Vietnam’s Phu Quoc launches crackdown on online travel scams

Nguyen Thi Kim Loan, vice-chairwoman of the Phu Quoc Special Zone People’s Committee, said on Sunday morning that local authorities received complaints from late 2025 to early 2026 about tourists being scammed when booking accommodation through social media platforms, damaging the island’s tourism image.

The campaign aims to tighten management and protect tourists’ rights, ensuring that travelers are not scammed or tricked into transferring money to the wrong recipients.

“We will take strict action against violations that damage the island’s tourism image and reputation,” she stressed.

Under the plan, specialized agencies in Phu Quoc will conduct a comprehensive review of all local accommodation providers, travel agencies, transport operators, restaurants, entertainment venues, individual brokers and other businesses offering tourism-related services.

They will also review social media platforms used by tourists to book accommodation and other services on the island.

Phu Quoc’s tourism rapid-response team will coordinate with relevant agencies to widely distribute multilingual QR codes at airports, ports and on websites to provide timely warnings and emergency assistance to domestic and foreign tourists facing risks.

After the 90-day campaign, the local administration will review and assess the results, complete its database and move to regular monitoring, aiming to build Phu Quoc’s image as a friendly, safe and transparent destination that protects tourists’ rights.

Phu Quoc assists tourists facing difficulties

The Phu Quoc Special Zone People’s Committee said its tourism rapid-response team had received more than 130 reports involving tourists since February 26, 2026.

Authorities verified reports and assisted 25 foreign tourists who had lost personal documents or property.

They helped a Chinese tourist recover a Rolex watch worth around VND400 million (US$15,300) and a South Korean tourist recover $820.

They also helped 30 tourists find emergency accommodation and located relatives for two tourists who had become separated from their families.

Local authorities also verified and handled violations, forcing the removal of 60 posts containing infringing content and fining two people a combined VND15 million ($575) for posting fake or false information on social media.