How to hold on to your Dong

Imagine going to a restaurant where the food is delicious, the décor immaculate and the bill reasonable…but the service is lousy. The waiter charges you for the free bread, brings a burger when you ordered a steak, then demands a 40% tip. This is Vietnam. Don’t get us wrong, we love this country – the food, the scenery, even the amusing propaganda, but nowhere else have we encountered people who are so hell bent on separating you from your cash. There is a tourist tax almost everywhere but the shrewd attitude here makes it a lot harder to swallow. I mean, if you’re gonna rip me off, you could at least be gracious about it. Would it kill you to smile?

Among the countless methods used to get your money, most fall into three general categories:

• Bait and Switch – This occurs almost exclusively on prepaid activities. You will be promised an itinerary, group size, meal plan or accommodation that has no bearing on what you actually get. Try to get first hand account from other travelers before signing up for anything.
• Price Gouging – Almost every time you ask for a price, you will be met with either a quick conversation in Vietnamese behind the counter or a pause while the vendor decides how much to over charge you. Bargaining down from this high price is next to impossible, even the walk away fails. Amazingly, people would rather lose your business than defy the strict two-tiered pricing system.
• Nickel and Diming – You’ll be surprised with little charges you didn’t expect all the time. Those napkins put on your table will show up on your bill, regardless if you used them or not. If you are on a “fully inclusive” tour, still make sure the food or beverage on offer is truly included. We’ve been told that we needed to pay extra just after we popped the “free” appetizers into our mouths.

It’s hard to tell why Vietnam sets itself apart in this respect. Maybe it’s the temptation of all the money coming in through the newly formed tourist industry. Or possibly it’s a result of new capitalist values after decades of tight communist control. Who knows? But by being aware you might be able to keep your dong where it belongs, in your pants… ahem, pocket.