Money & ATM Scams in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Card skimming, currency exchange fraud, dynamic currency conversion, and cash cons. Below are the money & atm scams scams reported in Ho Chi Minh City — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Lombok, Kampot, and Mandalay.
Last updated: April 6, 2026
3
Money & ATM Scams Scams
18
Total in Ho Chi Minh City
How it works
When tourists hand over a 500,000 VND note to pay at market stalls, street food vendors, or souvenir shops, the vendor palms the note and substitutes a 20,000 VND note — which is visually similar in colour — then claims the tourist gave the wrong denomination. The difference represents roughly USD 20, which is significant for a single transaction.
How it works
Card skimming devices have been reported on standalone ATMs in tourist areas of District 1, particularly machines located on quiet side streets away from bank branches. Criminals attach a card reader overlay to the slot and a pinhole camera or overlay keypad to capture PIN entries. Fraudulent withdrawals typically appear within 24–48 hours.
How it works
Street touts near Ben Thanh Market and along Bui Vien Street offer USD-to-VND exchange rates slightly better than bank rates to attract tourists. Techniques include miscounting the Vietnamese dong stack, folding notes to hide the true quantity, or slipping in old or torn notes that local shops will refuse.
See all scams in Ho Chi Minh City
18 total warnings across all categories