Hanoi Scams to Avoid in 2026 (Vietnam)
Hanoi's Old Quarter is a hub for fake travel agencies selling counterfeit Halong Bay tours, shoe-shining scams, and xe om (motorbike taxi) overcharging.
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Last updated: April 2, 2026
Fake Halong Bay Tour Agency
The Old Quarter is full of travel agencies selling "budget" Halong Bay cruises that bear no resemblance to what was advertised. Boats are dirty, food is poor quality, and hidden fees appear throughout the trip.
📍Travel agencies on Hang Bac Street, Dinh Liet Street, and Ma May Street in the Old Quarter, and cheaper agencies near Hanoi train station on Le Duan Street, Hanoi
How to avoid: Book Halong Bay tours only through well-reviewed agencies with TripAdvisor certificates and clear cancellation policies. Visit the agency in person, inspect sample itineraries, and read recent reviews dated within 3 months.
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High Risk
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Medium Risk
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Low Risk
Hanoi · Vietnam · Southeast Asia
Open map →📍Where These Scams Are Most Active in Hanoi
Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents.
Fake Halong Bay Tour Agency
Travel agencies on Hang Bac Street, Dinh Liet Street, and Ma May Street in the Old Quarter, and cheaper agencies near Hanoi train station on Le Duan Street, Hanoi
Fake Ha Long Bay Tour Office
Budget travel agency strip on Hang Bac Street and Dinh Liet Street in the Old Quarter, and guesthouse notice boards throughout the Hoan Kiem Lake backpacker zone, Hanoi
Hoan Kiem Lake Cyclo Overcharge
The south and east banks of Hoan Kiem Lake (Dinh Tien Hoang Street), outside the Ngoc Son Temple entrance, and near the Huc Bridge on the lake's eastern side, Old Quarter, Hanoi
Old Quarter Shoe Repair Ambush
Footpaths around Hoan Kiem Lake (Dinh Tien Hoang Street), the walking streets of the Old Quarter on weekends (Hang Dao, Hang Ngang, Dong Xuan area), and outside the Temple of Literature on Quoc Tu Giam Street, Hanoi
Street Vendor Weighing Scam
Around the south and west banks of Hoan Kiem Lake (Dinh Tien Hoang Street and Le Thai To Street), outside the main Ngoc Son Temple gate, and along the Old Quarter weekend walking street on Hang Dao Street, Hanoi
Fake Train Ticket from Hanoi to Hue
Travel agencies clustered on Hang Bac Street, Dinh Liet Street, and Luong Van Can Street in the Old Quarter, Hanoi; also around the Hanoi train station on Le Duan Street
These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
Street-level scams are most common in Hanoi
3 documented street scams target tourists near major attractions. Unsolicited approaches, "free" gifts, and distraction techniques are the main patterns — confidence and pace help.
How it works
The Old Quarter is full of travel agencies selling "budget" Halong Bay cruises that bear no resemblance to what was advertised. Boats are dirty, food is poor quality, and hidden fees appear throughout the trip.
How it works
Budget tour offices in Hanoi's Old Quarter sell Ha Long Bay cruises at low prices that use unlicensed, poorly maintained boats with substandard safety equipment or operators that don't match the booking.
How it works
Cyclo (rickshaw) drivers near Hoan Kiem Lake quote low prices verbally then demand 10× the amount at the destination, sometimes refusing to continue or blocking exit until payment is made.
How it works
While walking in the Old Quarter, individuals crouch and begin polishing or "repairing" tourists' shoes without permission, then demand large payments for the unsolicited service.
How it works
Women carrying fruit baskets on shoulder poles invite tourists to try carrying the baskets for a photo. Once on your shoulders, the vendor demands a large fee for the photo and for touching the goods. Refusal leads to a scene.
How it works
Unofficial travel agents in the Old Quarter sell overpriced train tickets or tickets for inferior classes than advertised. Some sell duplicate tickets for the same seat.
How it works
Unofficial motorbike taxi (xe om) drivers cluster outside the arrival hall at Noi Bai International Airport and quote fares that are five to ten times higher than the metered rate into central Hanoi. The driver may agree to a price, then demand extra payment upon arrival citing "bridge tolls" or "luggage fees" that were never mentioned. Some drivers take indirect routes to inflate the journey time.
How it works
Vendors at Dong Xuan Market and the surrounding streets show tourists high-quality sample goods — branded electronics, clothing, or silk — but swap them for inferior counterfeits during packaging. Payment is collected before the swap is discovered, and vendors deny any substitution. In some cases, the stall vacates the area immediately after the transaction.
How it works
Tourists sitting at popular street food and bia hoi (cheap draft beer) corners in the Old Quarter are sometimes charged 5–10x local prices. Bills appear with items never ordered and haggling is met with hostility.
How it works
Certain bia hoi (street beer) spots in the Old Quarter have two price systems: local prices and tourist prices that are 5–10× higher, applied based on appearance. Bills sometimes include items not ordered.
Hanoi Safety — Frequently Asked Questions
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If you're visiting more than one destination
Similar scam patterns are active across the Southeast Asia region. Before visiting Mandalay, Bali, and Manila, review each city's guide — tactics vary and local setups differ even for the same scam type.
Editorial note: Scam warnings for Hanoi are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →