Sidewalk eateries in Saigon also know how to charge exorbitant prices.

Street vendors selling chicken noodle soup on the roadside for up to 70,000 dong, with grilled nem (spring rolls) listed at 30,000 dong but the seller conveniently forgets to adjust the price and charges 50,000 dong instead.

Mrs. Nga in Binh Thanh district can't forget her extra class experience at the Banking University in Ho Chi Minh City. With little money in her pocket, she only dares to choose sidewalk eateries on Ham Nghi Street (District 1) for a quick meal. The eatery is quite simple, with all the cooking ingredients hanging on a cart, a few plastic tables and chairs, chopsticks, and no ready-made condiments like chili sauce. However, the price of chicken noodle soup is no different from those in upscale restaurants, not the usual 20,000-25,000 dong like the sidewalk eateries she usually visits.

'I was truly shocked when the chicken noodle soup was priced at 70,000 dong,' Mrs. Nga said. Because there's nothing special about it compared to ordinary eateries, just a few small pieces of shredded chicken, some dried bamboo shoots, and a little onion. The vegetable plate consists entirely of water spinach, with a few sprigs of basil scattered on top, a type of cheap vegetable that could be given for free. Meanwhile, local chicken is very expensive, costing up to 160,000 dong per kg.

'Sometimes, I doubt if the owner sells real local chicken. Sometimes they hang a few local chicken in front just to attract customers, but when cooked, they might not use that type because the broth isn't rich, and the meat is tough,' Mrs. Nga said. Since then, she promised herself not to return to that eatery and avoid unfamiliar ones to avoid being ripped off.

Hang in Binh Thanh district also encountered a similar situation. Once, the two sisters bought goods at Ba Chieu Market (Binh Thanh District) and stopped by a grilled nem stall on the market's edge. The price board clearly stated 30,000 dong per serving, but when it came to paying, it was raised to 50,000 dong. Surprised by the nearly double price, Hang questioned the stall owner, but she just mumbled that she forgot to adjust it. Asking several other nearby vendors, everyone warned Hang to be careful when eating here, although the prices are displayed like that, it's necessary to double-check because it's strange that they would 'rip off' without hesitation.

Mr. Phuc, residing in District 3, still remembers the time he got ripped off at a noodle soup stall at the intersection of Hung Vuong and Le Hong Phong streets (District 5). Although the place doesn't look fancy, with old tables and chairs crammed together on the sidewalk, he thought a bowl of noodle soup here would cost at most 30,000 dong but ended up being charged 55,000 dong. 'This price is equivalent to some restaurants, clean eateries with staff service, and full air conditioning right in the city center. If I knew it would cost 55,000 dong, I would never have come,' he said.

Not only sidewalk eateries but roadside beverage stalls also squeeze customers' wallets.

Recently, Mr. Huy and his girlfriend went to chill under Khanh Hoi Bridge (connecting District 1 and District 4). While enjoying the breeze, a woman rushed over with various snacks and drinks. Mr. Huy, impressed by her enthusiasm, ordered drinks, grilled rice paper, and flan cakes.

When it came to paying, the woman claimed 60,000 dong for 2 bottles of water (which usually cost 6,000-10,000 dong each outside), 2 tiny flan cakes for 40,000 dong, and 2 grilled rice papers for 40,000 dong. In total, he had to pay 140,000 dong for 3 mediocre snacks that didn't guarantee hygiene, but he still had to reluctantly pay.

Ngoc, in Binh Thanh district, also shared an experience. Once, with friends strolling around Turtle Lake, Pham Ngoc Thach Street (District 3), the group decided to stop by a roadside beverage stall. Due to limited budgets, they didn't dare to enter the fancy establishments around the lake, opting for a small stall on the sidewalk between Tran Cao Van and Pham Ngoc Thach streets. They ordered 2 coconuts, 2 ice creams, and 3 orange juices, and were charged 300,000 dong. Specifically, 2 coconuts for 80,000 dong (while they usually cost 8,000 dong each at the market, even at pricier eateries they're only around 20,000 dong), 2 ice creams for 100,000 dong, and 3 orange juices for 120,000 dong.

'When we left, everyone in our group blamed themselves. With this amount of money, we could've gone to a decent, upscale establishment. Just because of saving money, we chose a place with a few plastic chairs, thinking it's cheap, but they ripped us off badly,' Ngoc sighed.

After several unjustified rip-offs, Mrs. Nga from Binh Thanh district learned a valuable lesson: never eat or drink anything at unfamiliar places, and always inquire about the prices beforehand. When it comes to chilling spots, to avoid getting ripped off, diners need to understand where they're going. The best approach is to steer clear of hustlers and solicitors. For extra caution, it's advisable to bring along light snacks to save on costs.

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Source: Travel Guide from Mytour – According to VnExpress