A video circulating on social media shows the unusual exchange between a ride-hailing driver from Hoi An and a foreign tourist.
At the end of the journey, the tourist took out six VND 500,000 banknotes, worth a total of VND 3 million (USD 115), and handed them to the driver. The driver hesitated after receiving the money because the fare was far lower.
Nguyen Tran Tuan Dung, 28, identified himself as the driver in the video. He said he had driven a group of foreign tourists for about 20km, with a fare of just over VND 250,000 (USD 9.50).
"When we arrived, they took six VND 500,000 notes and handed them to me. I stopped for a moment and tried to explain that they had made a mistake," Dung said.
The driver then held up one finger to indicate that the tourists only needed to pay one VND 500,000 note. The passenger gradually realised the mistake and repeatedly apologised.
When Dung returned the change, however, the tourist took back only VND 200,000 and gave the rest to the driver as a tip.
Impressed by the driver's honesty, the group called Dung again later that day to provide another ride. The next journey cost around VND 700,000 (USD 27). This time, the tourist handed him two VND 500,000 notes and one VND 200,000 note, totalling VND 1.2 million (USD 46).
Once again, Dung explained that the passenger had overpaid and returned the excess money.
The driver said he had only been working in the profession for about four months but had already collected several memorable experiences with customers. Foreign tourists mistakenly handing him the wrong amount of money was relatively common, he said.
There had also been occasions when passengers voluntarily paid extra because they were pleased with his service. Dung recalled one journey that cost around VND 250,000 (USD 9.50), after which a passenger gave him VND 1 million (USD 38) as a tip because they appreciated his attentiveness.
"I only take the amount that fairly reflects my work. If customers are satisfied, they can choose to leave a tip. That is how I can build goodwill and contribute to creating a better image of Vietnamese people in the eyes of foreign visitors," Dung said.
