Vietnam forum

I had a very similar experience: people quoting us prices in US dollars and then trying to tell us that $1 = 30,000 dong, taxi drivers taking the very long way to our destination (i.e. the walk back to our hotel from HCM's mausoleum was faster than the drive), the bill always being incorrect in restaurants, having items rung up twice at grocery shops, and just general unpleasantness.

Stunning physical geography though.

I had no problems the times I have been... in fact I love the place

The occasions that we were being asked to buy stuff we smiled and said "no thanks" - the first time it may not have worked, but stand your ground at it will.

As for being overcharged in Halong - did you pay it?

If you learn to recognize the touts right away and remember to always, always agree on the price in advance it's easy enough to avoid most scams when you travel.

However, I found it very, very frustrating that so many people were making an effort to rip me off in Vietnam. It doesn't feel good to go to a new country with an open mind and feel like the locals instantly label you as an easy target. No one likes being taken advantage of.

For example, I went into a small restaurant in Hanoi with my boyfriend and ordered 2 bottles of Coke. There was a giant sign on the wall with the drink prices written in marker as 6,000 Dong for a coke. When we finished our drinks and gave the staff 12,000 Dong they said that our bill was 30,000 Dong.

We had been in Vietnam for a few weeks already and were well aware that the standard price for a small Coke is 6,000 D, definitely not 15,000D. We pointed at the signs stating the price (there were more than 1) and the staff member simply shook his head no and asked for 30,000D.

What is one to do in that situation? Arguing rarely accomplishes anything other than making all parties involved angrier.

I can't think of any option that would leave me feeling good about this experience. You could pay the full amount knowing that you're being ripped off or pay the 12,000D that the bill should be and feel like a jerk - after all, the "extra" amount is less than $1 US.

I'm a seasoned traveler and this has happened to me before (the price has been agreed on, when it's time to pay more is demanded), and my strategy is generally to meet them in the middle and leave. I seem to recall we paid 20,000D and left.

I know there are some wonderful Vietnamese people out there (I have met plenty!), but my travels in Vietnam really gave me bad feelings about the country.

not sure what your point is here thomasx...

Posted from within Vietnam.

You foreign travellers need to rebook before going to everywhere and have a tourist-guide is the most important thing to get away from ripping off .