Taiwanese tourist charged 3 times normal fare for 25-km Hanoi taxi ride

According to a report from Noi Bai International Airport, the incident happened on June 7 around 12:30 p.m. at Terminal T2. The tourist, who was using a ride-hailing app, was approached by a man dressed in what appeared to be a tech-ride uniform. He offered a ride to Hanoi's Old Quarter, promising standard pricing.

"I expected the fare to be around VND400,000 (US$15), so I didn't worry too much if there was a small difference," the tourist later told authorities.

But upon arriving at a hotel on Hang Bong Street, the driver showed a fake app displaying a fare of VND700,000. He had already collected VND200,000 earlier, claiming it was a parking fee, bringing the total charge to VND900,000.

Taxi fares vary depending on company, vehicle type and region, but is generally VND10,000 - 12,000 each for the first one or two kilometers and VND11,000 - 15,000 for subsequent kilometers. For ride-hailing services such as Grab, a trip from Noi Bai International Airport to the Old Quarter would cost around VND300,000.

Despite attempts to negotiate, the driver refused to lower the price, and the tourist paid to avoid further trouble.

An investigation by Noi Bai Airport Police identified the culprits on June 22 as a married couple from Hanoi's Soc Son District. Authorities said the couple had been illegally soliciting passengers and extorting money. They have since been dealt with under Vietnamese law.

Despite the scam, the tourist praised Vietnam overall, highlighting unforgettable experiences in Hoi An, Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay.