>> Scam artists target tourists in Hanoi
>> Readers demand action from authorities to end tourist scams
>> Authorities determined to put an end to scam artists
>> Tourists back at ease as scam artists are wiped off Hanoi centre
>> Scam, nuisance or good deed?
Unpleasant images of tourists being scammed on the streets of Hanoi have resurfaced, causing anger to the public and harming Vietnam’s image.
A previous story published months ago regarding a group of women scamming tourists stirred up strong waves of reactions from readers. People were very concerned that these kind of deceitful acts were harming the image of Hanoi in the eyes of foreign visitors. Hanoians felt their sense of honour and pride in a famous city were being destroyed. For many, it seemed all efforts in trying to promote a friendly and civilised image of the capital city to international tourists had been tarnished and perhaps even lost.
Local authorities were determined to put an end to the scamming. However, after keeping a low profile, it appears that those scam artists have again appeared on the streets of Hanoi.
DTiNews reporters, on the afternoon of July 1, followed the trail of the con-artists where they now operate their activities - the Old Quarter. Before, they mainly stayed close to Hoan Kiem Lake and approached tourists from around this area, but have now moved to different streets in the Old Quarter, trying not to draw as much attention as the last time. Streets like Nguyen Huu Huan, Hang Ma, Hang Chieu, and Hang Duong have been the site where this group of women have once again put on their disguise as street vendors and forced tourists to take pictures and buy goods.
Below are pictures DTiNews captured on streets in the Old Quarter July first:
