Vietnam forum

When you get to the airport use Mail Linh taxi service. There is a taxi rank to your left as you leave the arrivals area. Mai Linh has announcement in English when you enter the cab. Inmy experience they are the most honest cabs in Saigon.

Whether in Saigon or Bangkok you should only take taxis that are metered. And don't forget to look and make sure they've turned the meter on!

Good call by NYTim on Mai Linh - it's a big, reputable taxi company, and generally the most honest in my experience as well.

It's true that there are all kinds of scams involving taxis in Saigon and Hanoi. Some metered taxis are "disguised" to look like the bigger companies, and the meters in those cabs charge more money or run more quickly. Many sketchy taxi drivers will also drive you in loops and take you "the long way" to get some extra money.

Unfortunately, there's little you can do to avoid small time scams like that. In my experience, the best thing to do when I know I'm being scammed for what comes out to be no more than a US$ dollar or two is to just cough up the money and forget about it. There's really no point in getting all worked up over such little money, especially if you're not absolutely certain that you're even correct.

In the case that you do find yourself in a taxi (or any other form of transport like a mini bus or shuttle) that's not metered, make absolutely certain to negotiate the price before hand in very, very clear terms. Many drivers in Vietnam will quote unsuspecting tourists at, say, 40,000 dong, but then demand 400,000 upon reaching the destination. This is very common, so make sure you have a good feel for the exchange rate!

My solution is to avoid cabs as much as possible - I need the exercise anyway, and I enjoy walking. On the rare occasion when I really need a cab, I am very careful to only use Mai Linh. I usually have my hotel meet my flight or train - a nice way to arrive with a welcome sign with one's name on it.

Posted from within Vietnam.

I don't completely agree with that. Unless you know what price the taxi should be it's a bit risky to ask the price in advance. The best option is to get a reputable meter taxi - there are plenty of others (in my experience) beyond Mai Linh but to keep it simple, stick with them.The only time I agree a price in advance is if it's late at night, when reputable taxis are in short supply, or early in the morning from the train station, or getting to / from the airport.

Posted from within Vietnam.

I highly recommend you should take Mai Linh. It's one of the major taxi companies in Vietnam. Mai Linh is popular in every place in the country. In Hochi Minh city, you have another choice as good as Mai Linh that is Vinasun.

When I was in HCMC I almost always used Vinasun. Not because I didn't want to use Mai Linh it is just that Vinasun taxis seemed to be wherever I looked. Plus they have guys standing in a lot of places that will radio a taxi in for you if you are finding it hard to find a free one (which can happen at night).

Always use the meter. If you use Mai Linh or Vinasun it shouldn't be a problem anyway. I never got the impression that the drivers wanted to rip me off.