Hanoi increases fines for tourist fraud

The leaders of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism proposed that the city People's Committee increase penalties and take more drastic measures against acts of soliciting, cheating and stalking tourists.

After a series of incidents of cyclo drivers, taxi drivers, and hotels defrauding, threatening, and overcharging international tourists, the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism recommended that the City People's Committee direct the police and related agencies to increase patrols and inspections. This includes paying attention to tourist attractions and accommodations, promptly and strictly handling organizations and individuals who defraud, stalk, overcharge, and steal.

The department proposed to increase sanctions and take more drastic measures, mobilizing community participation against tourist fraud; at the same time, it will coordinate with the city police to inspect and examine tourism businesses, first in Hoan Kiem district.

Street vendors often solicit tourists in the old town. Photo: PV

At the end of April, there were many cases of fraud and overcharging tourists in Hanoi. The cyclo driver who took an Australian mother and her three children from the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to Hang Trong Street (Hanoi) demanded 1.3 million VND from the passengers. The Trung Viet taxi driver forced an Australian couple to pay 980,000 VND for a distance of nearly 7 km. Or the case of a taxi driver and hotel staff in the Old Quarter colluding to defraud and threaten the lives of 3 French tourists when they had just arrived in the capital.

After receiving feedback from VnExpress and tourists, the leaders of the Department of Culture coordinated with the General Department of Tourism and related agencies to directly and strictly handle the violating driver, refund the money, and apologize to the tourists.

According to (VnXpress) – LC