Question 1

What is the "Fake Royal Tomb Tour Tickets" scam in Hue?

Accepted Answer

Street vendors and unofficial guides near the Hue Citadel sell counterfeit or heavily marked-up tickets to the royal tombs of Tu Duc, Minh Mang, and Khai Dinh. Travelers arrive at ticket gates to find invalid tickets or are forced to buy legitimate ones at double the price. Purchase tomb tickets directly at each tomb entrance or through your hotel. Do not buy from street vendors or unofficial guides. Verify ticket prices with your hotel concierge beforehand. Use only official guides hired through established tour companies.

Question 2

What is the "Unofficial Guide Demand at Thien Mu Pagoda" scam in Hue?

Accepted Answer

Men posing as official guides or temple volunteers approach visitors at the entrance to Thien Mu Pagoda and offer to explain the history of the seven-story Phuoc Duyen Tower and the surrounding grounds. Once the informal tour ends, they demand a substantial cash payment and become aggressive when visitors decline or offer a small tip. The pagoda itself charges no admission fee, which the fake guides never mention. Enter the pagoda grounds without engaging anyone who approaches you proactively outside the gate. Use a guidebook or downloaded audio guide if you want context. If approached, firmly state you are not interested before they begin speaking.

Question 3

What is the "Overpriced Boat Tour on the Perfume River" scam in Hue?

Accepted Answer

Dragon boat operators outside the Thien Mu Pagoda quote prices for a Perfume River tour, then add charges for each temple stop along the river that were not disclosed upfront. Book Perfume River boat tours through your hotel or a licensed agency. Ask for an all-inclusive price with a full list of stops before boarding.

Tour & Activity Scams in Hue

Fake Royal Tomb Tour Tickets

Unofficial Guide Demand at Thien Mu Pagoda

Overpriced Boat Tour on the Perfume River

Experienced a scam here?