Sa Pa Tourist Traps

Just a heads up to sleepy weary travellers that arrive at the train station after a night on the train to watch out for the mini van scam. We arrived at 4:45 in the morning to be greated by the usual load of people wanting to take us by taxi to sapa as we just stepped off the train. After about 40m while still on the train platform there was a new minivan offering 60,000VND per person to Sapa. It seemed like a good deal considering it was pouring with rain. Anyway they said hurry hurry, we are about to go, My girlfriend and I got iinto the van together with another couple where we were asked to pay up front *first mistake* by one of 3 men that helped load the luggage. The van then sat there for about 10 minutes until everyone else got off the train. No one else got in the van. The door then opened and the man asked us to get out. This is when we thought why? He continued to ask and we then wanted our money back. He would not give it to us as he said you didn't give it to him or the ddriver but someone else. We still refused to get out and demanded to be take to Sapa, the driver then drove off the platform and to the public train and wanted us out. Anyway to cut a long story short and for me not to repeat the very loud arguement that we had, what they are doing is working in a 4 person team.

1. they get you in the van.
2. ask for the money up front by one man.
3. the man takes the money and then disapears
4. another man then asks you to get out because we didnt' pay him
5. passengers refuse
6. an arguement breaks out with much swearing and cursing
7. they play dumb and say we never paid.
8. they refuse to take us

If you want transport to Sapa, go to the carpark and negotiate with a taxi driver for no more than 300,000VND to SAPA

Its a shame when there is a small minority of these people in Vietnam that rip people off because they are the ones that stick in your mind!!