Located on the banks of Thi Vai River, Phu My Town, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province, Phu My Port is the first deep sea port in the Southern region and can handle large cruise ships. Coming to Phu My Port, cruise passengers can choose to visit near by tourist attractions when their cruises stay in port. Travel scams as well as scams in cruise ports are common in the world. Vietnam and Southern Vietnam are safe for foreigners to travel but there are still scams in Phu My Port. I would like to share with you the techniques scammers use to fool you at this sea port.
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Taxi scams in Phu My Port
Taxis are around the gate of Phu My Port around the arrival time of cruise ships. Taxis are not allowed to drive into the port area through the gate. If you have not booked anything in advance, simply walk or take a small transfer from your cruise ship to the gate, it is not recommended to go with one of the available taxis. There are some reasons, including fake taxis, overpriced offers, and low-quality services.
In Vietnam, we call them “taxi dù” which literally means umbrella taxis. They are not from any company, taxi drivers – owners are not operated. Although there are some good drivers and offer good services, some drivers wait for foreigners from cruise ships and believe that they can “steal” money from passengers. How do they usually that?
Some drivers use fake taxi meters to force passengers to pay more expensive fare. Further, drivers can deal good prices for the transfers, but ask for additional fees and hidden fees such as toll fees and parking fees at the end of the trip. In case you do not agree to pay the money, you may encounter some problems.
Instead of using a taxi meter to calculate the fare based on both time and distance, a driver may offer a tourist an overpriced total price for the whole trip and successfully close the deal. Worst of all, passengers get robbed by taxi drivers.
You should choose taxis from reliable taxi companies in Vietnam. Mai Linh and Vinasun are the two most popular taxi companies in the country. It is not easy for international tourists to distinguish a real Vinasun taxi from a fake Vinasun taxi.
Actually, the taxi fare is not lower than the cost of transfer from Phu My Port to a travel destination. For example, the taxi far from Phu My Port to Vung Tau City is about 675,000 VND. The cost for 2-way transfer by taxi is 1,350,000 VND, and you need to pay more for the taxi fares in the city. Travel agents or transfer service providers offer you from 2,200,000 VND for the whole trip, cars are always with passengers in Vung Tau City.
Here are some advice:
- Do not deal with taxi drivers, do not use taxi services without the help of an acquaintance.
- Book a private or group transfer with a trusted travel agent or your cruise line.
- Book a transfer in advance because a last-minute booking makes you waste time waiting.
Scams in Phu My Port to avoid – Taxi scams – trusted Mai Linh taxi company
Currency scams in Phu My Port
Fake Vietnamese notes are the most common scams that international tourists need to know about. Some Vietnamese people including drivers and free men around Phu My Port can ask cruise ship passengers to exchange foreign currencies for Vietnamese Dong. The exchange rates offered by strange people are often lower than banks’ rates. Much worse, they may take real notes from cruise ship passengers and give back fake Vietnamese notes. We do recommend you not to exchange money with strangers.
Scams in Phu My Port to avoid – Currency scams
Vendor scams in Phu My Port
Vendors selling snacks and other small items walk around the port gate. They may ask international travelers to buy something. They may give you your change in cash, and the Vietnamese Dong notes are not real.
A vendor can suddenly put something into your hands and you accidentally hold it. After that, the vendor can ask you to pay for it and the price is very high. You can not return it and lose your money.
Transfer service broker
When you have just gone out of the gate of Phu My Port, a stranger can get close to you and tell you that he is pleased to help you to arrange a transfer or a tour. You can think that he is professional and a kind person. Finally, the man can ask for brokerage fees after you agree with the prices, meet the drivers and tour guides.
