There has been an increase in reports about a scam in Hanoi International Airport (Noi Bai Airport). I thought I should share it here with our readers to be warned.
The scam goes like this:
You’ve booked Hotel ‘A’ and made arrangement to be picked up by a driver from Noi Bai Airport. When you exit from the airport, you’ll be looking out for a man, the driver, and a sign with your name on it. But what the scammer does is to copy your name from the real driver and stand in front of him. Then, when you identify yourself, that scumbag will drive you off to Hotel ‘B’ instead, claiming that Hotel ‘A’ is fully booked and that Hotel ‘B’ is a sister hotel, or under the same company.
Two things may happen to you from here:
1. In the middle of the journey, the driver will ask for the pick-up fee which will be a lot higher than normal. If you refuse to pay, he may use scare tactics by raising his voice or stopping in the middle of nowhere until you agree to pay.
2. Hotel ‘B’ will be much lower in standard than your booked Hotel ‘A’ but yet you are charged a lot more.
Please be warned and inform your friends about it. Read also about scam in Saigon Vietnam.
Do you have similar or other experiences with scams? Leave a comment below and share so that we can all take note in future.
Hey Ben, In the April 2010 issue of Nat.Geo. Traveler there is an article on the 1000 year anniversary of Hanoi.
Do you feel it will be worth including a trip to Hanoi for the festivities this Sep/Oct.
Just curious for your opinion, since your are the man on the ground.
Thanks, EJ
Ben, Here is the link,
http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2010/04/48-hour-guide/hanoi-text
Hey EJ, anything that’s 100 years old is already special- not to mention that Hanoi is celebrating its 1000th anniversary. So , yeah, I believe it’s gonna be worth it. There’ll be BIG celebrations everywhere and even for up to 10 days, starting from 1st Oct to the actual day on the 10th.
Just do note to book your accomodation early. Have fun!