Hanoi increases penalties for scamming tourists.

Leaders of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism have proposed that the Hanoi People's Committee impose stricter penalties and take more decisive measures against acts of soliciting, defrauding, and harassing tourists.

Following a series of incidents involving cyclo drivers, taxi drivers, and hotels scamming, threatening, and overcharging international tourists, the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has requested the Hanoi People's Committee to direct the police and relevant agencies to increase patrols and inspections. Particular attention should be paid to tourist attractions and accommodations, and prompt and strict action should be taken against organizations and individuals involved in fraud, harassment, price gouging, and theft.

The department proposed stricter penalties and more decisive measures, mobilizing community participation to combat fraudulent activities targeting tourists; it will also coordinate with the city police to inspect and check tourism businesses, initially in Hoan Kiem district.

Street vendors frequently pester tourists in the Old Quarter. Photo: PV

In late April, Hanoi witnessed numerous scams and rip-offs targeting tourists. A cyclo driver transporting an Australian mother and her two children from the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to Hang Trong Street (Hanoi) demanded 1.3 million dong from them. A Trung Viet taxi driver pressured an Australian couple into paying 980,000 dong for a journey of nearly 7 km. There was also a case where a taxi driver and hotel staff in the Old Quarter conspired to scam and threaten the lives of three French tourists upon their arrival in the capital.

Following feedback from VnExpress and tourists, the leaders of the Department of Culture coordinated with the General Department of Tourism and other relevant agencies to strictly handle the offending driver, reimburse the money, and apologize to the tourists.

According to (VnXpress) – LC