Common Tourist Scams in Da Nang (and How to Avoid Them)
Scams — the short list for a comparatively honest city
- Taxi from DAD airport: only use Mai Linh (green) or Vinasun (white with red logo) at the official rank. Grab is the cleanest — book before leaving the terminal.
- "Broken meter" taxi: ask for the meter ("đồng hồ"); if the driver refuses, walk to the next cab.
- Tailoring overcharge: more of a Hoi An problem but a few Da Nang touts pull tourists toward "the best tailor". Bespoke suits/dresses can be excellent value, but get measured at established shops (Yaly, BeBe in Hoi An; Da Nang's stable shops are inside Han Market).
- "Free coffee, look at my shop" pitch: low-pressure version of the Egyptian carpet scam. Tea or coffee is fine, walk away from the merchandise.
- Restaurant "tourist menu": a few places near the Dragon Bridge keep two menus with different prices. Ask for the menu locals use (the bánh mì stand has one price for everyone).
- Card-skimming: rare in Da Nang. Use bank ATMs (Vietcombank, BIDV, Vietinbank) inside lobbies; avoid freestanding ATMs in less-trafficked alleys.
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