What are the most common tourist scams in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City?

Most tourists have a smooth trip, and the common problems are small and avoidable.

• Taxi and motorbike overcharging. Use Grab, or a taxi from a known company with the meter on. Agree a price before you get on a motorbike taxi.

• Bag and phone snatching. Thieves on motorbikes grab phones and bags from people walking near the road. Carry your phone away from the street side.

• Fake or doubled prices. Check menus for prices before you order, and ask for a receipt.

• Shoe-shine or fruit-basket sellers who put something in your hand and then ask for payment. Politely decline.

• Fake visa websites. Use the government portal at evisa.gov.vn or an agency that is clear about its fees.

• Currency tricks. Count the notes, and check 20,000 and 500,000 dong notes, because they look alike.

Keep a calm manner, and keep valuables in a front pocket or bag. Read our Vietnam travel guide for more tips.