Nha Trang Scams: Fake Hotel Pages, Taxis, Rentals, Reporting
The scam Khanh Hoa tourism officials have warned about most is the fake hotel page that takes a deposit and then goes silent. One October 2024 notice said these pages typically ask for 50% of the deposit in advance. A tourist hotline, *2258, was reported open 24/24 from December 2025.
On this page
In October 2024 the Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism wrote to the provincial police, the Department of Information and Communications, the tourism association and tourism businesses. The warning was about fake hotel fanpages that cheat tourists out of deposits. SGGP’s report on the notice says 15 accommodation providers had complained.
The same pattern is the best documented one in Nha Trang. Each scam below follows the same order: how it works, how to avoid it, where to report. The last section lists the reporting channels.
Fake hotel pages and websites
How it works
The offenders copy information from real hotels, change the contact phone number and run advertisements to attract tourists. SGGP adds that the fake pages pick well-known hotels and resorts near Tran Phu coastal road and advertise heavily, so guests confuse them with the real one.
The fake pages usually ask tourists to book and transfer 50% of the deposit in advance. After the transfer, the guest learns of the fraud only when checking that their name is not in the hotel system. The offender then does not answer calls or blocks contact.
Hotels named among the 15 that reported fake pages include Vinpearl Luxury Nha Trang, InterContinental Nha Trang, Havana Nha Trang, Masova Nha Trang, Grand Gosia and Ana Mandara Cam Ranh.
What was reported in 2025
In August 2025, SGGP reported a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City who paid nearly VND 3 million to a very popular Facebook page. The page looked identical to a Nha Trang hotel’s official page. She could not reach anyone afterwards, and learned of the scam only when she phoned the hotel’s hotline.
An earlier Department of Tourism document dated 26/8/2024 had already directed action on fake hotel and resort fanpages.
A hotel manager told SGGP that on 12 August the hotel received a report from a guest scammed of more than VND 2 million through a fake page. In May and June 2025 the hotel had heard of 4 tourists scammed of more than VND 50 million in total in the same way. The scammers also build websites that fake a hotel’s domain name, look and images.
How to avoid it
The chairman of the Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Tourism Association advises booking directly with the hotel, resort or a reputable travel company, or through platforms such as Booking and Agoda. When you book through social media, check for a newly created Facebook page with unusually many good reviews, or room prices that are too cheap.
When in doubt, do not transfer a deposit but contact the hotel directly to verify. Do not follow instructions to transfer money for reasons such as a wrong message syntax or money being frozen in the system. The Department of Tourism asked hotels to publish their official fanpages widely, so look for the hotel’s own announcement.
Booking sites, rooms that vanish and fake emails
Van Hoa newspaper, in a report that mentions Tet 2025, says scammers also build websites of big booking platforms such as Booking.com, Agoda and Airbnb. The aim is to steal credit card details or take a deposit and then disappear.
During holidays and Tet, some small hotels work with touts and tell guests the room is cancelled or full. The guest is then forced to book another room at a higher price.
Guests have also received fake emails from hotels or travel companies asking them to confirm payment, in order to steal their information. The authorities advise booking through reputable websites with two-factor authentication and reading guest reviews. They also advise checking the booking site address for spelling errors or an unprofessional layout, and contacting the hotel directly to confirm the booking.
Where to report a fake page
The Department of Tourism asked businesses to send fake website and fanpage details to the Department of Information and Communications. Report the payment itself through the channels in “Where to report” below.
Fake e-visa websites
The Vietnam e-visa portal’s FAQ gives evisa.gov.vn and thithucdientu.gov.vn as the addresses of its information page. It warns that unofficial pages may charge unauthorized fees. Check the address before you enter passport details. Fees, validity and entry gates are in Vietnam E-Visa for Nha Trang.
Taxis and airport transfers
How it works
Van Hoa newspaper, in a report that mentions Tet 2025, listed earlier Nha Trang cases of taxis not switching on the meter and quoting several times the normal price. It also listed detours to add to the fare, and drivers posing as genuine taxis with copied logos or fake uniforms.
The same report says some cyclo drivers quoted a low price first and then found reasons to raise it, such as charging per person. These are press accounts without dates for the individual cases.
How to avoid it
Use a published fare as your reference. As of 12/02/2025, Xanh SM listed an opening fare of 29,500 VND for the first 2 km in Nha Trang. It says the table is for reference only and may change.
At the airport, the transport page lists a 4-seat Quoc Te taxi to Nha Trang city at 300,000 VND. It lists a 4-seat GSM (Xanh SM) car at 350,000 VND one way. Grab says its fares are upfront and fixed, except GrabTaxi, so you know the price before you book. Compare these figures before you accept a driver’s price.
Nguyen Tat Thanh, Bac Cam Ranh, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Open Cam Ranh International Airport in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
More fares are in Getting Around Nha Trang and Cam Ranh Airport to Nha Trang.
Where to report
Overcharging, price-forcing and touting fall under the support regulation’s list of reports. Use the hotline described in “Where to report” below.
Motorbike rental deposits and documents
How it works
Shops ask for a document or cash as a deposit. San Ho Viet says it checks the ID card and driving licence, then keeps one of the two as the deposit. A renter without identity papers must leave a cash deposit of 3,000,000 to 10,000,000 VND depending on the bike, or is refused.
Like Bike says the contract needs the details of a foreign passport and a deposit that is returned when the bike is handed back. VIETMOTO says its deposit is a pre-authorization hold returned after the bike comes back. In June 2026 one reviewer wrote that a passport can be replaced by about 200,000 KRW or 100 USD.
How to avoid disputes
Like Bike’s process is to sign the agreement, pay the deposit and fee, take a brief instruction and photos of the bike, and compare the condition on return. Take photos of the bike before you leave, as Like Bike’s process does.
San Ho Viet says damaged parts must be replaced with genuine parts, and that welded or repaired cracks are not accepted. Ask what the repair rule is before you sign.
Licence rules and fines are in Motorbike Rental in Nha Trang and Riding Without a Licence in Nha Trang.
Where to report
For a dispute over a deposit, note that the support regulation covers reports about service quality and prices, and disagreements in transactions. The hotline is in “Where to report” below.
Night market and street prices
How it works
A VinWonders guide says prices at the Nha Trang Night Market can be higher, so consider bargaining. It also says to shop towards the middle or end of the market for better deals. It also says to beware of pickpockets and keep valuables secure.
Google reviewers in September and October 2026 say prices are higher than in shops, and one calls it a rip-off compared to Dam Market. Another says haggling is quite difficult.
In May 2026 a street vendor in Nha Trang was fined VND 3.4 million after a Thai tourist said he tried to charge VND 100,000 for one ice cream. The violations were selling on a banned sidewalk, entering a restricted area of Tue Tinh Park and not displaying prices. Authorities said they were still investigating whether it was deliberate overcharging, and the vendor denied the VND 100,000 price.
How to avoid it
Confirm the price before ordering, because seafood prices can vary between stalls. A local guide says reductions of 50 to 70 percent from the opening price are realistic if you negotiate and are willing to walk away. Hours and what each stall sells are in Nha Trang Night Market.
Tran Phu, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Open Nha Trang Night Market in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Restaurants and cheap tours
How it works
After a restaurant bill was posted online, a Nha Trang inter-agency check found 5 violations. They included not posting prices in any of the legally required ways and selling above the posted price. Van Hoa newspaper reports that some free or very low priced tours take guests to shops and press them to buy at inflated prices.
How to avoid it
Some famous tourist stops and rest stops sell handicrafts and local specialities that are in fact fake, imported from abroad or poor quality. Confirm the price before ordering. The authorities advise thinking twice about “0 dong” or very cheap tours and choosing companies with a travel business licence.
Beach theft and bag grabs
What was reported in 2026
On 12 May 2026 a man was caught taking a Ukrainian tourist’s red crossbody bag from a parked motorbike on Tran Phu beach while the owner swam. Patrol officers had noticed him riding suspiciously along the beach and followed him.
In April 2026 provincial police detained three people over thefts from tourists on the beach. Two picked victims and kept watch, and one did the stealing. Between 2 and 9 April they reportedly committed six thefts, taking nine phones and US$400. Authorities said the group targeted tourists with exposed belongings.
Nha Trang Ward police counted 4 cases with 7 offenders for beach theft from April 2026 to 21 August 2026. In one, two South Korean women left phones on the sand and went swimming, and the offender grabbed them and ran. The ward police said the risk remains and that patrols, including plainclothes, would be stepped up along Tran Phu.
How to avoid it
Every reported case involved belongings left unattended while the owner swam. Leave phones and bags with someone who stays on the sand, or leave them at the hotel. If something is taken, report it to local authorities or call the *2258 hotline.
Long Son Pagoda touts
On 3 August 2026 street vendors were still working outside Long Son Pagoda’s entrance, and motorcycle operators were soliciting tourists. The motorcycle touts charged VND 30,000-40,000 for a round trip to the Buddha statue, so visitors skip the stairs. Signs inside the grounds warn against using these motorcycle services.
The Tay Nha Trang Ward chairman said the ward would soon introduce measures to eliminate street vending and the unauthorized motorcycle service. Decide before you arrive whether you want the ride; saying no once at the entrance is the simplest way to avoid the approach. The pagoda itself is covered in Long Son Pagoda.
Where to report
The province set up a tourist-support hotline *2258 (mobile), running 24/24, including holidays and Tet, according to Van Hoa newspaper on 3/12/2025. The tourism portal prints *2258 in a hotline bar and lists its office at 61 Yersin, Tay Nha Trang Ward, with the phone number 0258.3815174/3829357.
The support regulation covers handling reports on touting, cheating, price-raising, price-forcing, fraud and misappropriation of property. It also covers help with lost or stolen passports, ID cards and flight tickets. It does not include receiving and handling complaint or denunciation petitions.
For a crime, the Khanh Hoa Provincial Police portal lists its address as 80 Tran Phu, Nha Trang. The same portal describes 113 as the number for public security and order. Other numbers are in Nha Trang Emergency Numbers.
80 Tran Phu, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Open Khanh Hoa Provincial Police Headquarters in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Before you pay
- Hotel: contact the hotel directly before any deposit.
- Hotel: ask where the hotel’s official fanpage is announced.
- E-visa: type evisa.gov.vn yourself.
- Taxi: compare the driver’s price with the published fare.
- Motorbike: take photos of the bike before departure.
- Market and beach vendors: confirm the price before ordering.
- Beach: do not leave phones or bags unattended while you swim.
- Hotline: *2258 was reported open 24/24.
Photos and clips uploaded to Google Maps (Nha Trang Beach on Google Maps (opens in a new tab), San Ho Viet Motorbike Rental on Google Maps (opens in a new tab), True Friends Easy Rider on Google Maps (opens in a new tab), Night Market Nha Trang on Google Maps (opens in a new tab), Dam Market on Google Maps (opens in a new tab), Cam Ranh International Airport on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)) by @Tâm Nguyễn Văn, @Thuê Xe Máy Nha Trang San Hô Việt, @Easy Rider Nha Trang (Electric Scooters Available), @윤동훈, @Kien Cuong Le Van, @Bibisohara ARNAGOL, @Thần Thoại.
Step by step
- Stop payingWhen in doubt, do not transfer a deposit and contact the hotel directly.
- Call the tourist hotlineVan Hoa reported the hotline *2258, 24/24, including holidays and Tet.
- Report overcharging or fraudThe support regulation covers reports on touting, cheating, price-raising, price-forcing, fraud and misappropriation of property.
- Go to the police if neededThe Khanh Hoa Provincial Police portal lists its address as 80 Tran Phu, Nha Trang.
Not confirmed: Spiked drink buckets and bar pickpocketing are repeated online, but no police or press source was found, so they are not covered. The hotel warnings come from the Department of Tourism. The text of the tourist-support regulation was not read, so confirm the hotline before relying on it. The street-price cases carry no dates.
Common questions
What scam have Nha Trang authorities warned about?
The Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism wrote to the provincial police and tourism businesses about fake hotel fanpages that take deposits. SGGP reported that 15 accommodation providers had complained.
How do the fake hotel pages work?
They copy information from real hotels, change the contact phone number and run ads. They usually ask tourists to book and transfer 50% of the deposit in advance.
How do I check a hotel before paying a deposit?
When in doubt, do not transfer a deposit but contact the hotel directly to verify. The tourism association chairman advises booking directly or through platforms such as Booking and Agoda.
What is the Khanh Hoa tourist hotline?
Van Hoa newspaper reported on 3/12/2025 a 24/24 hotline *2258 for tourists, including holidays and Tet. The tourism portal prints *2258 in its hotline bar.
Does the tourist hotline take formal complaints?
The regulation covers support to tourists and does not include receiving and handling complaint or denunciation petitions, according to Van Hoa.
How much does a Xanh SM taxi cost in Nha Trang?
As of 12/02/2025, Xanh SM listed an opening fare of 29,500 VND for the first 2 km, and says the table is a reference only.
Are airport taxi prices fixed?
The airport's transport page lists a 4-seat Quoc Te taxi to Nha Trang city at 300,000 VND and a 4-seat GSM (Xanh SM) car at 350,000 VND one way.
What deposit do motorbike rental shops take?
San Ho Viet checks an ID card and driving licence and keeps one of the two as the deposit. VIETMOTO says its deposit is a pre-authorization hold returned after the bike comes back.
Can I haggle at the Nha Trang night market?
A VinWonders guide says prices can be higher, so consider bargaining. Another guide says reductions of 50 to 70 percent are realistic if you walk away.
Is the Vietnam e-visa website evisa.gov.vn the official one?
The portal's FAQ gives evisa.gov.vn and thithucdientu.gov.vn as the addresses and warns that unofficial pages may charge unauthorized fees.
Is bag theft a problem on Nha Trang beach?
Police caught thieves taking phones and a bag from swimmers on the beach in April and May 2026. Provincial police said the group targeted tourists with exposed belongings.
Do I need to pay for a motorbike ride up to the Buddha at Long Son Pagoda?
Touts charged VND 30,000-40,000 for a round trip in August 2026. Signs in the grounds warn against using these motorcycle services.
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General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
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