Vietnam Tourist Traps

  Ben Thanh Market: pickpocketers...
by markythesparky1
 
  • Ben Thanh Market: pickpocketers paradise!
      Ben Thanh Market: pickpocketers...
    by markythesparky1
  • cheaper place right down the street !!!!
      cheaper place right down the street !!!!
    by jlanza29
  • These cyclo drivers await the next bus - Hoi An
      These cyclo drivers await the next bus -...
    by mtncorg
  • Hawker boat
      Hawker boat
    by kidfree
  • You buy from me ?
      You buy from me ?
    by kidfree
 

Most Viewed Tourist Traps in Vietnam

76.

The money-thing   Ho Chi Minh City

The money-thing, Ho Chi Minh City

 10 Reviews  Stall 626 in Ben Thanh offers d best Dong for your buck. As at Sept 20, 2011, airport moneychangers n Parkson Dong Khoi offering dong 20,810 per US$ (no comm to pay anywhere), but Ben Thanh was... 

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77.

Street sellers   Hanoi

Street sellers, Hanoi

 13 Reviews  If you stop and show interest in what the ladies carry they will talk you into buying there goods.Even if you dont really want it . If you dont want what they have dont show the slightest interest as... 

 See All 52 Tourist Traps in Hanoi

78.

Over-pricing   Ho Chi Minh City

Over-pricing, Ho Chi Minh City

 25 Reviews  Be VERY careful of the cyclos. Negotiate the price before hand but be aware that when you get off, they may demand more money from you. Whilst in HCMC friends got bailed up against a wall and more... 

 See All 71 Tourist Traps in Ho Chi Minh City

79.

Transportation matters   Hanoi

Transportation matters, Hanoi

 15 Reviews  I felt into the traps 3 times, even I am extremely careful: 1. Took a taxi from one of the museum to the city, should cost around 40,000 Dong. The meter jumps so fast that I ended up paying about 5... 

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80.

Saigon River Cruise   Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon River Cruise, Ho Chi Minh City

 4 Reviews  The Saigon River isn't smelly anymore when i went unlike what has been described by the others. However there really isn't that much to see either. The banks are lined with industrial boats and... 

 See All 71 Tourist Traps in Ho Chi Minh City

81.

Touts   Hanoi

Touts, Hanoi

 2 Reviews  You may see women carrying loads of fruit and think great photo opportunity. So do they!! They will ask whether you want a photo or if you are with someone else give them the pole to carry and for... 

 See All 52 Tourist Traps in Hanoi

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Street Vendors in Hanoi

by meccostaud

A young girl carrying a bag approached us on the street in Old Town Hanoi and asked us to buy a t-shirt for $10.00 US. I guffawed and she immediately started bargaining and wouldn't go away, even when we told her we didn't want any t-shirts. She persisted, and I got her down to $6.00 for 2 shirts, which is still a rip-off, considering that you can read a newspaper through the fabric. She even sulked about it and acted offended that I would only pay $6.00!!! There are a million places to buy t-shirts, so don't get sucked into feeling guilty and overpaying for a tissue paper-thin t-shirt.

Perfume Pagoda - its a commando training trip

by PangTeowWah

We were told that Pefume Pagoda is a "must". So we paid USD12.50 each and books a "small group" tour through Sinh Cafe. It turned our that Sinh Cafe does not conduct the tour themselves but merely sell them and "sub contract" to a "consolidator". The boat trip was quite scenic but the walk to the "main pagoda" up the steep and slippery slope (of slate and stone) was not worth it. It was a gruelling 1 hour walk and unless you are fit and have a pair of good shoes, good luck for you. The view uo there was not worth the climb. Lunch was served after the climb and I must say that it was one of the worst I ever had in Hanoi. After lunch we visited the temple nearby and it was a real pity that the whole place was neglected. There were no lighting and the guide's knowledge of the place was almost zero. AFter the boat ride back, beware of the boat lady who demand a "small tip" It was supposed to...

DVD/CD Alley

by huephubai

Within Saigon's many shopping districts, there are several DVD/CD stores. I cannot remember the exact street name, but it should be easy to find. They litterly line the streets up with back-to-back stores similar to each other. Buyer beware! Although they are cheap to purchase (the DVD's & CD's) make sure you choose the proper Region Code for your area. Some are maked with this code while others are not. The friendly workers there will be quick to tell you that they all should operate fine. Ha! When you get them home, you may find otherwise. Some of the DVD's were simply copied at a local theatre with some person using a video camera. You can even see the shadows of the operators. It's a laugh for sure. Others are simple too garbled to be viewed with any interest. You will find the latest titles there and some not yet released here in the states. It's tempting and the price is right for...

Hoi An - a tourist trap?

by steevie_wanders

Hoi An is a beautiful old colonial style town. Maybe it is a tourist trap, but it is still well worth visiting. Many people have clothes made here, and there are many fine restaurants in and around this area to try local specialities like 'Cao Lau'. yum. Go and visit the orphanage on D. Nguyen Truong To. The kids are lovely and enjoy spending even a little time with someone. Fresh fruit always appreciated. Visit Cua Dai beach and walk as far North as you feel like until you just have the beach to yourself!

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Buon Ma Thout

by pathfinder26

I was up in the Central Highland town of Buon Ma Thuot. Dreadful place. If you want off the beaten tourist path, this place is for you. I took a tour of the falls and an ethnic villiage. Cost was $60 for a half day. yikes ! Oh yea, they are the only tour co in town Go to Dalat

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Cyclos are not a cheap way to travel

by Ronaweigh

When in Saigon we were allways being hassled by the local Cyclos the one time we used them it cost considerably more than a Moto .Beware Allways arrange the price before you start on your journey make sure it is an agreed price . Also there is a lot of places cyclos are not allowed to go to. make sure of your address and be aware that cyclos get a kickback from places they want to take you to. Motos are on just about every corner and are a lot cheaper alternative and a lot quicker if you have the address in Vietnamese of where you want to get to then it is so much easier.

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VISA Ripp Off

by 1W1V

As there is no VN embassy in Jordan, I decided to pick-up the visa in Brussels.The consular section of the VN embassy in Brussels in only open on Mon, Wed and Fri from 14.00 till 16.00 !!!!The price for a visa is one month one entry 62 Euros (approx 80 USD). If you want a three months multiple entry, the price is 124 Euros. The time needed to get your visa approuval is one week. You need it sooner, you have to add an extra 25 euros.So imagine if you need a same day multiple entry tourist visa, it will cost you 149 Euros.I believe it is a ripp-off for a country who wants to catch up a part tourist traveling in SE Asia. Much cheaper to pick-up your visa in Bangkok !!

plastic does not just disappear

by richiecdisc

We were excited to take the bus trip over the Hai Van or Sea Cloud Pass as it was described as having incredible views and though they were indeed present, we had not counted on all the debris left behind by the mounting tourists that cross it in ever increasing numbers each year. The winding road climbs nearly 500 meters, offering views of the South China Sea and Truong Mountains, before the touristy bus stop at the top is reached. Of course, there is every type of souvenir to be found as well as a multitude of snacks. The vendors chase the tourists and the tourists leave the remains of their spoils. It might be all good fun if the entrepreneurs would clean up the mess but it seems to be just piling up.

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Get stuff on your feet, not through tour agency

by we2364

I have had a wonderful trip around SE Asia as people are extremely friendly and travel is so easy. Till this last stop, I was trapped only here. I am kind of rush for getting back to China by taking the train connected between Hanoi and Nanning (a capitcal city of Guangxi Province). As I think all tour agencies I tried before are quite reliable and honest, I simply ask the guesthouse(Prince 57, which is highly also not recommended because of their unpleasant service as well) for the train ticket. The young lady is still quite helpful for telling me its schedule, price and other issues(it is difficult to book, as she explains). And I think it seems quite easy for me, so I just book from their office by paying the deposit(they ask me how much I want to pay and I am too nice or silly to pay half of it). However, when I get the ticket, I notice I paid extra 12 dollars comparing to the actual...

Post Card (and other stuff) Sellers

by galy

% Almost everywhere mostly children, but grownups as well will approach you and try to sell you postcards and other hings. It surprising how their attitude is different from place to place. Some will start a coversation in good and polite english, ask about your trip, tell you about themselves, and only after a while, will offe you their goods.Others will come straight forward, shove it in your face and nag, nag, nag... Our worst experience was at HaiVan pass. We couldn't get rid of them until we took off If you don't want to buy, a firm "NO" will work most of the times. Ocasionaly we baught some thing(it cost pennies and some things are nice).

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Tourist Attractions in Vietnam

Top 3 Hotels in Vietnam

Park Hyatt Saigon  Ho Chi Minh City

 5 Reviews and 438 Opinions  All rooms offer pool of City views with full luxury amenities. As true sense 5- Star hotel, it is... 

 Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City

Hanoi Elegance 2  Hanoi

 5 Reviews and 712 Opinions  I booked our family sized room for 2 adults and our teenage daughter direct with the hotel from... 

 Hotels in Hanoi

Victoria Hoi An Resort  Hoi An

 4 Reviews and 444 Opinions  It's worth the money to stay and enjoy the beach like in Victoria Hoi An. Price from 150$++ public... 

 Hotels in Hoi An

1,154 Hotels in Vietnam
 
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Reviews and photos of Vietnam attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Vietnam sightseeing.

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Tourist Traps: Cities in Vietnam
  1. Ho Chi Minh City Tourist Traps
  2. Hanoi Tourist Traps
  3. Hoi An Tourist Traps
  4. Nha Trang Tourist Traps
  5. Hue Tourist Traps
  6. Da Lat Tourist Traps
  7. Da Nang Tourist Traps
  8. Sapa Tourist Traps
  9. Ha Long Tourist Traps
  10. Vung Tau Tourist Traps
  11. Can Tho Tourist Traps
  12. Sa Pa Tourist Traps
  13. My Tho Tourist Traps
  14. Ninh Binh Tourist Traps
  15. Cu Chi Tourist Traps
  16. Lao Cai Tourist Traps
  17. Phum O Mekong Tourist Traps

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Popular Regions in Vietnam

Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh Tourist Traps  Thu Do Ha Noi Tourist Traps  Tinh Quang Nam Tourist Traps  Tinh Khanh Hoa Tourist Traps  Tinh Lao Cai Tourist Traps  Tinh Thua Thien-Hue Tourist Traps  Tinh Kien Giang Tourist Traps  Tinh Da Nang Tourist Traps  Tinh Lam Dong Tourist Traps  Tinh Quang Ninh Tourist Traps  Tinh Binh Thuan Tourist Traps  Tinh Ba Ria-Vung Tau Tourist Traps  Tinh Can Tho Tourist Traps  Thanh Pho Hai Phong Tourist Traps 

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Questions and Answers

suzeb profile photo

Q:  could someone please help? where can i buy ao dai (preferably well made and silk) for my grand-daughters, they are only 2-3... 

pfsmalo profile photo

A: Loads of places in both cities to buy Ao Dai either already made or to measure. For the small extra cost, have them made to measure and take the mesurements before going... 

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