Question 1

What is the "Fake Hotel Social Media Booking" scam in Ho Chi Minh City?

Accepted Answer

Scammers create cloned Facebook pages and websites that impersonate well-known District 1 hotels such as the Majestic Saigon on Dong Khoi Street or the Rex Hotel on Nguyen Hue Boulevard, using stolen photos and near-identical names. They advertise heavily discounted rooms and request a 30–50% deposit transferred to a personal bank account. Once payment is made, the booking confirmation is fake and the hotel has no record of the reservation. Book exclusively through the hotel's official website or established platforms such as Booking.com or Agoda. Never transfer a deposit to a personal account — legitimate hotels accept payment at check-in or through secure payment gateways. Cross-check the page's creation date and follower history before trusting it.

Question 2

What is the "Taxi Driver Hotel Redirect" scam in Ho Chi Minh City?

Accepted Answer

Taxi and xe om drivers collected from Tan Son Nhat Airport or the bus terminal on Mien Dong Street tell newly arrived tourists that their booked hotel is closed, full, under renovation, or has changed its name. The driver then offers to take them to a "better" alternative hotel where he earns a commission of up to 50% of the room rate from the owner. Confirm your hotel is open via its official website before travelling and show the address to the driver in writing. Contact your accommodation directly if a driver raises doubts. Use Grab rather than street taxis from the airport.

Accommodation Scams in Ho Chi Minh City

Fake Hotel Social Media Booking

Taxi Driver Hotel Redirect

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