Question 1

What is the "Fake Travel Insurance Claim Rejection" scam in Vientiane?

Accepted Answer

Travel insurance vendors (both legitimate and fraudulent) sell policies to backpackers, but many policies contain exclusions or require pre-approval for certain activities. Travelers file claims for medical or theft incidents, only to be rejected. Predatory vendors use vague wording to deny legitimate claims. This particularly affects budget travelers purchasing cheap online policies before arrival in Vientiane. Read all insurance policy fine print carefully, especially exclusions and activity restrictions. Purchase from reputable, licensed insurers (not from sketchy local agents). Contact insurers before making claims to confirm eligibility. Keep all receipts and medical records to support claims.

Question 2

What is the "Fake Temple Donation Collector at Wat Si Saket" scam in Vientiane?

Accepted Answer

Individuals posing as monks or temple volunteers approach tourists outside Wat Si Saket and Haw Phra Kaew on Setthathirath Road, soliciting cash donations for temple restoration or offering to perform a blessing for a "suggested donation." The amounts requested escalate once the tourist engages. Ordained monks in Laos do not solicit cash directly from tourists, and any monk doing so at a tourist site is almost certainly operating a scam. Do not give cash directly to anyone claiming to be a monk soliciting donations outside a temple. Legitimate temple donations are made inside the temple via donation boxes. If you wish to make an offering, purchase flowers, incense, or candles from the official temple stall.

Other Tourist Scams in Vientiane

Fake Travel Insurance Claim Rejection

Fake Temple Donation Collector at Wat Si Saket

Experienced a scam here?