Holidays, especially Tet, offer a chance for everyone to unwind. As people flock to crowded tourist spots during these times, many eateries flourish in dishonest practices, overcharging unsuspecting travelers. However, it's not difficult for you to avoid these invisible traps.
Here are some travel hacks to help you steer clear of being 'ripped off' at tourist destinations during holidays, especially Tet.
Smart Travel Tips to Avoid Tourist Traps
1. Research Before You Go
Exploring the destination beforehand, including restaurants, hotels, and attractions, will help you dodge the tourist trap. Apps like Foody, Lozi, etc., can be valuable for researching eateries.
2. Inquire about Prices and Pay Immediately
Being cautious is never too much, even in seemingly straightforward situations like asking about prices before making a payment. This helps you avoid the risk of being overcharged and also plays with the psyche of those trying to rip you off.
With this travel hack, paying right after inquiring about prices almost extinguishes most potential risks. In some cases, despite agreeing on a price, you might still end up with different charges. To be extra sure, you can opt for immediate payment.
3. Capture Evidence of Violations
Unreasonable receipts, sky-high menu prices... all serve as crucial evidence to prove instances of overcharging. This is a quick and easy task with high effectiveness. While you may not resolve the overcharging situation, it greatly benefits future travelers.
4. Look Up the Contact Number of Relevant Authorities
Always note down the contact numbers of relevant authorities, authorized units, etc., which can be called upon for assistance when issues arise. Especially in many developed tourist provinces or any province with hotlines for customers to report overcharging. Informing these authorities can make wrongdoers think twice and give in. This is one of the travel tips often overlooked by most tourists.
5. Means of Transportation
Recently, many customers, especially foreign tourists, have complained about overcharging issues with taxis. Therefore, when using a taxi, check the price and meter readings beforehand. Plan the closest route on the map to avoid unjust charges. If using a motorbike taxi, negotiate the price before starting the ride and pay only upon reaching the destination. If renting a motorcycle, inquire about the rental price, whether it includes fuel, and the return schedule.
By Phuongdongtourist
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Reference: Mytour Travel Handbook
MytourJanuary 30, 2015