Dear readers,
We guess it took you more time than usual to read all stories on City Diary this week, packed as it is with articles sent in by locals and expats about crooked hawkers and restaurant owners.
After some foreign readers spoke about being ripped off in popular destinations like Ha Long, Hoi An and Vung Tau, many readers have responded with similar stories,expressing rage and sharing their experience of being robbed in broad daylight during their trip.
Not a tourist but a foreigner who has lived in Hoi An for 3 years, Alex H. said he has given up trying to make his own purchase for fear he has to pay several times more than the locals.
“I do love living in Vietnam, but if I was planning to leave, this would be the main reason. I would love to get on with my life and go and buy something I need for my house without having to find loopholes so that I don't come back with overcharged goods,” wrote Alex.
To avoid rip-offs in tourist destinations, some readers have posted some good ideas:
“I have four tips to avoid getting ripped-off in Vung Tau. 1. Do not go to restaurants where brokers take you. 2. Avoid places advertised as ‘cheap’ on flyers distributed in the street. 3. Do not eat at places near the beach. 4. Go to restaurants in the city, where there are a lot of customers,” suggested Thanh Son.
“This situation has persisted for a long time. Restaurants are willing to pay the fine of a few million dong. If their operation license is taken away, they will use someone else’s name to open a new one. We need to be more determined to resolve the issue. Each restaurant needs to have a certified price range for food and drinks approved by local authorities. When a dispute over price arises, it will be used as proof to judge if that restaurant violates the law,” wrote Duong Van Ngoc.
As many people have spoken up with the local media, the authorities actually consider making major changes to the current situation.
In an interview with Tuoi Tre earlier this week, Nguyen Huu Tho, general director of Saigon Tourist, said the organization is suggesting the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to employ a model called “Traveler Center” to coordinate authorized agencies to protect tourists in famous tourist sites.
In another interview with Tuoi Tre on Friday, Le Xuan Tuoi, member of the Ba Ria – Vung Tau provincial Party Standing Committee, pledged to eliminate filthy businesses, which only account for a small number but has greatly affected the image of the beach city to local and foreign tourists.
Contrary to angry comments on the rip-off situation, Carl Robinson, a writer and a frequent visitor to Vietnam, said despite many drawbacks that plague Vietnam tourism, he will always return to the country.
“Vietnamese really do need to improve the quality and friendliness of service in the hospitality industry. Hotel staff can be downright arrogant to their customers. And, let’s face it, some people can be terribly greedy and do rip people off. Often vendors behave like they’ll never see another tourist for the rest of their lives. So they might as well make the most of it! A better strategy for them would be a smile and a more reasonable price – and they’d sell twice as much,” wrote Carl.
Thank you Carl for your eternal love to Vietnam!
Also on Valentine’s Day this week, we dedicated some stories to those in love and those who are looking for one. We got a Japanese bachelor reveal his plan for Valentine’s Day, a British singleton talk about the love and relationship of expats in Hanoi and a married American compare dating scene between Vietnam and US.
Hope our abundant stories on City Diary this week will make you love us a little more!
Have a nice weekend ahead, everyone.
We guess it took you more time than usual to read all stories on City Diary this week, packed as it is with articles sent in by locals and expats about crooked hawkers and restaurant owners.
After some foreign readers spoke about being ripped off in popular destinations like Ha Long, Hoi An and Vung Tau, many readers have responded with similar stories,expressing rage and sharing their experience of being robbed in broad daylight during their trip.
Not a tourist but a foreigner who has lived in Hoi An for 3 years, Alex H. said he has given up trying to make his own purchase for fear he has to pay several times more than the locals.
“I do love living in Vietnam, but if I was planning to leave, this would be the main reason. I would love to get on with my life and go and buy something I need for my house without having to find loopholes so that I don't come back with overcharged goods,” wrote Alex.
To avoid rip-offs in tourist destinations, some readers have posted some good ideas:
“I have four tips to avoid getting ripped-off in Vung Tau. 1. Do not go to restaurants where brokers take you. 2. Avoid places advertised as ‘cheap’ on flyers distributed in the street. 3. Do not eat at places near the beach. 4. Go to restaurants in the city, where there are a lot of customers,” suggested Thanh Son.
“This situation has persisted for a long time. Restaurants are willing to pay the fine of a few million dong. If their operation license is taken away, they will use someone else’s name to open a new one. We need to be more determined to resolve the issue. Each restaurant needs to have a certified price range for food and drinks approved by local authorities. When a dispute over price arises, it will be used as proof to judge if that restaurant violates the law,” wrote Duong Van Ngoc.
As many people have spoken up with the local media, the authorities actually consider making major changes to the current situation.
In an interview with Tuoi Tre earlier this week, Nguyen Huu Tho, general director of Saigon Tourist, said the organization is suggesting the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to employ a model called “Traveler Center” to coordinate authorized agencies to protect tourists in famous tourist sites.
In another interview with Tuoi Tre on Friday, Le Xuan Tuoi, member of the Ba Ria – Vung Tau provincial Party Standing Committee, pledged to eliminate filthy businesses, which only account for a small number but has greatly affected the image of the beach city to local and foreign tourists.
Contrary to angry comments on the rip-off situation, Carl Robinson, a writer and a frequent visitor to Vietnam, said despite many drawbacks that plague Vietnam tourism, he will always return to the country.
“Vietnamese really do need to improve the quality and friendliness of service in the hospitality industry. Hotel staff can be downright arrogant to their customers. And, let’s face it, some people can be terribly greedy and do rip people off. Often vendors behave like they’ll never see another tourist for the rest of their lives. So they might as well make the most of it! A better strategy for them would be a smile and a more reasonable price – and they’d sell twice as much,” wrote Carl.
Thank you Carl for your eternal love to Vietnam!
Also on Valentine’s Day this week, we dedicated some stories to those in love and those who are looking for one. We got a Japanese bachelor reveal his plan for Valentine’s Day, a British singleton talk about the love and relationship of expats in Hanoi and a married American compare dating scene between Vietnam and US.
Hope our abundant stories on City Diary this week will make you love us a little more!
Have a nice weekend ahead, everyone.
TUOITRENEWS
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