip me off and all pricing was up front. The tickets for entry fee he charged me the same as at the ticket office. I have his contact if you need it.
Is a good information before I decide to visit the city. Lesson to learn is to minimise transportation within the city if possible. Or take grab if there really is
I visited Sapa a few years ago together with my family. We are from Europe and I agree that you have to be carrefully dealing with people in the area of Sapa. You shouldn't be too friendly with them and show them who the boss/customer is. If you feel like you got scammed then tell them straight in their face that they are thief's and deal about the money. If needs to be then shout at them. Unfortunately that is sometimes the only language they understand. It happened to us being in the restaurant in Sapa and paying the bill with a bigger note, the waitress probably the owner of the restaurant gave us not the correct change back and started to argue that we did not gave her this higher amount of money. But i can get as Western woman really angry so i started to argue loud and angry inside the restaurant and i did not gave up until i got the correct change back. I would have done the same with the taxi driver and i would not left the taxi until all is clarified ......
100% Sometime you got to be the bigger asshole to get your way. Otherwise, you get steam over. I love doing that shit in VN. I'm a down to earth guy, but when visiting VN, I tend to be one of the biggest asshole there is when dealing with street vendors and taxi drivers. I start off as one rude motherfucker and talk as I'm all that so these locals know not to fuck with me off the bat. From there, I tend to tone down and talk to them with more respect. It's all show!
Wow! Sorry to hear about the restaurant incident…so sad that people don’t value integrity, pride and giving great experiences to another human. I’ll try to remember to take a pic of our cash payment before they take my money away (then bring me change)…yikes. I’m thinking twice about my Vietnam tour(myself as tour guide lol), hooohooo…I’m scared now.
I totally understood and sympathised with your experience. I was there last Dec 2023 as well and I got ripped off too. Fully watched and subscribed your channel from Sydney - Australia too.
Hi Mimi! Thank you for your comment and subscribing to my channel!
I’m sorry you had a bad experience in Sapa also, I hope the rest of your vietnam trip was better!
ripped off in what sense.....coz will visiting there on oct
@@martinad1383 there's a video at the top of the page.
Thanks for sharing your authentic experience in Sapa. Probably one of the very few honest reviews of sapa
Thank you for your comment!
I'm sorry to admit it but I was secretly happy that I am not the only one who occasionally finds themself in crappy situations despite the best laid plans.
That was a great honest review. This is probably how it is in most of SE Asia. Most people make these towns and countries a paradise and praise that people are simple and honest, and compare it with US and put down US unfortunately..
@@iamseryen did you depart from Lao Cai or Hanoi to Sapa in the beginning of the video?
@@Edwin-fk4yy hello ! I was in Ha Giang going to Sapa.
I"ve visited Sapa on four separate occasions and have loved every visit. As a female, solo traveller, I could not have felt safer. Vietnam is a very safe country in general and its a real shame you had a negative experience.
Thank you for your comment. I never felt unsafe in Vietnam. I will try Sapa again when the weather is better.
my solo trip there was all good too...love it..
She was not referring to safety aspects in the video anywhere. Did you watch it? Thanks.
@@pathkris2984Yes. This is about scams and dishonest people, not safety
Girl, I was here cackling. I am in Da Nang now, heading to Sapa next week. I will definitely keep my eyes open for red flags like these. That cab driver was messy as hell, and you speak the language!! I don’t know how that would have gone down with me because all I can say is hello, thank you and barely good morning in Vietnamese lol. And that tourguide, I don’t think she liked you because wow….you did say some of this was an expensive experiment so I hope you learned. Lol. One of my own lessons is to just book when I’m in the city, I only use guides for activities. Anyways, I love your transparency. I’m subbing :)
Everywhere in the world local people try to scam tourists. I travelled a lot in my life and faced many scammers too, i always told them guys I am a tourist visiting your country not a walking ATM machine that you think can just extract cash out of it. Honnesty will bring you more businesses in the future but scammers will kill out your bread winner in the future.
Very real video. Rare for travel channels. I’m going to watch more.
We just came back from SaPa and it was fine. Yes there are a few pushy motorbike taxi drivers lying about distances, women selling mass produced souvenirs and kids trying to sell you keyrings. But apart from that it's super easy to avoid obvious scams.
first, i am so sorry for what you went through! 2nd, thankful I got to see this video/review before I went and booked my expectations away. been keen on Sapa for a good minute, at least this gives me the cons as I have only ever seen pros about it so far. safe travels!
Hello, thank you for your comment. I hope your trip to Sapa will be better than mine!
Thank you for sharing your experience and tips. I felt sorry for all the commotions which you have been through in Sapa. Things like that can really irritate you and can ruin your vacation.
Hi! Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, I had the bad luck of meeting the wrong people.
I am sorry for your experience. I planned to visit there this coming September, I found your video while doing research on Sapa. Now I understand why tourism there isn't doing good
Hi! Thank you for your comment!
Sapa is a really a beautiful place, going in September will be a better experience than in the middle of winter.
i love how you always calm in handling every stressful situations cause i would've cried, you has changed my perspective and thank you for sharing this video !!
Hi Donna, thank you for your comment! ☺️
Appreciate the honesty in this vid, sometimes things just don't work out when we travel 😅 Looked cold, what month was it?
Thank you for your comment! This happened in late January, when you want the local experience but weren’t quite prepared for it 😂
@iamseryen 😅
Watched, clicked the like button (didn't "like" what you experienced) and subscribed. Had some flash-backs of our last trip to Vietnam in 2000 with my girlfriend, now wife. Next trip back with our 2 teens is 2025! My Father-in-law is from Hue, small world! I know much of Vietnam has greatly improved in how they treat tourists, sad to see so many in Sapa haven't yet. We'll be sure to keep our guard up!
Hi Matt!
Thank you for your comment. Vietnam has changed a lot since 2000, and it’s great to see how much it’s growing.
I visit almost every year and have never had an experience like the one I did in Sapa, might have just been bad luck. I hope you and your family have an amazing time in Vietnam!
I took the VVIP limousine from Hanoi (around USD40 to USD60, cannot remember) but it was super comfy. But on the way back to Hanoi, as there were empty seats, the driver picked up strangers from the toll booth. I do not mind, but the couple who sat behind me were so loud and rude...they put their feet on my armrest. When I complaint, they just ignored me and spoke in their language. It was also near to TET and they brought a lot of things. I was not happy and lodged a report after I arrived in Hanoi. The company refunded me the return trip.
Glad to hear that you were refunded the return trip fee .... they should fired the Driver as well just to teach people a lesson about GREED!!
Instead of come back. It should SAY exit. #gramerpatrol
Maybe if you didn’t spend all that money on fendi scarf you should have spent top dollar on touring specialist instead of trying to look like you have money. FOH But hey. I gave you a like. 👍. Honestly I like this video and your opinion I’m going to vist soon. Thanks for the info
the vvip limousine normally from Hanoi to Sapa just 18$…😢
That's why it is important to book your tours with a legit agency and not a tour guide which is not accredited by the local govt.
I recently spent 3 weeks living in Sa Pa, and whilst yes you will encounter people who will probably try to rip you off or scam you, the same can be said for the rest of Vietnam and many other countries in Asia for that matter. So for people saying they probably wont visit Sa Pa for these reasons, maybe avoid Asia, it's probably not for you. 😊
I feel like perhaps you didn't do your research, because during the my 3 weeks in Sa Pa I spent roughly $300 usd and had accommodation at good hotels, ate at great restaurants, was invited to eat with locals and their families, and spent some time to explore some of the lesser touristy spots around Sa Pa.
I'll agree it can be frusterating being followed around all day asking if I want to go trekking or buy stuff, but you just have to keep saying no.
Take the time to ask the locals how much things usually cost. What's the local price for taxi, bike, tours etc. A bit of research goes a long way.
I would encourage you to give Sa Pa another chance in the future 😊🙏
You have a narrow mindset. People will try to rip you off or scam you anywhere in the world even where you’re from.
Exactly, it happens in europe and many western countries as well, not just in Asia.
@ glad you clarified your own comment
Hi Justin
Could you recommend how to book a tour in Sapa, I would rather prebook everything than to go there to get surprised
You can get pickpocketed and scammed in france - spian - italy too .
Subbed after this great no holes barred review of your experience in Sapa it really reflects bad on a country as a whole when dody people try to scam tourists
Great video 😂 i admire your patience and positive attitude.
Your experience just served its purpose here💯 ❤.
Thank you so for your comment! 😊
Thank you for sharing this. As a Viet Kieu myself, this kind of experience is good to know. My dad's friend's daughter went to sapa recently and loved it, but she was born and raised in Vietnam, so.. that is different from being Viet Kieu. Many/most Vietnamese people who live in Vietnam treat Viet Kieu as foreigners. Usually, it's fine (eg paying a dollar for a sandwich instead of 50 cents) but leaving you literally out in the cold is just...really "Un-Vietnamese".
Hi! Thank you for your comment. Hope you have a wonderful trip in vietnam!
This made me feel better I had similar experience and I am eager to leave Sapa now I feel I got ripped off a lot with tours and taxis. I was expecting a better experience because other videos don’t show this side of Sapa. Thank you.
I’m sorry to hear you went through something similar, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. I hope the rest of your time in Vietnam is much better.
T.T oh my goodness i am so sorry all these events happened one after another. I'm glad it's over, and honestly thank you so, so much for publishing this video and helping us future/prospective Sapa travellers! God bless you, and hope you can enjoy MUCH better travel experiences in the future 🧡🧡
Hi! Thank you so much for your comment, it really encourages me to create more videos like this.
@iamseryen hahahaha thank YOUU
I have heard so much about the tourist ripped off in Sapa, unfortunately. 😮
Was in sapa 2 weeks ago.sooo beautiful but the woman's stories are heartbreaking.
Such a shame for such a beautiful city. I hope they will change on how they treat foreigners in Sapa. I’m sure not everyone is like that there, it’s just my luck I met not so nice ones.
Sorry to hear you had a bad experience it Sapa. I just left Sapa 3 days ago and had a totally different experience to you. I found everyone to be very honest and friendly.
Extremely honest friendly and extremely exploited and poor
Hello,
I like your video. Its so authentic. By the way, Which month were you travelling in? It looks too cold and i am planning a trip so want to be prepared.
Hi, this was in late January, and it was quite cold. The temperatures ranged from around 20°F (-6°C) to 30°F (-1°C) during my visit.
I just subscribed to your channel❣ thank you for all the heads up we and family are planning to visit Vietnam and hopefully we will not come across the people who have scammed you. Good luck on your next vlog. GOD BLESS🙏👍👍
Hi! Thank you for your comment! Hope you have a wonderful trip in vietnam!
😂The hotel's shower on the hill is see through and a random driver just drive pass the shower. I cant!
I'm going to Sapa next week, really hope it will be a better experience and not so foggy. Thank you for the tips
Thanks for sharing, I sincerely appreciate the honesty. planning to go next year jan with my bestfriend. Is it snowy? how cold is it?
Thank you! I learned a lot from you. I was in Sapa in February 2024 and had a much better experience. However, I was disappointed in the homestay my Vietnamese lady friend selected. although it was in the city it was up a very steep hillside and we had to climb about 50 steps to get to the actual room. If I ever return to Sapa it will be during the warmer months because like you, mostly all I saw was fog.
And I learned early on to avoid taxis as much as possible and take Grab cars and motorbikes because the fare is paid electronically in advance and not a single one of the Grab drivers tried to cheat me. if I absolutely had to take a taxi I chose only VinaSun or Mailyn because most of them are honest.
I am surprised that you were taken advantage so often. I was in Sapa for a week in 1993 and another week 5 years ago. Everyone was very friendly and we were never cheated. I must admit I don't like Sapa these days,much better 30 years ago when it was a tiny village only 2 places to stay and the hill tribes could not speak a word of English
Yes, too many tourists in Sapa now.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Precious lessons from this as I plan to go to Sapa soon. I guess I will stick to Hotels, ride via Grab and tours in Klook then.
Thank you for your comment.
Grab is a little difficult to get, if it’s under 100k vnd, they won’t come. My hotel called the taxi I was in, so just beware of taxi even if it’s recommended by your hotel.
Woah!!! Thank you for sharing this awful experience you had at Sapa. Was thinking of heading there w my lil boy. Shall think twice now. It's amazing how you kept so cool thru out! I would hv been enraged. Thank you again for sharing!
Hi! Thank you for your comment. It was definitely a challenge to keep my cool, I tried not to let the frustration show in the video.
If you decide to visit Sapa, I hope you and your little one have a wonderful time! Just a heads-up, Sapa isn’t particularly kid-friendly, as there are not many places that are especially enjoyable for children.
Would highly recommend visiting Sa Pa, not everyones experience is the same. I had the best 3 weeks in Sa Pa this year and was my second time visiting. It's an amazing town 😁
But not much for children to do there, so keep that in mind. 😊
I just canceled my 2 days trip to sapa and extend my Hanoi stay after watching this.
I go on vacations to relax and take a break from my stressful job, this looked like adding more stress.
NOPE, I'm not taking a 6 hours bus ride to argue with scammers all day long.
Thanks for sharing.
You should have gone to visit Sapa. It is very beautiful
Sapa is so beautiful and relaxing especially Fansipan… take the sleeper bus of HK Buslines at 20 US dollars. It’s the best way to travel to Sapa from/to Hanoi or Noi Bai airport plus they have a provided another van to pick you up from your hanoi hotel or at the airport then drop you off at your Sapa hotel, and vice versa. Fansipan is relaxing and breathtaking on a good weather and Moana is kitschy but very nice if you like taking souvenir photos. Skip CatCat Village. Book Via Klook and/or Agoda and you’ll be fine.
You are making the right decision. My sister went there earlier this year and got scammed over and over as well.
Really enjoyed the video, sorry you had bad experiences in Sapa. That hotel at the end was sure pretty though
Thank you for your comment.
Yes, cat cat hill hotel is very nice but far from the city.
Thanks for exposing the dishonesty of travel/tourist services in Sapa that people need to watch out for. Cảm ơn bạn đã ghi lại những bẫy lừa (chặt chém) mà người đi du lịch Sapa cần biết .
WHAT is Vietnam Tourist authority doing about this? Nothing?
19:30 Hello! 😊 Does Grab work in Sapa, I was trying to find it in the locations of Grab Vietnam but couldn’t seem to find Sapa listed. 😢
Hello, there are Grab in Sapa, but they won’t come unless the ride is over 50k VND.
@@iamseryen Thanks dear 🙏🏻😊
Hello. What was the season ? Was it in april like the date of your video or in december ? Thanks for your answer.
Hello, this video was filmed at the end of January.
I was there Sept 2023. I taught by speaking the language you would have advantage. I also stayed 9km away from Sapa town. It was a great place but the only prob having to stay that out is the food. Costly Ave 150k to 250k per meal.no choice but to eat there taxi I think I paid 100000 plus. But aside from tat it was great outdoor view, I think it's OK but I wasn't expecting it to be x2 or x3 from food in hanoi
Fab video. I’m going to Sapa next February, I’ve been before at that time and so I know what to expect from the weather. It was one of the best travel experiences ever, in spite of all the discomfort. I’m going on to Ha Giang from there to do the loop with RoadKings, maybe I’ll book a bus myself, if there is a better option. I’m going to stay in a hotel in the town, not a homestay.
I have a really good bus booker I found in Hanoi that can book your bus to Sapa from ha giang or Hanoi if you want his info. I highly recommend him.
@@iamseryen Great! What are the contact details? I want to do a day bus from Hanoi to Sapa and then on to Ha Giang, then to Ninh Binh at the end of the loop. I haven’t been to Vietnam for quite a few years, although I’ve been to SE Asia 3very year except for during Covid.
@@rachel.please3929 this is his contact info, tell him Serena refers you and he will take care of you.
Anh Hoang: Whatsapp +84 943038688
Hope you have a wonderful time in vietnam!
Thanks for the video. Yeah that taxi driver was definitely trying to overcharge
I was so pissed off with him I'm so glad you stood your ground and didn't give in to his scamming
tSeryen, thanks very much for sharing your bad experience. It must have been very frustrating to go tYes, through all that. Imagine to be let down after all the planning you did to include Sapa in your trip. I would have cried with frustration and stressed out. Even with your ability to speak Vietnamese, they still scammed you. How much more would they do to a foreigner? But I'm glad you had enjoyed your last hotel in Sapa excluding the incident of the stained towel.
I like how articulate you were in describing your bad and horrible experience. Thank you.
Hi Angelique! Thank you so much for your comment!
VIDEO SAVED AND SUBSCRIBED. THANKS FOR SHOWING
Hello Bruce! Thank you for watching, commenting and subscribing! 😊
Man, you're such a brilliant woman. Despite such a shitty XP and feeling as bad as you were, you could just smile and laugh it off. Really inspiring. My wife and I will be very vigilant.
Hi! That was one of the nicest comments I’ve received. Thank you! 😊 I hope you and your wife have an amazing time in Vietnam.
I'm from Morocco and I've already planned my vacation to Hanoi on next April 2025.
I knew very few things about vietnam until I've met some coworkers from there who later became my closest friends. I was amazed by their human values and how great human beings they are.
Sapa is in my todo-list and I certainly don't wan't to get into this situation.
It's amazing that some people there would dare to scam even their own coutrymen. But they are not going to stop me from visiting what has become my country by heart.
Do you recommand that I plan something with a travel agency ?
Thank you for this very informative video.
Hi! Vietnam is my favorite country to visit, but I put all my trust on one tour guide and that’s where I went wrong.
If I were to visit again, I would look up a hotel close to the center of the city, this one looks really good:
Hotel de la Coupole- MGallery
They will have tours and recommendations, you can message them ahead of time if you book with Agoda and arrange for pick up, tours, etc.
@@iamseryen Thank you very much ❤.
thank you for sharing, I was planning to come to SAPA in March next year, I might have second thoughts about the visit now . Maybe try elsewhere.
Hi George. Sapa is a beautiful place. If you end up going, just be cautious and do more research on what you want to do and how to get around. Taxi is easier to find than Grab, but they will take advantage of foreigners.
Thank you for sharing. Did you book online? May i know what company so i will be aware of it. Thnx
As a Vietnamese who grew up in the west, i feel for U girl. I hate been treated like a mug. Unfortunately its just a sad part of society these days. Love Ur content by the way.😊😊😊
Thank you so much for your support and kind words! It’s comforting to know others understand that feeling. Sadly, it does happen, but I try to focus on the positives of every experience. I really appreciate you watching and enjoying my content, it means a lot! ❤️
wow thanks for this video. I am planning to make a trip to SAPA next month. This is certainly an eye opener. My trip to Danang/Hoi An was pretty straightforward and never once were there people who tried to scam us. I should be very wreary when I make my way to SAPA..................
Hello! It’s going to be cold and a bit dreary in Sapa next month, so be sure to pack accordingly. Wishing you a great experience there!
I praise you for being brave to travel there by yourself based on FB unknown-based friends. It's a good thing that you speak the language and made it thru 😮😮😮.
Thank you for your video. It is good to know about this for my trip there.
Sapa is one of my favourite place in Vietnam. i am feeling sad for you :( .... I visited sapa in Feb this year and my trip went smooth. i booked from travel agency $80 for two nights, accommodation, food, transport in sapa, Guide and round return trip sleeper bus to Hanoi.... the weather was so beautiful totally cleared.... that's why i got chance to visit Fancipan which was amazing. Please note the fancipan ticket was not included ....
We’re thinking of going in January. What should we pack please as it looks quite cold there!
Hi, this was in late January, and the temperatures ranged from about 20°F (-6°C) to 30°F (-1°C). I’d recommend packing thick layers, a warm coat, gloves, a scarf, and a beanie to stay comfortable.
Did you happen to book any of these tours through Klook? We are planning to visit in a couple of months and are booking everything through Klook.
Thank you for sharing even though it was a difficult experience. Appreciate it!
Thank you for your comment! 😊
I am planning to go in December and now you make me think twice. Thanks for sharing ❤
Hi! Thank you for your comment.
The weather might be bad in December, but if you go, at least you know what to be cautious of. Hope you have a wonderful trip!
Thank you for this review. I love your spirit. 🕊️
Thank you for sharing what to do and not to do in Sapa! Very informational and helpful on what to do and avoid.
Hi! Thank you for your comment, I’m glad this video was helpful
Saw you vlog.. very helpful. Will be visiting Sapa Vietnam and we are really gonna be mindful esp in taking a taxi. Thank you.
I will be in Sa Pa this month and I'll be staying for 3days after Hanoi. I'm a solo traveler and thank you for your video. Hope I will have a smooth experience.
I got scammed by Hmong women in Sapa who took me to a hotel by jumping a fence (they found us when we were hiking). Then they exploited our situation by forcing us to buy stuff or report us for "trespassing". The resort was also in this act, and I saw them ferry the Hmong women back uphill on the golf-karts.
That’s unbelievable! I’m so sorry you went through that.
Just subscribed and thank you for sharing what u've experienced in Sapa as i'm really planning to go there next year. huhu. i'm scared now since i don't know how to speak vietnamese. are there budget hotels near catcat village? can u hire a motorcycle right away or thru apps?
Hi! Thank you for watching, commenting, and subscribing!
Don’t be scared! You don’t need to speak Vietnamese, most people in Sapa will understand English and you can use google translate to communicate if they do not.
There are budget hotels near cat cat village, I recommend using Agoda to book hotels. It will give you the address of the hotel and you can check how far it is from things you want to do. Cat Cat village is a little far from the city center, so you will need to get a bike or taxi, and taxi was one of the hardest thing to get in Sapa because they won’t come if you use Grab App.
If I were to do Sapa over again, I would find a private driver and make a deal with them to take me around.
Yeah sadly my best experience was a full day in Phu Quoc on the cable car. One price included everyting and good value. No one tried to hassle me the whole time. Plus the kissing bridge at sunset wow!
We had the same experience like you both times we visited Vietnam. The tours we booked over promised and under deliver. They would have add on along the way and the guide would berate you for not taking the upgrade. The so called bullet train from Hanoi to sapa turned out to be a slow train with people camping out along the walkway! The tour operators will not know the damage they are doing to the tourism of Vietnam. I dun think we would ever visit Vietnam again!
You are corrected. You should do your research before your trip. Also, what you paid is what you get.we went to SAPA in October 2022 and have no issues since we check the weather, got the limousine van with the captain chair, pre-booked our hotel and so on. Why did you wait until you get there to book the hotel?
@michaelnguyen1597
I originally was going to stay with my tour guide for 3D2N, I trusted my guide to come up with the itinerary after I gave her a list of what I wanted to do. Unfortunately that did not happened.
I also checked the weather before coming to Sapa and knew it was going to be foggy but the tour guide insisted it will be ok. I trusted the wrong person for this trip and that ruined the whole experience for me.
I'm going to Sapa end of January. Thanks for this video this is very helpful.
Have a wonderful time in Vietnam! Sapa will be cold in January so make sure you pack accordingly.
If they did that to a native speaker - wow.. I really hate it when you have to watch your every step to not to get scammed.
So sorry about your experience. Thank you for sharing.
Oh my goodness, honey so sorry for your bad experience.
I was there last year with one of my sister from another mother and they also tried to scam us,
but that’s a no go for them. We knew better lol. When you’re in Sapa, or any where for that matter, someone will always try to scam you. We had an amazing three days there. Thank goodness we had beautiful
weather when we were there. I did a lot of hiking all the way to the top peak.🥵
When dealing with the locals before you get inside their car make sure you reconfirm their price, ask for the price and record them on video as they’re telling you, so you don’t have to waste your time argumenting with them. It’s not about the money, to my it’s about the principal that they are not honest.
Knowing me, I cannot argue with them, because I don’t know much, Vietnamese.
But I will definitely argue with them in English😂. I will only pay for what I ask for on my Grab apps. And if they’re nice, I will definitely give them a tips, but if they’re not then forget it. When traveling I don’t trust nobody 😂 hope you had a better experience in Hanoi, We had a blast there and also HaLong Bay too. Better luck next time😊
your own people let you down. i would scold them and say hey, help me we're the same people. but i enjoyed your attitude and perspective through it all so i liked and subcribed
Hi! Thank you for your comment!
Had a very similar experience and left in the middle of nowhere in the Mekong Delta
I subscribed to your channel , you are honest and Thank you
Thank for the head up. I’m taking my kids and wife to SaPa for a couple days in December 24. Any recommendations for a places to visit? & where to stay?
I honestly don’t recommend any of the hotels I stayed in Sapa, but pick a hotel at the center of the city because taxi will be your biggest issue if you want to get around.
OMG. I wanted to go to SaPa next year. Now I'm doubting it
Hi! It is a really beautiful place to visit, I would plan what I want to do and just do everything myself without hiring a tour guide.
Taxi scams are a huge problem there because they won’t pick you up when you’re using grab if it’s less than 50k vnd.
@@iamseryen oh no that's horrible. I could feel your frustrations all throughout the video lol. I hate it and I would definitely feel the same way. Thanks for being so honest though. Sent your video link to my friend so she can watch it as well. ❤️
-New subscriber
@jown2012 thank you!!! ❤
Haha, you’re right, Sapa was a nightmare. I don’t think I’ve ever been so frustrated in my life. It really hits home how truly alone I was.
thanx for sharing your authentic experience in Sapa. I'm heading there soon. gonna keep my eyes wide open with all the red flags you listed. I"'m so sorry you need to experience all that even when you speaking their language.
I’m sorry you had a less than positive experience. My wife and I just left Sapa. We had great weather and not a drop of rain during our 4-day stay. We were very comfortable on the sleeper bus. By the way, Grab is available now so no haggling with the driver.
When were you there? Planning a trip to Sapa. Thank you
@ First week of December 2024.
Hi! Can you share where to book the vip bus u took back from sapa to hanoi? Thank you
Hello, this is the booker I used to book my bus from Sapa to Hanoi;
Anh Hoang: Whatsapp +84 943038688
Tell him Serena refers you and he will take good care of you.
I was thinking of going to Vietnam, Now i am second guessing if i should avoid
Hello, I’ve traveled to Vietnam multiple times and never encountered scams like this until visiting Sapa. I would still recommend giving Vietnam a try, there are many beautiful places to visit.
Hi! Can you share where one can find a tour guide upon arrival in Sapa instead of booking in advance? We're planning to go to but tour packages seem a little overpriced 😅
Hope you van help me with this! 😊
*can
Hi! I didn’t have much luck with a tour guide in Sapa, but I would join a Sapa tour guide or vietnam tour guide group on Facebook and post the date you’re planning on visit and what you want to do and look for a tour guide that way.
If you book with one on Facebook, do not pay them in advance, only pay after the tour is finished. Good luck!
@@iamseryen ooh will keep this in mind!! Thank you for this advise!! 🫶
I just been there, it’s really good.
But the things you must be careful of many scam like in this video.
Better way you must plan the whole things first, and for transport better rent motorbike direct from your trusty hotel.
For you reference : i stay in viettrekking hotel sapa and the staff so helpful and also help you provide rent motorbike.
Just remember everywhere part of country you are going to travel, there will always be scammer that will ripped us! Even for their local. Good luck everyone!
Heard about scams with motorbikes as well.
That is why I prefer to travel in Tour Package. If you,re travelling alone you will get this kind of problem. I have been to Vietnam twice but in Tour Packages. No problem.
Sorry for your experience…it’s not surprising that Vietnam only has a 5% return rate.
Thank you Chr1s8o8, I came out of it with just bad memories.
Another truth. 5% return rate.. Vietnamese hate it... LOL Thailand has a 60% return rate...
Thanls for sharing..I'm a traveller and doing Vlog too,this november i'm coming to SAPA and China,will also doing Vlog content there..i know vietnam is a good place to visit as a traveller and tourist but some people there are really bad,they spoilt their images and tourist industry..sorry to hear this happening to u and us everywhere..Be safe everyone
You travelled alone……i can feel your anxiety and fear …. I would NEVER travel alone in a diferent country unless i have local friends or relatives already there
Looks so cold.. that was may ? I m going mid November..
Hello. The video was filmed in late January.
what month are you in vietnam ? the weather looks very cold..
Hello, this was filmed around January 27. It was very cold in Sapa
I had a very bad experience in Ho Chi Min city with the taxi driver. I’m don’t speak Vietnamese and he tried to scam me of 500k dong for a less than 5 minutes ride which is supposed to be just 18k that I paid the previous day. The driver tried to drive me and my daughter away because I refused to pay that amount. Then when we decided to fight him while he was driving away then he drove to the side of the road and let us out. We ended up paying him 50k. Thank God we were safe and nothing serious happened.
I’m so sorry to hear about your experience. Taxi scams can be notorious in parts of Asia. I usually stick to using Grab in Vietnam with this one exception, I just didn’t expect it to be so crazy.
@ that incident happened in 2016 and there was no Grab there that time I think. We decided to give Vietnam another chance and went to Hanoi and Danang/Hoi An this past summer. We used Grab wherever we travelled to. We had a great time with my son even though my daughter refused to visit Vietnam again with us. We are now planning to go back again and visit SaPa. That’s how we came across your video. Keep your videos coming. We enjoy you contents.
Your error was that you booked with a cheap agency. If you have chosen a good travel agency, you would have a much more pleasant experience.
Oh my! What a crazy experience! Waaaah
I feel sad so many of them are trying to cheat.
I will be traveling with my family to Sapa in September. Which hotel would you recommend?
Thank you for your comment.
I stayed at Sapa Green, which is close to the center of the city was a cheap and last minute option for me.
Sapa Catcat Hill resort is beautiful but very far away from the center of city and the road was very rough to get there.
I would probably stay here if I visit Sapa again:
Hotel de la Coupole
2 Hoang Lien
I plan to go to Sapa next Month with my Family. Is there many Grab car at Sapa?
Hello!
When I went, the grab drivers won’t come if it’s under 100k. If you find a good driver, make sure you get their number so you can contact them again.
@@iamseryen yess,,, tats wat i did,,,
Hello, which month did you go to SAPA?
Oh dear... im going there with group tour this coming Dec😮. Erghhh
Hi RedRose,
I think you will be fine if you’re with a group tour, they would arrange everything for you ahead of time. Enjoy your time in Vietnam!
Your vlog is really useful
The taxi guy ripped you off. The meter indicated $41K and he charged you $100k. More than double and I am sure he went the longer route already. Wow ... Sorry for all the bad treatments you were facing in the Sapa region.
the difference between grab and taxi is insane. at least you stud your ground. I wish you had a better experience.
Thank you SeiphersZone for your comment.
The taxi drivers are also grab drivers and they won’t take the ride if it’s less than 100k VND.
Oh, no! I have plans going to Sapa but now, I'm not so sure. 💔
Just left Sapa 3 days ago. There is no need to be scared and the people there are so friendly. I did not book anything in advance apart from the hotel. You can literally book all your tours and tickets in every hotel and corner store.
I came across a private taxi guide who took me around to wherever I wanted and spoke good English. Didn't rip me off and all pricing was up front. The tickets for entry fee he charged me the same as at the ticket office. I have his contact if you need it.
May I have your driver contact ?
@@Michael-kv9ppMay i have your sapa driver contact ?
Hi there, would u mind to share the taxi contact number please? I have all booked my trip to Sapa on November. Ta
Is a good information before I decide to visit the city. Lesson to learn is to minimise transportation within the city if possible. Or take grab if there really is
I visited Sapa a few years ago together with my family. We are from Europe and I agree that you have to be carrefully dealing with people in the area of Sapa. You shouldn't be too friendly with them and show them who the boss/customer is. If you feel like you got scammed then tell them straight in their face that they are thief's and deal about the money. If needs to be then shout at them. Unfortunately that is sometimes the only language they understand. It happened to us being in the restaurant in Sapa and paying the bill with a bigger note, the waitress probably the owner of the restaurant gave us not the correct change back and started to argue that we did not gave her this higher amount of money. But i can get as Western woman really angry so i started to argue loud and angry inside the restaurant and i did not gave up until i got the correct change back. I would have done the same with the taxi driver and i would not left the taxi until all is clarified ......
100% Sometime you got to be the bigger asshole to get your way. Otherwise, you get steam over. I love doing that shit in VN. I'm a down to earth guy, but when visiting VN, I tend to be one of the biggest asshole there is when dealing with street vendors and taxi drivers. I start off as one rude motherfucker and talk as I'm all that so these locals know not to fuck with me off the bat. From there, I tend to tone down and talk to them with more respect. It's all show!
Wow! Sorry to hear about the restaurant incident…so sad that people don’t value integrity, pride and giving great experiences to another human. I’ll try to remember to take a pic of our cash payment before they take my money away (then bring me change)…yikes. I’m thinking twice about my Vietnam tour(myself as tour guide lol), hooohooo…I’m scared now.
For $100k, the hotel will buy half a dozen of new towels. hehehehehe
So crazy!
When did you go to sapa.what month or exact dates if you wont mind.thank you
Hello! I think it was Jan 27, 2024