This is the first of two pages compiled in a joint effort by myself, and a travel professional (ComeAndGoVietnam) to help educate you as to how not to get taken advantage of by taxis in Vietnam, but in Nha Trang and Saigon in particular. Please excuse me if some of the information gets repeated. ComeAndGoVietnam’s writing is in Italics, whereas mine are standard lettering
A frequent complaint from foreign visitors is of being overcharged, ripped off and generally mistreated by the city’s taxi drivers, particularly those operating at Tan Son Nhat Airport. (Saigon) Indeed, a 2007 survey discovered that the number one reason cited by tourists as to why they would not return to Vietnam was being overcharged by taxi drivers.
Taxis are a concern in many countries, and Vietnam is no exception. As a matter of fact, I personally consider them one of the worst things about this country. They can be aggressive, manipulative, and most cannot be trusted. Even individuals working for reputable companies will try to take advantage of a tourist at every opportunity.
Taxis are highly commission driven and they will take you to the furthest spot they can that will give them the highest commission. Do not ask the driver to recommend and drive you to a nice restaurant. You may or may not end up where you want, but where he wants. The friendly fellow will even wait for you to take you back.
Another very common practice, and one that annoys me immensely is the practice to try to scoop a hotel guest by lying, or trying to trick them into thinking there is a good reason for you not to show up at your reserved hotel. You will probably end up at some budget hotel and getting bullied into pre paying for your nights so you do not leave after your sleepless night. The taxi driver does not care…. He has made his 20% commission for scooping you. That is all he cares about.
When you arrive at Cam Ranh airport to go to Nha Trang, there are a few things to watch for in order not to be scammed. You can elect to buy a shuttle ticked at a desk as you leave the airport for 80000 dong that will take you to the old Nha Trang city airport. From there you can catch a taxi, bus, or motorcycle cowboy. You also have the option to purchase a taxi voucher for 380000 dong that will take you wherever your hotel is. (Ignore excuses or other things he says and do not pay extra unless you wish to tip) The cheapest option is to walk out past the ticket desk and out the front doors past the Airport Taxi mob to the parking lot and grab a car or taxi that is waiting a short distance off about 15 meters towards the rear of the parking lot towards the right side. Take your time and do not rush to get a taxi. Walk to the Mini vans and cars off in the distance and let them approach you to offer a ride. A car should cost 200000-300000 dong, and a Van 300000-350000. They will run the meter to keep track of miles. Beware the common scam of them saying the price was for one way and you are required to pay the return fare or what the meter says!!
Important!! If your taxi pulls ahead or behind the entrance to your hotel, you are most likely being cheated. The taxi driver is trying to avoid the possibility of the receptionist coming to your aid.
Lastly…. Always take note of the taxi number when you enter. If there is any problem during or after the trip, you will at least have some chance of making it right. If you forget something, it may be returned, and if you were scammed, at least it can be reported to a company that cares.
So how can you ensure that your visit to Saigon isn’t blighted by taxi cheats? Here’s my guide, based on 7 ½ years as an expat in the city!
Which Taxi?
In my 7 years in the city, only one company has an unblemished record with regards to overcharging – Mai Linh. Their taxis are white & green. Be careful – there are several fake Mai Linh taxis around using very similar livery and logo. In recent months they have become outnumbered by the ubiquitous Vinasun taxis – they’re mostly OK but are less fussy about who they employ as drivers, and tend to employ country bumpkins with no knowledge of Saigon and with zero customer service skills. I mostly agree except I myself have been taken the long way by Mai Linh taxis and have had them also try to cheat me. It all depends on the individual driver I guess. You can also spot fakes by the driver not wearing a tie which must be worn at all times by a Mai Linh or Vinasun driver.
All other taxi firms should be treated with extreme caution!
To be continued……..
I got ripped off getting off the bus from Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh. As I got off, a mob of taxi drivers approached me. The guy speaking english said he’ll take me to my hotel. I showed him the address. Then in the car, we drove for maybe 5 mins and I noticed the fare jumped from 30,000 to 200,000. I asked him about that and he said, oh, don’t worry, your trip will only cost you about $8. I said, ok, then how about I pay with 8 US dollars, and he said he could not accept. At the end, he dropped me off on a corner which was right on the other side of where he picked me up. Later I realized that my hotel was in an alley directly across the street from where he picked me up. It costed me 330,000 to get to my hotel. What a total rip off!! It was fake Mai Linh. I noticed that there were no numbers inside the car. Outside, as I got out, I took a picture of the top, which showed the following: (in very small letters above the numbers it said: taxi van tai du lich 27.7) Then in big numbers it said: 54.27.27.27.27 My hotel told me if it starts with 54, it’s a fake taxi. Grrr!!! He got me!!! I was furious! I never want to go back to Saigon again, everyone was out to get me!
I am sorry to hear that. Hopefully others reading your comment will be aware of this common scam. As to not wanting to come back…. I am also sorry to hear that, even though I understand the feeling. These taxi scams sour visitors perceptions when the first thaing that happens on arrival is that they are abused. This place can be a big culture shock,and confusing, but once accustomed to it, it can be one of the best places to visit or even live.
My first trip from the airport to my hotel in HCMC I paid 700,000 VND. A total rip-off and uncharacteristic of me since I’m really skeptical of taxis. My second trip out, I paid 150,000 VND for the ride from airport to District 1. In my time there, I have found VinaSun to be the most reliable and have gotten good fares. If you pay more than 150-200k for a fare from the airport to District 1, you overpaid. It’s OK, we all take a beating once in a while.
Remember that these people don’t make a lot of money. That doesn’t justify the price gauging but it explains why they view you as a walking ATM. You know what, sometimes you pay a little bit extra to a guy who makes $80 a month and that’s not really a bad thing. You can afford it.
I ended up paying $30 USD for a taxi from the airport to my hotel in HCMC, via an unregistered taxi. I knew I was being ripped off, but I was very tired and also didn’t know by how much. The fare back to the airport from my accomodation the next day (by Mai Linh taxia) was $7 USD. At least I learnt from that mistake.
Is the fixed rate 320000 dong how much it costs for any journey to a hotel or is that the minimum u have to pay? Thanks
That is amywhere in Nha Trang. Unfortunately I beleive there has been another increase to 360-380000 dong. I will update the site when confirmed.
Thanks, appreciate it. We live and learn. Adventure, thats what travelling is for.
Anastazija
We were getting the taxis to use their metres in HCMC and they were fantastic and honest.
Got off the plane last night and all the taxi drivers come running towards you, thought might as well go with Mailinh, asked for the metre to be put on……520, 000 dong later……it was 527 000 but I told him he’s not getting the 7000 cos I’ve given him too much already! Security came rushing up to him and he got in his taxi and soed off. We are staying at The Light Hotel and dont know how much we shld be paying to get a taxi from our hotel to the Vin Pearl Cable cars, are u able to help at all?
Many many thanks
Anastazija
The taxi from the airport is fixed at 320000 dong. I was told today that it has been raised to 380000… At 500000 you were overcharged…. sorry….
From the light to the cable cars is about 50000. Ot take the number 4 bus for 4000 each
Hi Owee, I would like to know about taxis from airports…what is the fare from Danang airport to Old Town where the hotel is and from Ho Ching Minh to hotel in District 1…..is there a fixed price? and reliable taxis?
thank you for your help
Andriesa Smith
A Fellow in a green shirt can arrange a Mai Linh Taxi for 130000 to Dist1. The metered price should be about 110-120000.
Mai Linh and VinaSun are the most reliable in Saigon
You will find both taxi and bus service to Hoi An old town. I am sorry, I have never used the service bit I would guess that a taxi would cost around 20 dollars, and a bus about 5 dollars
I have lived in VietNam for 20 years and I’ve learnt a thing or two:
Vina (Yellow) Cabs are complete;y trustworthy (on one journey I left a $3,422 lense – it was returned)
Mai Linh (Real) and Vinasun have poor drivers – I have the videos. Best to use female driver with Mai Linh as they drive more carefully
Check out the taxi logo. If it is a magnetic sign – that can be peeled off – it is a fake taxi.
Always be seen to write the taxi tag plate number and the car number down – ditto with driver ID card information.
If a taxi meter is mounted anywhere than the dash stare at it and count out the numbers and ignore all distractions. Doing this will make it hard for a taxi driver to scam the meter.
NEVER get out of the car until the driver does – it will make sure your baggage won’t get stolen.
Great question.. I remember talking about it with a driver in Saigon, but I have since forgotten…. Damn the old age! As I recall, it was very similar to our way where they rent the car and anything they make beyond the cost is theirs…. but I will double check on that ang get back to you.
How the taxi driver gets paid? that is usually the source of the problems.
If they have a fixed salary and at the end of the shift the company will collect the total meter rate no scam, no need to inflate the meter……
In lot of places (NYC…) the driver has to pay the lease of his car so he need money…but in VN the taxi cars seems all company owned…