I've been to Vietnam for extended periods three times over the past two years, mostly in the Hanoi, Da Nang/Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City areas. One thing I know the Government is concerned about is the dismal rate of tourists returning to the country after one visit, as compared to its neighbors like Thailand. They tend to attribute that to the considerable pollution problems in the larger cities and, also, to that fact that trash is EVERYWHERE. There is one factor, though, that dawned on me early on. More than any other S.E. Asian country, everywhere I went in Vietnam I felt like a "mark." Merchants, taxi drivers, currency exchange places seem to ALWAYS be looking for ways to take advantage of tourists! I broke my arm outside Hanoi on one trip and asked for a doctor when I got back to my hotel. The concierge took care of everything, even going outside to implore the taxi driver taking me to the hospital to NOT ream me - to no avail. The ride TO the hospital was considerably more expensive than the ride back. I'm reminded of another video where a couple from the United States was buying two mangoes from a street vendor - for $50 USD. Two mangoes...
Oh wow, sorry you felt like a mark. I hope the hospital visit went ok. This was really the only problem we encountered. I think it probably happens more in the big cities and busy tourist areas.. We really tried to know our prices, shop around because yes even the taxi rides can have different prices.
Several times we were approached at night by people at the night market in Hoi An to go for a boat ride. We refused every time... but if we would have gone, who knows that could have happened to us too.
Hi thanks, we are back home, no longer in Vietnam. We were ok , it was just very misleading and frustrating. The people there are great but unfortunately, like anywhere, you have to be cautious. We were caught off guard and wanted people to be aware and make sure its very clear what they may be bargaining for.
Four of us were also scammed in Hanoi by a taxi driver. We negotiated a fare to be brought to a mall 30 minutes away. He took our money and drop us off to a mall not even within 6 minutes drive. I hope Vietnamese government can do something about it. Tourism is booming in the country. Bad experiences like these are not good at all.😢
I noticed in March that the Thu Bon river water is looking the cleanest it has in years. Except downstream where all those lanterns go, littering the banks and fouling the water. Please practice responsible tourism.
Another informative video, looking forward to seeing the next one!
I've been to Vietnam for extended periods three times over the past two years, mostly in the Hanoi, Da Nang/Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City areas. One thing I know the Government is concerned about is the dismal rate of tourists returning to the country after one visit, as compared to its neighbors like Thailand. They tend to attribute that to the considerable pollution problems in the larger cities and, also, to that fact that trash is EVERYWHERE. There is one factor, though, that dawned on me early on. More than any other S.E. Asian country, everywhere I went in Vietnam I felt like a "mark." Merchants, taxi drivers, currency exchange places seem to ALWAYS be looking for ways to take advantage of tourists! I broke my arm outside Hanoi on one trip and asked for a doctor when I got back to my hotel. The concierge took care of everything, even going outside to implore the taxi driver taking me to the hospital to NOT ream me - to no avail. The ride TO the hospital was considerably more expensive than the ride back.
I'm reminded of another video where a couple from the United States was buying two mangoes from a street vendor - for $50 USD. Two mangoes...
Oh wow, sorry you felt like a mark. I hope the hospital visit went ok.
This was really the only problem we encountered. I think it probably happens more in the big cities and busy tourist areas.. We really tried to know our prices, shop around because yes even the taxi rides can have different prices.
Thanks for the word of warning. I hadn't heard to that scam before.
Several times we were approached at night by people at the night market in Hoi An to go for a boat ride. We refused every time... but if we would have gone, who knows that could have happened to us too.
Sorry for your bad experience, Please Bring his photo (audio) to the police office near by.
Hi thanks, we are back home, no longer in Vietnam.
We were ok , it was just very misleading and frustrating.
The people there are great but unfortunately, like anywhere, you have to be cautious.
We were caught off guard and wanted people to be aware and make sure its very clear what they may be bargaining for.
Four of us were also scammed in Hanoi by a taxi driver. We negotiated a fare to be brought to a mall 30 minutes away. He took our money and drop us off to a mall not even within 6 minutes drive.
I hope Vietnamese government can do something about it. Tourism is booming in the country. Bad experiences like these are not good at all.😢
Oh that's frustrating. .
Luckily for us, the majority of our experience there was very good except this one incident.
Good to know
I noticed in March that the Thu Bon river water is looking the cleanest it has in years. Except downstream where all those lanterns go, littering the banks and fouling the water. Please practice responsible tourism.
Go to know, thanks
Probably best to just avoid overcrowded tourist trap activities like this.
True, you can see the boats from shore. Hoi An is a beautiful place to visit though for sure .
maybe you shouldn't be so cheap next time.
Good karma follows you. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much