I almost got scammed at HCMC airport (boohoo)

It's not really that exciting so read only if you're bored and curious. 😳

Background context (which may or may not be relevant):

- I was there for a wedding which starts at 6pm & dinner at 7pm, and my supposed flight was supposed to arrive around 1.30pm that same day.

- However, just 2 hours before the flight(!!), SQ decided to delay by 2hours and so I only arrived at HCMC around 4+pm.

- With the immigration (super long queue) and a huge hoo-ha at the airport because I couldn't get my data roaming to work and hence I wouldn't be able to book Grab, I only got out of the airport at 6pm.

Now here's the story.

On the Grab app, it says to go to the parking lot which I was trying to find (obviously with a face that says "I'm finding something"). A guy in front asked me to go "there" which my face was like huh?

So he brought me there and then said he will call my Grab driver to tell him where I am. So on the speaker mode, they talked in Vietnamese, and after the call, the guy told me that the Grab driver will take a long time/not able to come (I'm not sure as his English was kinda broken) because he's at the domestic airport while I'm at the international airport.

I was a little sus but I'm like ok lor I will cancel and re-book. The guy then small-talk with me while I was booking and said how about he drive me to my location and charge me the Grab price.

The naive, dumb and not-thinking + panicking me (cause I was late) just said ok cause.. I'm dumb. Got in the car and the guy said that need to pay 15,000 VND for the airport fee. I gave him 20,000 VND and he said cannot. I didn't understand why but I just assumed that airport only accept exact amount. (sus right another red flag I should have known)

It was 6+pm.

The sky was dark, the car was dark.

So I took out my wallet and tried to find 15,000 VND but I could not find, and I told him that it's ok just give my 20,000 VND. He said no and then try to take my wallet!! I resisted and he said he help me check. I said NO, but he was super fast — somehow he managed to steal a 500,000 VND, and slipped it in between the car spaces. (LIKE HOW IDK)

Luckily for me..

Amazing sharp nocturnal eyes of mine caught that awful and disgusting act of his. Somehow, the ballsy me acted up and I got SO mad.

I spoke loudly at him angrily "You scam my money, you're horrible", proceed to take back my money, and left with my luggage.

I think he was a bit stunned (tbh me too at what happened) and just sat there while I walked away (before he proceeded to find his next victim)

I was left scarred and anxious, afraid of how the rest of the trip would turn out. I almost couldn't even enjoy the wedding because of it and I could not look forward to the other days.

Conclusion: No matter how inconvenient it is, ALWAYS book Grab in Vietnam, especially if you're travelling alone and if you're a lady that looks naive! Don't be dumb like me..

Nonetheless, VN is full of very friendly and kind people. Don't let one incident bring you down!

#hochiminhcity #hochiminh #scam