The harassment and overcharging of tourists by street vendors and shoe shiners not only damage the image of the destination but also reduce its attractiveness as a tourist spot.
Following complaints from numerous tourists, reporters from the Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper spent several days observing and documenting the reality of street vendors and shoe shiners harassing and bothering tourists in the central area of Ho Chi Minh City. Although the situation has improved somewhat, it remains quite complex.
Annoyed, fed up.
In front of Ben Thanh Market on Phan Boi Chau Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Patrick, a tourist from the United States, was chatting with his relatives when a street vendor kept pestering him to buy sunglasses. Despite Mr. Patrick's repeated refusals through gestures, the vendor persisted, showing him one pair of sunglasses after another.
We noticed Patrick's face clearly showed embarrassment, then annoyance. A few minutes later, when he realized the customers hadn't changed their minds, the street vendor finally left.
Speaking to reporters shortly afterward, Mr. Patrick said this was his first time visiting Ho Chi Minh City as a tourist. "Being pressured to buy something in such a situation made me feel very awkward and annoyed," he stated frankly.
At the corner of Le Loi and Nam Ky Khoi Nghia streets, in front of Takashimaya Shopping Center, District 1, we witnessed a group of about four shoe shiners regularly appearing and constantly soliciting tourists, especially foreigners. According to our investigation, the fee for shining each pair of shoes is only 25,000-30,000 VND, but when they "catch" an international tourist, they don't hesitate to charge exorbitant prices.
A foreign tourist was just pulling his suitcase through the area when he was immediately approached by one of the shoe shiners. He tried to pull the tourist to the side of the road to offer his shoes shine, despite the tourist repeatedly refusing in English: "I don't have any money... I don't have any money with me." However, the shoe shiner persisted: "It's okay, you can pay later." After a few minutes of unsuccessful attempts, the shoe shiner finally let go of the tourist.
In this area, tourists walking from Takashimaya Shopping Center towards Ben Thanh Market frequently encounter many young men carrying baskets of shoe-shining equipment. They sit along the sidewalks, trying to entice tourists to polish shoes, re-heel them, raise the soles, etc. Many tourists appear helpless, struggling to escape these people, but there is no sign of law enforcement officers around to deal with the situation.
According to John, an American tourist traveling with his family, Ho Chi Minh City was their first destination on their cross-Vietnam trip. He said he was very annoyed and worried about his family's safety after someone... arbitrarily offered to shine his shoes for $5, even though he had previously refused. "To avoid disrupting our trip, I paid $2, and only then did he leave," the tourist lamented.
A similar situation occurs at many popular tourist spots in the central area of Ho Chi Minh City, such as the City Post Office , Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Hall, the War Remnants Museum, and Ben Thanh Market. These locations, which attract a large number of domestic and international tourists, are frequently visited by shoe shiners, street vendors, or beggars. According to our estimates, around 20 people regularly gather around these locations, primarily approaching and soliciting international tourists.
Ho Chi Minh City is entering its peak season for international tourists, yet the problem of vendors and shoe shiners harassing and pestering tourists remains unresolved. (Photo: Thai Phuong - Le Tinh)
No matter the price, you're still "stuck".
Posing as tourists, we went to a crowded cafe on Phan Chu Trinh Street, near Ben Thanh Market. In just 10-15 minutes, we witnessed more than a dozen street vendors approaching foreign tourists, offering souvenirs, hand fans, cigarettes... or offering shoe shining services.
The fee for shoe shining for Vietnamese tourists is usually only around 50,000 VND, but for foreign tourists, it's "priceless." Typically, foreign tourists pay 3-5 USD per pair, but those who are easygoing and easily taken advantage of are often ripped off by shoe shiners. Not to mention, once a customer agrees to have their shoes shined, these people often add extra services like heel repair or insole replacement, potentially charging millions of VND.
Meanwhile, street vendors often observe tourists' reactions to closely monitor and negotiate prices for their goods. If they see that a customer is interested, they immediately quote a very high price. For example, a pack of cigarettes or a mini handheld fan might be priced at 100,000 VND, but the customer might bargain down to 50,000-60,000 VND, and either way, the customer will "fall for it".
An employee at a shop on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 1, said: "I frequently witness shoe shiners pestering and overcharging foreign tourists, even arguing over the exorbitant prices. Although authorities crack down on them and issue fines, these people return to their old ways after a short time."
In the central area of Ho Chi Minh City, we also frequently encounter men carrying coconuts on their shoulders to sell. They usually operate along streets such as Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Vo Van Tan... (District 1, District 3). Not only do they pester customers, but many brazenly place their coconut baskets on tourists' shoulders, chop coconuts and offer them to drink, then insist on high prices regardless of whether the customer agrees or not.
Many tourists reported having to pay up to 150,000 VND for just two coconuts. These men even brazenly rummaged through wallets to take money, leaving many tourists both astonished and outraged.
In the area around the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office, reporters observed street vendors frequently crowding into groups of international tourists to solicit their goods. Despite tourists waving them away, the vendors persistently followed them throughout their sightseeing tour. Many tourists, perhaps witnessing this for the first time, appeared embarrassed and flustered.
Afraid to spend money, I no longer want to come back.
Leaders of several travel companies said they frequently receive complaints from international tourists about being harassed and pressured to buy goods at tourist attractions. This makes tourists feel uncomfortable and hinders them from fully enjoying their travel experience.
Ms. Le Hoa, a tourism employee in District 1, commented: "The haggling, pulling, and overcharging behavior not only affects the image of Ho Chi Minh City but also reduces the attractiveness of tourism. Many foreign tourists become hesitant to spend money for fear of being cheated."
Ms. Hoa said she has many foreign friends who visit Ho Chi Minh City and they are all upset about this situation. "If there aren't sanctions and corrective measures soon, tourists will no longer dare to spend money, and may even stop wanting to return," she worried.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism Inspectorate, the majority of street vendors, shoe shiners, and coconut sellers in the city center are immigrants or temporary residents from the suburbs. Alongside legitimate vendors seeking a livelihood, there is a segment who exploit street vending and shoe shining activities to harass or even steal property from tourists, especially international visitors.
These individuals typically operate in organized groups, dividing themselves into small teams. They choose times when authorities are less active, such as early morning or late evening, and congregate in areas with many tourists.
(To be continued)
Shameful incidents
In mid-September 2024, a video circulated on social media showing the popular YouTuber IShowSpeed visiting downtown Ho Chi Minh City. There, he was charged 1 million VND to rent a self-balancing skateboard while livestreaming with millions of viewers.
This information spread rapidly worldwide , becoming the focus of debate among many people on social media. Many people, including Vietnamese, expressed shame over this "price gouging" behavior.
Previously, in October 2023, a video surfaced on social media showing a Taiwanese tourist exposing the exorbitant prices charged by a street vendor selling coconuts, sparking outrage among netizens. The TikToker stated that she was at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum when a vendor quoted her 150,000 VND per coconut. After she questioned the price, the vendor quickly lowered it to 50,000 VND!
We also tried approaching a shoe shiner named C., residing in District 12, Ho Chi Minh City, who looked rather worn out. C. said he had been shining shoes for many years around District 1 and District 3. According to him, the exorbitant prices charged by shoe shiners in tourist-heavy areas such as Saigon Square, Ben Thanh Market, Le Loi Street, Nguyen Hue Street, etc., have seriously affected the livelihoods of those who earn an honest living.
"Many tourists have probably 'heard about' or experienced being harassed or ripped off, so when they meet us, they seem hesitant, even avoiding us," Mr. C. stated, describing the situation. He revealed the tricks of unscrupulous shoe shiners: They often offer relatively cheap prices, only a few tens of thousands of dong per pair, then invent various excuses – such as shoes with open toes, needing insoles, etc. – to charge up to 1-2 million dong.
"They only need to attract one or two customers a day to make a good living, while we work hard but earn very little. Their tricks tarnish the reputation of the entire shoe-shining profession, especially damaging the city's tourism image," Mr. C. complained.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/du-khach-phien-long-du-lich-se-that-thu-196241124200640406.htm
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