If you've been scrolling through Instagram reels or YouTube vlogs hyping up Vietnam as the ultimate budget paradise—stop right now. I recently spent time there, bouncing between Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and other spots, and it was hands-down the worst travel experience of my life. From the moment I landed to the second I fled, it was a non-stop barrage of scams, danger, and outright hostility. Save your money, your sanity, and your safety—skip Vietnam entirely. Here's the unfiltered truth.
1. Arrival: Chaos from the Get-Go
Your nightmare starts at the airport. Expect hours-long lines just to grab your luggage, which they leave unattended for anyone to rifle through. By the time you're out, you're exhausted, jet-lagged, and already eyeing the exit.
2. Scams Everywhere—It's a National Sport
Vietnam isn't just scam-prone; scamming is the economy. Everyone—from street vendors to "official" stores—is out to fleece you.
- Accommodations: Booking.com and Airbnb are riddled with ghosts. You pay upfront for stunning apartments that don't exist. Hosts pocket your cash, ghost you, and platforms side with them. One Trustpilot reviewer nailed it: a hacked hotel account tricked them into paying €535 via a fake link—no refund, no support.
- Tech Stores: Bought a new iPhone and MacBook from "Apple Stores"? Good luck. Defective? No refunds, no swaps. Same with UPS/FedEx imposters using fake logos.
- Food & Attractions: Street eats? They "forget" prices until checkout—your 40k VND meal balloons to 300k. Aquariums and sights use fake photos; pay twice for entry to dirty tanks with dying fish. Restaurants? Plates washed in toilets, leftovers recycled.
- Street Hustle: Coconut juice from the "friendly" old man? 10x markup after a photo. Markets swap your goods mid-haggle.
Watch this eye-opener on 55 scams targeting tourists in Vietnam—it's not exaggeration; it's daily life.
3. Traffic: Russian Roulette on Two Wheels
Crossing the street in Saigon? Pure suicide. Motorcycles swarm like locusts—no rules, no brakes, no mercy.
- They drive on sidewalks, texting one-handed.
- Pedestrians? They accelerate.
- Hit? The driver speeds off without a word. Bystanders? They stare blankly—no help.
I nearly got wiped out on a sidewalk; fell hard, and zero assistance.
Proof in motion: Watch how you "survive" Saigon's streets.
4. The People: Rude, Racist, and Ruthless
Forget the "friendly locals" myth. They're staring daggers, lying constantly, and invading your space.
- No English, even from youth.
- Rentals? Hosts barge in unannounced—privacy? What's that?
- Confront a scam? Threats and violence.
Cameras scan your face for elevators. Shouting echoes in buildings. It's dystopian hell.
5. The Final Straw: A "Shit Hole" Mentality
Vietnam runs on dog-eat-dog—communist toxicity at its finest. Compared to gems like Malaysia (stunning beaches await!):
...Vietnam is a filthy, aggressive dump.
My Advice: Go Anywhere Else
Don't believe the YouTubers—they're lying hypocrites. Head to anywhere but here. Vietnam ruined my trip and will yours too.
Have you been scammed there? Share below.