Question 1

What is the "Fake Online Tour Agency" scam in Ho Chi Minh City?

Accepted Answer

Scammers create professional-looking Facebook pages and websites impersonating well-known Ho Chi Minh City tour operators offering Mekong Delta day trips, Cu Chi Tunnels tours, and Halong Bay packages at 30–40% below standard market rates. They request full payment or a non-refundable deposit to a personal bank account before any booking confirmation is issued. On the day of the tour, no vehicle arrives and the page is deleted. Book tours directly with licensed operators whose physical office address you can verify — reputable agencies on Pham Ngu Lao Street and De Tham Street have storefronts you can visit. Never pay to a personal account; legitimate agencies accept payment in person or via official merchant accounts. Check that the operator holds a government-issued tourism business licence.

Question 2

What is the "Fake Visa and Travel Document Service" scam in Ho Chi Minh City?

Accepted Answer

Websites and social media accounts advertise Vietnam e-visa assistance, visa extensions, or entry permits at inflated fees, claiming to be official government services. Some collect personal passport scans and payment but deliver nothing. Others submit applications but charge service fees 5–10 times higher than the official government fee, with no mention of the markup. Apply for Vietnam e-visas exclusively through the official government portal at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. Do not use third-party services that appear in social media advertisements. If you need a visa extension inside Vietnam, use only licensed immigration agencies with a verifiable office address.

Online Scams in Ho Chi Minh City

Fake Online Tour Agency

Fake Visa and Travel Document Service

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