Question 1

What is the "Coin Collector Scam at Royal Tombs" scam in Hue?

Accepted Answer

Vendors outside Hue's royal tombs (Tu Duc, Minh Mang, Khai Dinh) claim to be coin collectors and offer to trade or buy your foreign coins, then swap them for worthless counterfeits in a sleight-of-hand exchange. Politely decline all coin exchange requests near tourist sites. Keep your coins and wallet secured and out of sight.

Question 2

What is the "Counterfeit Antiques at Dong Ba Market" scam in Hue?

Accepted Answer

Vendors inside and around Dong Ba Market sell reproduced ceramics, bronze figurines, and coins falsely presented as genuine Nguyen dynasty antiques. Items are artificially aged with stains or surface treatments and priced to seem like legitimate finds. Export of genuine Vietnamese antiques is legally restricted, so buyers who are deceived discover the problem only after attempting appraisal or customs inspection. Do not purchase any item sold as an antique unless you have a certificate of origin and understand Vietnamese export law. Assume all market antiques are reproductions — buy them as decorative souvenirs at a price you are comfortable with, not as investments.

Question 3

What is the "No Change Trick" scam in Hue?

Accepted Answer

Small vendors and street food stalls claim they have no change for large notes, forcing you to either overpay or abandon the purchase — sometimes keeping your large note regardless. Break large notes at convenience stores (Circle K, FamilyMart) or banks before shopping. Only hand over notes close to the purchase price.

Street Scams in Hue

Coin Collector Scam at Royal Tombs

Counterfeit Antiques at Dong Ba Market

No Change Trick

Experienced a scam here?