Tour & Activity Scams in Hanoi, Vietnam
Unlicensed guides, fake tickets, bait-and-switch excursions, and ticket scalping. Below are the tour & activities scams reported in Hanoi — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Lombok, Palawan, and Mandalay.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
2
Tour & Activities Scams
10
Total in Hanoi
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.
See all scams in Hanoi
10 total warnings across all categories