Fake Taxi Scams in Vietnam

One of the most common scams encountered by tourists in Vietnam is the “fake taxi” scam. These scams can take various forms, leading unwary travelers to overpay or even be robbed.

Unlicensed Taxis and Price Gouging

Unlicensed taxis often operate without meters and charge exorbitant prices, especially for tourists, particularly at airports, train stations, and popular tourist spots. They may also take you on a longer route than necessary to increase the fare.

Here are some tips to avoid falling victim to this scam:

• Choose licensed taxis: Look for legitimate taxis with clearly visible license plates and company logos.
• Use reputable ride-hailing apps: In Vietnam, services like Grab and SM Xanh taxi offer safe and affordable alternatives to traditional taxis.
• Negotiate prices beforehand: If you choose to take a street taxi, make sure you negotiate the fare before entering the vehicle.
• Ask for a receipt: Request a receipt after the ride to have proof of the fare in case of any disputes.

Fake Taxi Drivers and Stolen Belongings

Another variation of the fake taxi scam involves fake taxi drivers. These individuals may pose as legitimate taxi drivers to gain the trust of tourists. They might then lead you to a desolate area or divert you to a fake hotel, where they can rob you. Be extra cautious if a taxi driver tries to steer you away from your intended destination, especially if they offer a seemingly “good deal.”

Here’s how to protect yourself:

• Avoid taxis that approach you unsolicited: Be wary of drivers who flag you down or try to entice you with cheap fares.
• Check the taxi’s registration: Make sure the license plates and company details are clearly visible and match the taxi company you’re looking for.
• Trust your instincts: If you feel uncomfortable or suspicious about a driver, don’t hesitate to decline their services.

Overcharging at Tourist Attractions

Vietnam is home to many magnificent attractions, but unfortunately, some vendors within these sites may try to overcharge tourists for goods and services.

Overpriced Souvenirs and Food Stalls

Souvenir stalls at popular tourist attractions often inflate their prices for foreign visitors. Tourists are often unaware of the actual cost of these items and may end up paying significantly more than locals. Food stalls near tourist sites can also engage in overcharging tactics. While local street food is generally affordable, vendors near tourist attractions may inflate their rates for tourists.

Here’s how to avoid overpaying:

• Research prices in advance: Before visiting a tourist site, browse online forums or travel blogs to get an idea of typical prices for souvenirs and food items.
• Visit local markets: You can often find similar souvenirs at much lower prices in local markets, away from the tourist trap areas.
• Negotiate with vendors: Don’t be afraid to negotiate prices with vendors, especially for souvenirs.
• Be mindful of “tourist-specific” menus: Some food stalls may have a separate “tourist menu” with inflated prices. Ask for the regular menu or observe what locals are ordering.

Entrance Fees and Hidden Charges

Some tourist sites might charge additional fees beyond the entrance fee. These extra fees can be for things like photos, audio guides, or locker rentals. These fees may not be explicitly communicated, and tourists may be caught off guard by these additional charges.

Here’s what you can do:

• Check online for information on entry fees and extra charges: Most tourist sites have information about entrance fees on their websites, TripAdvisor, or other travel platforms.
• Purchase your tickets in advance: This can often be cheaper than buying them at the entrance, and you can avoid queuing.
• Inquire about additional fees upfront: Don’t assume you’re covered by the entrance fee. Ask explicitly if there are any extra charges for services or activities.

Counterfeit Goods and Shopping Scams

Vietnam is notorious for its abundance of counterfeit goods. Although there are many legitimate shops selling genuine items, tourists need to be cautious when shopping, especially in tourist areas.

Fake Designer Goods and Technology

Counterfeit goods, particularly designer bags, watches, and electronics, are widespread in Vietnam. These goods are often sold at significantly lower prices than genuine items, enticing tourists into buying them. The quality of counterfeits can vary greatly, but it’s generally poor and can quickly break down or malfunction.

Here’s how to avoid buying fakes:

• Shop at reputable stores: Choose stores with a good reputation and positive reviews from other tourists.
• Be wary of prices that are too good to be true: If a designer bag is being sold for a drastically lower price than you’d expect, it’s likely a counterfeit.
• Check for authenticity labels: Genuine goods often have specific labels, tags, or markings. Ask questions about the item’s origin and authenticity.
• Avoid haggling excessively: A ridiculously low price can indicate a counterfeit product.

“Fake Diamond” Scams

Another common scam involves convincing tourists to buy so-called “diamonds” that turn out to be worthless imitations. Street vendors may offer a “deal” and then attempt to pressure you into buying a seemingly valuable gemstone. However, these stones are usually cheap glass or crystal, which can be easily identified with a simple test.

Here’s how to protect yourself:

• Don’t buy gemstones from street vendors: Purchase diamonds or other precious stones only from reputable jewelers.
• Ask for a certificate of authenticity: A reputable jeweler should be able to provide a certificate confirming the authenticy of the gemstone.
• Don’t be pressured into buying: If a vendor is pressuring you or giving you a hard time, walk away.

Motorbike Rental Scams

Renting a motorbike in Vietnam can be a fun and convenient way to explore the country at your own pace. However, it’s essential to be aware of rental scams that can leave you out of pocket.

Damage Deductions and Hidden Fees

Motorbike rental companies often have hidden fees or charge excessive damage deductions. They may try to claim minor scratches or dents as pre-existing damage, even if you didn’t cause them. They may also charge a daily fee for helmets, despite claiming it was included in the initial price.

Here are some tips to avoid falling victim to these scams:

• Inspect the motorbike thoroughly: Before signing the rental agreement, carefully inspect the motorbike for any existing damage. Take photos of all scuffs, scratches, or dents and ensure they are documented on the rental agreement.
• Read the rental contract carefully: Thoroughly read the terms and conditions of the rental agreement to understand the damage deduction policy, fuel costs, and any other hidden fees.
• Negotiate beforehand: Don’t be afraid to negotiate the rental price and damage deductions before agreeing to the contract.
• Get a receipt: Ask for a receipt after paying to have proof of the rental agreement in case of any disputes.

Stolen Motorbike Scams

In some cases, rental companies may provide a motorbike that has been reported stolen, leaving you responsible for its recovery.

To minimize this risk:

• Rent from reputable companies: Choose well-established rental companies with positive reviews from other travelers.
• Take photos of the motorbike’s registration papers: This can be helpful in case of any issues with the police.
• Keep your personal belongings secure: Don’t leave valuables on the motorbike, and always lock it securely when leaving it unattended.

Pickpocketing and Bag Snatching

As in any tourist-heavy location, petty theft, pickpocketing, and bag snatching are a concern in Vietnam. These crimes are more common in busy areas, especially in crowded markets, public transport, and tourist attractions.

Staying Vigilant and Aware of Surroundings

It’s crucial to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings at all times. Avoid displaying your belongings ostentatiously, and keep valuable items like your phone, wallet, and passport close to your body and concealed under your clothing.

To protect your belongings:

• Keep valuables close: Secure your wallet, phone, and passport in your front pockets or a secure bag worn across your body.
• Be aware of your surroundings: Pay attention to your surroundings, especially in crowded areas.
• Use reputable money belts and bags: Consider using a money belt or a secure travel bag that’s difficult to access for thieves.
• Don’t use your phone in public: Avoid using your phone in crowded areas, especially if you’re holding it in your hands.

Distraction Tactics

Thieves often use distractions to target tourists. They may try to distract you with a question, a spilled drink, or a sudden commotion, creating an opportunity to pilfer your belongings.

Here’s how to stay safe:

• Be cautious of strangers approaching you: If someone approaches you with a question or a story, be wary, especially if they’re trying to get you to move away from your belongings.
• Don’t engage with people who are obviously trying to distract you: If someone spills something on you or creates a commotion near you, make sure your belongings are secure.
• Be wary of crowds: Be extra cautious in crowds, as a thief could easily slip in and steal from you without you noticing.

Fake Tour Agencies and Booking Scams

Booking tours and accommodations with fake or illegitimate agencies can ruin your trip and leave you with financial losses.

Online Booking Websites and Fake Testimonials

Some websites offer attractive deals on tours, hotels, or flights, but they may use fake testimonials and reviews, making it difficult to assess their legitimacy. These websites often lure tourists in with low prices, but they may deliver low-quality services or even disappear with your money.

Here’s how to protect yourself:

• Research tour agencies and booking websites thoroughly: Check customer reviews and ratings on websites like TripAdvisor, Google Reviews, and independent travel forums.
• Look for licenses and registrations: Reputable tour companies and booking agencies should have licenses and registration numbers from the Vietnamese government.
• Compare prices: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Compare prices across multiple websites and agencies to see if there are any major discrepancies.
• Pay using trusted payment methods: Use secure payment methods like PayPal or credit cards, which offer buyer protection in case of scams.

In-Person Scams and Bogus Tour Guides

In tourist areas, street vendors or touts may offer tour packages or hotel bookings that appear to be cheap. However, these deals may lead to a substandard experience, or they may even turn out to be scams where you are led to an unsafe or overpriced location.

Here are some tips:

• Book through reputable sources: Stick to well-known travel agencies, hotels, or online booking platforms with strong reputations.
• Be wary of touts and unofficial vendors: If someone approaches you offering a “deal” on the street, it’s best to politely decline.
• Double-check the information: If you do agree to a tour booked through an unofficial source, double-check the details with another reputable agency or online platform.

Gemstone Scams

Vietnam is known for its beautiful gemstones, but this industry has unfortunately become intertwined with various scams.

“Free Gemstone” Scams

This scam typically involves a “friendly” local who offers you a “free gemstone” or a “tour of a gem factory.” They may be very persuasive, but their true objective is to lure you to a “gemstone shop” where they’ll pressure you into buying overpriced or fake gems.

To avoid this scam:

• Decline “free” offers: Never accept “free” gifts or tours from strangers, as they often lead to scams.
• Stay vigilant in tourist areas: Be cautious of people who approach you unexpectedly, especially in areas known for gem shops.

Hidden Inspection Fees

Another common scam involves hidden inspection fees. The vendor may offer to “inspect” a gemstone for you, claiming it is a rare and valuable find. They then charge a high inspection fee, or they may try to pressure you into buying the stone for a seemingly “bargain” price.

Here’s how to protect yourself:

• Don’t allow vendors to “inspect” your gems: You can ask for a written appraisal from a reputable gemologist later.
• Don’t be swayed by “pressure tactics”: Ask for a time to think before making a purchase.

Distraction Scams on the Streets

These scams are designed to distract you so that they can steal your belongings. They often involve a group of people acting out a scenario, such as a staged accident or a fight, to draw your attention.

Staged Accidents and Fights

A group of individuals may purposefully create a distraction, such as a fake accident or a staged fight, to distract you and steal your belongings. They might even try to accuse you of causing the accident or being involved in the fight, further diverting your attention.

Tips for staying safe:

• Stay aware of your surroundings: Be vigilant about what’s happening around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Don’t get involved: If you witness a staged accident or fight, don’t engage or offer assistance. Simply walk away and report it to a local authority.

Spilled Drinks and Smells

This scam involves a group of people pretending to accidentally spill something on you or near you, covering you with pungent-smelling substances. While you’re distracted, an accomplice can steal your belongings.

Here’s how to protect yourself:

• Be mindful of your surroundings: Avoid places where there might be a large crowd or situations that are easily manipulated.

ATM and Credit Card Fraud

Be cautious when using ATMs or credit cards in Vietnam. There are several scams targeting tourists.

Skimming Devices and Fake ATMs

Skimming devices can be attached to ATMs to steal your card information. These devices are typically small and discreet, making them difficult to spot. Some ATMs may be fake, designed to look like legitimate bank machines. When you insert your card, they capture your information, leading to fraudulent transactions.

Here’s how to protect yourself:

• Check ATMs for signs of tampering: Before inserting your card, inspect the ATM carefully. Look for any loose parts, suspicious attachments, or anything that looks out of place.
• Cover your PIN: Always cover your PIN when entering it into the ATM.
• Use ATMs in safe locations: Avoid using ATMs in isolated areas, especially after dark.

Card Cloning and Fraudulent Transactions

Thieves might attempt to steal your credit card information or clone your card to make fraudulent transactions. They may try to distract you or simply access your card without your knowledge.

Here are some tips for staying safe:

• Keep your card secure: Always keep your credit card in a secure place, and don’t expose it to strangers.
• Monitor your transactions: Regularly check your credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions.
• Report suspicious activity: If you suspect your card has been compromised, report it to your bank immediately.

Fake Police Officer Scams

In some instances, individuals may impersonate police officers to target tourists.

Illegal Checkpoints and Bribes

Fake police officers may set up fake checkpoints on the road or approach you at popular tourist spots. They may then demand to see your documents, such as your passport or visa, and try to extort money from you.

To protect yourself:

• Be wary of police officers stopping you on the road: If you’re stopped by a police officer, ask for their badge number and identification. You can always request to call the local police station to verify their identity.
• Don’t surrender cash for any reason: Real police officers won’t demand money unless there’s a valid reason, such as a fine for breaking a traffic law.

Fake Arrest Scenarios

A fake police officer may accuse you of a crime you didn’t commit and demand a bribe to avoid arrest. If this happens, don’t agree to any bribe.

Here’s what to do if you are accused:

• Demand to see identification: Ask for the officer’s identification and badge number.
• Call the police station: You can call the local police station to verify the officer’s identity.
• Document the incident: If you feel unsafe, try to photograph the officer’s badge or take note of their details.
• Contact your embassy or consulate: If you are arrested, contact your embassy or consulate for assistance.

Conclusion

While Vietnam is a beautiful and welcoming country, tourists need to be aware of common scams and take precautions to avoid them. By being vigilant, understanding these scams, and taking preventative measures, you can protect yourself and ensure a safer and more enjoyable travel experience. It’s crucial to remember that being aware of your surroundings, practicing common sense, and avoiding situations that feel uncomfortable or suspicious are essential safeguards.

Remember to trust your instincts. If a situation feels off, it’s best to err on the side of caution and walk away. By staying informed and vigilant, you can navigate Vietnam’s diverse and enticing landscape without falling victim to scams.

However, once you see the vibrant locals living there, the village will definitely be a destination you will be visiting in the future.

Sam Son is a familiar destination for many people. However they still have several hidden charms waiting for tourists to explore, including Van Chai ancient fishing village (Photo: Vietnam+)

Here are some cons of Vietnam visa online:

1. Visa on arrival is only applicable for those who take the flight to Vietnam as they need to get visa stamped upon their arrival at Vietnam international airports.
2. The waiting time at airport might be long. It is supposed that if you landed down at the same time with many many people, you need to queue from around 30-45 minutes to get your passport back with visa stamp there.
3. Many people used to think that they can get Vietnam visa at airport. But it is totally different others;it has 2 steps, once apply online to get visa pre-approval letter and once get visa stamped at Vietnam airport.
4. All visa information of different applicants are shared on one visa letter.

You might be wavering much on using visa on arrival to go to Vietnam, might not you? But forget all, keep going to use visa on arrival because its pros is heavier than cons; and you can use some solutions below to avoid its cons.

1. To avoid waiting time at airport, you should use assistance service from the visa agency who helps you to obtain visa letter. This service will help your visa stamp procedure more promptly and smoothly.
2. To avoid sharing your personal information in visa letter, always have special notice to get private letter during applying it online. The visa agency surely can help you to get it. It is sometimes required a small surcharge ; but you might not care much.
3. Vietnam visa on arrival is required you apply online to get visa letter. If you know it before your trip, do apply online with standard processing of 2 working days. Incase you were in airport without a letter, you can apply online with super urgent service to have visa letter in time.
4. Make sure your visiting Vietnam by air before applying a visa on arrival. Other borders is advised to go to the Vietnam Embassy or Consulate to apply visa in person.

From Feb 25th, Bamboo Airways started to launch a regular direct flight connecting Hanoi with Frankfurt in Germany due to the growing travel demand.

The carrier is scheduled to operate 2 flights each week. Flight tickets start to be sold from Feb 24th.  and the frequency would be increased later based on demand.

Bamboo Airways plans to increase the frequency of flights on the Hanoi – Frankfurt route based on demand. It also plans to open a direct route between Ho Chi Minh City and Frankfurt soon.

Ticket sales for other direct flights from Hanoi to London and HCMC-Melbourne are also open from Monday, with the frequency of two weekly flights on each of these routes.

Talking about the Hanoi – London route, Bamboo Airways operated the first flight between Hanoi and London, taking off on March 22rd. About HCMC to Melbourne routes, the first flight was opened from Feb 19th.

Vietnam Airlines used to be the only carrier in Vietnam to operate direct flights to Frankfurt, Paris, London and Moscow before the pandemic.

On Jan 1st, Vietnam aviation officially resumed regular flights between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok, Phnom Penh, San Francisco, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei and Tokyo. On Jan 24th, it also plans to restart commercial flights to Russia, the U.K, France, and Germany.

Passengers arriving on these flights are required to take a rapid Covid test at the Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat international airports due to the emergence of the new Omicron variant.

Anyone who wishes to enter Vietnam must take a RT-PCR Covid test within 72 hours before departure (except children below 2 years old). People entering Vietnam, who are fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 would need to self-isolate for three days only.

Vietnam’s roadmap to open its border for tourists

From Jan 1, 2022, Vietnam resumed commercial international flights to 09 highly safe countries and territories, including Beijing/Guangzhou (China), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (the Republic of Korea), Taiwan, Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore, Vientiane (Laos), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), San Francisco/Los Angeles (the United States).

From Jan 15, 2022, Vietnam reopened commercial international flights to 06 more countries and territories, including Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Hong Kong, Paris (France), Frankfurt (Germany), Sydney (Australia), Moscow (Russia).

After these 2 stages, Vietnam is now considering the full opening of the Vietnam border for tourism.

There are now 3 types of international inbound flights to Vietnam, including: Commercial flights, Charter flights, and Expert flights.

Vietnam commercial international flights

Vietnam commercial international flights are available for:

• Vietnamese citizens
• Those with a valid Vietnam 5-year visa, Visa Exemption Certificate, TRC (Temporary Residence Card), PRC (Permanent Residence Card)  (applied to overseas Vietnamese, spouse and child of a Vietnamese citizen or overseas Vietnamese)
• Experts, business managers and investors with a valid entry permit from the Vietnam Immigration Department.

This is the schedule of International flights to Vietnam in the coming time by Vietnam Airlines:

• Singapore – HCM city: 01 flight/ week (every Wednesday)
• Singapore – Hanoi:  01 flight/ week (every Friday)
• Thailand: Bangkok- HCM city: 02 flights/ week (every Wednesday & Saturday)
• Laos: Wattay – Hanoi:  02 flights/ week (every Wednesday & Sunday)
• Cambodia: Phnom Penh – HCM City: 04 flights/ week (every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday)
• Taiwan: Taipei – Hanoi: 01 flight/ week (every Tuesday)
• South Korea: Incheon – Hanoi: 02 flights/ week (every Thursday & Saturday)
• Japan: Narita – HCM city: 02 flights/ week (every Thursday & Sunday)
• USA: San Francisco – HCM City :  02 flights/ week, Every Wednesday & Sunday

Vietnam charter flights

Charter flights are available for:

• Vietnamese citizens
• Those with a valid Vietnam 5-year visa or Visa Exemption Certificate (applied to overseas Vietnamese, spouse, and child of a Vietnamese citizen or overseas Vietnamese)
• Foreign tourists. (Tourists will be issued with a 30-day visa for Vietnam and can only travel within the assigned destination.Tourists wishing to visit relatives outside the assigned destinations: (only for those who registered for a 7+ days tour): your relative must complete a NA5 form with signature by the competent authority, and you must secure a written registration with the organizing unit).

Vietnam expert flights

Vietnam expert flights are available for foreign experts, business managers, and investors entering Vietnam for work.

These people must have a sponsor company and are required to have a valid Vietnam entry permit from the Immigration Department.

The Government Office has just issued Document No. 8044/VPCP-KGVX conveying the direction of Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh on the proposal of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on a pilot plan to welcome international visitors to Vietnam.

Accordingly, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh agreed to the policy on a pilot route to welcome international tourists to Vietnam in 3 stages as proposed.

The first stages will start in November 2021. Vietnam will reopen the door to foreign tourists who book package tours to Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Quang Nam, Da Nang, and  Quang Ninh through charter and commercial flights.

The second stage will start in January 2021. This stage will expand the scope of international tourists and connect destinations through international charter and regular commercial flights. Visitors can join tours combining multiple destinations after completing the tour at the first destination within 7 days. First of all, it will connect Kien Giang, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ninh and maybe add some other localities (if conditions are met and there is a proposal to welcome international tourists).

The third stage will fully reopen to the international tourist market. The starting time of stage three will be based on the actual epidemic situation and on the evaluation of the results of the reception in the first two stages.

To be allowed entry, foreign travelers need to meet the following conditions:

Firstly, visitors must have a certificate of a full dose of COVID-19 vaccine recognized by the competent authority in Vietnam (not applicable to children under 12 years old accompanied by parents or guardians). The duration of injection of the 2nd or 1st dose (for the 1-dose vaccine) is valid for 14 days and not more than 12 months by the time of departure, or there is a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 or equivalent documents, issued by a competent authority in the country of treatment and recognized by Vietnam.

Secondly, visitors must have negative results for the SARS-CoV-2 test by RT-PCR/RT-LAMP method within 72 hours before departure and be tested by the competent authority of the country performing the test certification (from the time of taking samples for testing).

Thirdly, visitors must have medical or travel insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment with a minimum liability of  $50,000.

Fourthly, visitors must participate in the package tour of the tour operator.

On the first day of entry, visitors must do a rapid antigen test on themselves and if the result is positive, they will be taken to a medical facility and their treatment costs will be borne by insurance agencies or the tour operators. They must install the IGOVN application on their smartphones and use it during their stay in Vietnam. No quarantine is mandated, but masking is required.

In March 2020, international flights to Vietnam were temporarily suspended due to the negative impact of the COVID-19 epidemic. Since then, only repatriated Vietnamese, foreign experts, and skilled workers have been allowed to enter under strict conditions.

In the year 2020, Vietnam witnessed a significant decrease in the number of foreign travelers. According to official data, there were only 3,83 million foreign visitors welcomed to Vietnam last year. These were not positive numbers for Vietnam’s tourism industry.

Mr. Vu The Binh, Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, said that one of the attractive products that Vietnam has not explored fully is cuisine.

According to the Vietnam Hotel Association, the development of the tourist accommodation system in recent years has led to the development of restaurants. Cuisine plays an important role when contributing 30% of the revenue of accommodation establishments. The team of chefs in Vietnam is rising, with about 30,000 people (working for 2-star hotels or more).

However, Mr. Vu The Binh said that chefs working at hotels are not really professional. High-end hotels are still scrambling for good chefs while chefs are still unprofessional when they unexpectedly quit jobs to seek new opportunities with higher pay, causing difficulties for restaurants.

Vietnam lacks chef training schools

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Minh, General Chef of Deawoo Hanoi Hotel, said the number of trained and untrained chefs has never met the growing demand of the tourism industry.

The chief chefs at most of the big hotels are foreigners, which means that they cannot process pure Vietnamese dishes well, and this is the why Vietnamese cuisine has developed slowly and is unable to become an independent tourism product.

A survey by the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association shows that 70% of chefs are self-taught or learned from colleagues, and only 30% are trained. However, among hundreds of vocational training centers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, there is no official training school for chefs.

Meanwhile, the local tourism industry needs 40,000 workers, including 3,200 chefs.

Mr. Vu The Binh said that with 30,000 chefs currently working at big restaurants and hotels rated 2-star or more, and hundreds of thousands of other chefs working at restaurants of lower levels, it is necessary to have criteria to honor outstanding chefs.

This is why the Vietnam Tourism Association and Vietnam Chefs Association are developing technical standards for food processing, in order to bring chefs’ activities to professional standards and to improve the professional ethics of Vietnamese chefs.

The building of criteria for Vietnamese chefs, according to Mr. Vu The Binh, is essential to professionally develop Vietnamese cuisine, with the aim to turn Vietnam into “the world’s kitchen”.

Before 2000, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism developed temporary standards for chefs (with 3 grades). However, these standards are no longer suitable to the actual situation.

Source: Vietnamnet

Once in place, tourists, domestic and international alike, will be able to visit the Marble Mounts, the Danang Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Cham Sculpture for free from January 1 to June 30, 2021. In the other six months, visitors will receive a 50% discount on their entrance fees.

Reportedly, the city collects some VND100 billion in entrance fees at various attractions every year.

This was suggested by the Department of Tourism and mentioned in the Department of Finance’s proposal.

At the recent October regular meeting of the municipal People’s Committee, most of the delegates agreed with the proposal and are now awaiting the city’s People’s Council’s approval, which will be given at its meeting later this year.

In another development, the Danang Tourism Promotion Center (under the municipal Department of Tourism) has been organizing webinars with the participation of partners from key international markets that hope to recover as early as 2021.

“While focusing on attracting domestic tourists to partly help Danang’s tourism overcome challenges, we keep connecting with international markets through various webinars and communications, reminding them that the city is safe for travel. We expect international tourist arrivals to resume from Q2 of 2021,” said Mai Thi Thanh Hai, the center’s deputy director.

The markets are inclusive of Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore) and Northeast Asia (Taiwan, Japan and South Korea).

Besides, Danang will keep promoting itself as a safe destination with the “Safe tourism for your health” message.

In the first 10 months of this year, Danang’s accommodation establishments served more than two million tourists, down 65.8% year-on-year. The total revenue from accommodation and catering services was estimated at VND10,577 billion, down 38.1% year-on-year.

Source: SGT

Mimosa Pass

Located on the main road leading to Da Lat city, Mimosa Pass is only about 10km long. With the wild beauty of Mimosa flowers, this pass can surprise any visitor.

Some outstanding check-in points:

– Que Garden: Vietnam’s largest coniferous bonsai garden, called a “miniature Japan” in the city of flowers.

– Thien Vuong Co Sat Pagoda: Located at the end of Mimosa Pass, the pagoda has a Chinese style. The temple is the home to three Buddha statues made of agarwood.

– Fairy Persimmon Garden: Persimmon is a specialty of Da Lat city. The fruit begins ripening in September – November. If you want to visit persimmon gardens at the foot of Mimosa Pass, you can travel to Da Lat during this time.

Prenn Pass

Prenn Pass is one of the most beautiful and impressive passes in Da Lat. The pass is only 10km long with spectacular bends, flanked by deep abysses and hundreds of years old pine forests.

Some outstanding check-in points:

– Tuyen Lam Lake: The symbolic lake of Da Lat is a great destination for you to experience the sunrise and sunset.

– Truc Lam Zen Monastery: With the charming scenery, peaceful space, Truc Lam Zen Monastery is in the top 10 tourist destinations that cannot be missed when coming to Da Lat.

– Da Lat cable car tourist site: Located on Robin Hill, Da Lat cable car attracts tourists with a swinging journey to explore the beauty of the city from a high angle.

– Infinity Lake: Located inside the clay tunnel tourist site, Infinity Lake is a check-in site that has attracted visitors since its early days of opening.

Ta Nung Pass Road

Ta Nung pass is also known as the silk road or the da quy (Mexican sunflower) road, which does not have too many high slopes or deep abysses. Ta Nung road attracts visitors with wild scenery on both sides of the road and rustic villages.

Some outstanding check-in points:

– Dadaland: This destination is a place that gives you the feeling of standing in the middle of Bali paradise, with peaceful space and many small scenes such as net beds, swings, bird’s nest, Buddha’s hand …

– Thuy Thuan Da Lat tourist area: Located on a hill, below is a valley with a stream, this resort has a wide view, with beautiful scenery.

– Puppy Farm: The puppy farm is an interesting destination for pet lovers.

– Lac Tien Gioi: Built in a futuristic style, this destination offers visitors great photo angles.

Trai Mat, Cau Dat road

There are many beautiful places for you to have a day to experience the flower city along this road.

Some outstanding check-in points:

– Cau Dat: This place is a famous scene for pictures of clouds.

– Hydrangea garden: Hydrangeas are one of the most iconic flowers of Dalat. Coming to this flower garden, you can take amazing photos amid beautiful flowers.

– Ve Chai Pagoda: Linh Phuoc Pagoda or Ve Chai Pagoda has a unique architecture with construction materials and decorative details made of pieces of porcelain and glass.

– Cau Dat Tea Hill: A familiar destination for young people who love Da Lat, with a beautiful space for pictures, along with fresh air.

– Railroad tunnel: This tunnel is a relic from ancient times, hidden in the mountains of Da Lat. The old, ghostly look of the railway tunnel makes this place an ideal destination for young people.