Common Tourist Scams in Ho Chi Minh City
Overview
HCMC is generally safe but motorbike snatching and cyclo scams catch tourists off guard. Keep phones/bags on the side away from traffic.
Scams to watch for
Motorbike Bag Snatching
Motorcyclists snatch bags and phones from pedestrians or people on foot. Keep bags on the inner shoulder (away from the road), never dangle from one arm near traffic.
Cyclo / Xe Om Scam
Cyclo (bicycle taxi) drivers quote low prices then demand 10x more at the end. Always use Grab instead — fixed prices, no drama.
Shoe Shine Scam
Someone starts polishing your shoes without asking then demands €10-20. Walk away as soon as someone touches your shoes uninvited.
Counterfeit Currency
Check larger notes (200,000 and 500,000 dong) carefully. Use ATMs inside banks. Some vendors try to offload fake notes as change.
Overpriced Restaurant Menus
Tourist menus near Bui Vien Walking Street can be 3-5x local prices. Walk one block back from main tourist streets for genuine local prices.