Hanoi airport authorities sanction couple for overcharging Taiwanese tourist

According to Noi Bai International Airport officials, on June 19, they received an email complaint from a Taiwanese tourist stating that they were solicited for a ride from the airport to central Hanoi and were charged VND900,000.

The tourist, visiting Vietnam for the first time, arrived at Noi Bai International Airport at 12:30 pm on June 7. 

While attempting to book a Grab car via the app, the tourist was approached by a man wearing a Grab logo who offered to arrange a ride, claiming the fare would be calculated by a meter.

The tourist agreed and followed the man to a parking area, where he was shown a fare meter inside a vehicle with license plate 30H-216.38.

Once the car left the airport, the tourist was asked to pay an additional parking fee.

At this point, the driver had changed — the vehicle was now being driven by a woman.

Upon arrival at a hotel on Hang Bong Street, the driver presented a fare app displaying a fare of VND700,000 ($26.8), then added VND200,000 ($7.2) as a parking fee, demanding a total of VND900,000.

The tourist, feeling deceived, tried to negotiate but was ultimately forced to pay the full amount. 

The Taiwanese tourist took a photo of the license plate and filed a complaint with Vietnamese authorities.

Upon receiving the email, Noi Bai International Airport immediately sent an official request for an investigation to the airport police.

By June 22, the investigation was concluded. The perpetrators were identified as N.V.H., 31, and his wife P.T.T., 37, residents of Soc Son District in Hanoi.

The couple had solicited the tourist illegally and collected VND900,000 by showing a fake ride-hailing app interface and inventing a fictitious toll fee for two people.

The actual cost for the journey should have been around VND350,000 ($13.4), plus a toll fee of VND17,000 ($0.7), totaling VND367,000. 

Therefore, the amount overcharged was VND533,000 ($20.4).

The couple has been handled in line with the law, police said.

Noi Bai International Airport added that police are currently reaching out to the Taiwanese tourist. 

If the tourist is still in Vietnam, they will be invited to complete the refund process. 

If the tourist has returned home, alternative arrangements will be made.

The airport strongly advises passengers not to use unauthorized transportation services or accept ride offers from strangers at the terminal.

Travelers should use officially licensed taxis at designated pick-up zones within the airport or book rides through reputable ride-hailing apps.

In case of suspicious solicitation or irregular behavior within the terminal, passengers are urged to report the incidents immediately to airport security, the Passenger Service Quality Action Committee, or the Noi Bai International Airport police via:

- Airport security hotline: (024) 3.584.2627

- Noi Bai International Airport Police Station: (024) 3884.3241

- Passenger Service Quality Action Committee at (038) 916.6566 or CS.han@acv.vn