For newcomers to Vietnam, it can be a bit daunting to navigate the nation’s sprawling urban centers. To make it easier for foreign tourists, taxi is always available at any time. However, there are kinds of taxi scams that you should be aware of. Here are the very useful tips for cheap and safe taxi rides in Vietnam. Let’s check it!
Take the taxi from reputed companies – Safe taxi rides in Vietnam
Mai Linh and Vinasun are the two most reputable taxis recommended by both tourists came to Vietnam and the locals. Fake taxis can be in many travel destinations in the world, not only in Vietnam. So, remember carefully the real taxis logos so as not to jump on the fake ones.
Why is taking a real taxi important? Because reputed taxis operators have customer service departments. It is more convenient for foreign tourists in case of any problems may occur such as complaints or missing things on a cab.
Tips:
- Drivers from top companies wear a button up shirt with a tie, clearly displaying their name tag. While the private taxi drivers do not.
- The real taxis always have driver’s ID inside the car while the private/fake taxis only have the meter counter.
- Ask the driver to reset the meter counter when you get on the car.
- Take a picture of details on the car right after stepping into a cab in case anything goes wrong.
Real taxis still have ways to cheat on tourists?
As a tourist, you do not know exactly the route. So as not to be cheated, you should bring a smartphone with GPS to search for the correct address and distance. Google Maps can help you to know whether the driver is driving around to charge you more or not. If you realize that he tends to go on the wrong way, just tell him that you know the way and that you have a map.
Grab is now a very popular transportation service in Vietnam. So it can be more convenient and safer for tourists to use it instead of original taxis. All you have to do is to search for the destination and wait for drivers come to your place and pick you up. You will not have to pay any extra fees except for the estimated fee displayed on the Grab app.
Always take an eye on the meter counter
Some drivers can cheat you by the number showed on the counter. The number is the amount that you have to pay in Vietnam Dong. If it shows 15.0, it means 15,000 VND (~$0.7). If there is another guest get off from that taxi, remember to close the door and open it again before get in. By doing that, the counter will be reset and start counting for the new route.
Some fake and private taxis use trick by setting dodgy meters inside the cabs. So, if you find something wrong, the counter run faster than usual, ask the driver to stop immediately and get off the car.
Other tips – Safe taxi rides in Vietnam
- Check out all the belongings before leaving a taxi. If you lost something, don’t be panic but to call the taxi coordinator immediately and report what you have lost. In this case, the picture of driver’s ID that you took when get in the car really works.
- If the driver is good and helpful, tip him $2 to encourage and thank his hard work.
- Do not accept any offer for a tour or restaurants from drivers. Because they can take you to expensive restaurants to get commission.
