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I once took a taxi from the Old Quarter to the Chinese Embassy and the meter read VND2,400,000. A trip on exactly the same route had only cost me VND32,000 the previous day.

Surprised, I hesitated, and the driver kindly wrote the amount down on the back of one of his forms. Still have it as a memento.

What the driver didn't realise was that I was counting the meter and at a point near arrival, he tried to distract me and push a button on the meter which made it jump.

I got  out my wallet, and opened the door, holding it with my foot, and gave him VND32,000.

Had he argued, or driven off he would have damaged his vehicle. He swore but he knew he was beaten.

In Ha Noi:
1. Only use named taxis such as Mai Linh or Ha Noi Taxi;
2. Always ask a local roughly how much to your destination;
3. Always make a note of the cab number and the drivers ID card;
4. Never ride a cab where the meter is NOT mounted on the window dash - a meter lower down can be fiddled;
5. Always keep packages on your lap - not on the back seat or trunk;
6. When you arrive, always open the door before paying the driver;
7. If the driver has no change, just say Mien Phi (free), they all know VN law says they must give change.

There are over 100 registered taxi companies in Ha Noi, but only use the recommended ones. The airport taxis have no meters, the do fixed price by zones. Use the VN Airlines shuttle instead -it goes to Hoan Kiem Lake VN Airlines office. $2-3 only.

Hello HorizonViet Nam.

Thank you for these informations.

I invite you to recommend these Taxi services into the Hanoi Business directory - Transportation section.

Thank you,
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I just returned from Hanoi. Taxi is one of my bad point about Hanoi. I was very upset when I must paid for differrent amount for the same route everyday.

I love Vietnam, I love my country. But some people have reduced our value and culture.

I was suprised and feel strainged with behaviours of the north people. I've been travelling thought VN,visiting, talking, helping people ...But I scared in Hanoi (I'm sad to say so but it's true) .

Me, I count the meter clicks when I go to SaiGon.

Never pay if it's a bad reading, I say call the police - pirate taxis don't like the law.

They should make taxis use different coloured licence plates.

not at all, some of them. actually Ha noi is beauty and Vietnamese people are warm and friendly.

A while ago, I went with a friend for a drink by taxi, way to district 1, 182000 VND (early afternoon), we tipped, ok fine. The way back (19:00), same company, we had 1 300 000 VND on the meter. The driver insisted on full payment. We used the maximum punishment - no pay at all. No driver will not attack me/us (130 and 150 kg would have stand against him).

l3ully wrote:

... way to district 1, 182000 VND (early afternoon), we tipped, ok fine. The way back (19:00), same company, we had 1 300 000 VND on the meter...

I am very strict with drivers and have reported them to management which has resulted in their termination. Undoubtedly more so than you.

However, I would not have stiffed the driver his full fare but rather have paid him VND182,000 since you found that amount reasonable.

Furthermore, did you report the drivers badge number to his company?

If not, all you really did was to steal from him. Even a*seholes are entitled to some compensation, after all he did return you to your destination.

P.S. Most drivers in TP HCM carry lumps of solid bar about 20 centimetres around with them, and a few Post Office drivers, too, and no matter how heavy you are, these bars hurt.

He also had the vehicle with which he could hurt you.

Jaitch wrote:

l3ully wrote:

... way to district 1, 182000 VND (early afternoon), we tipped, ok fine. The way back (19:00), same company, we had 1 300 000 VND on the meter...

I am very strict with drivers and have reported them to management which has resulted in their termination. Undoubtedly more so than you.

However, I would not have stiffed the driver his full fare but rather have paid him VND182,000 since you found that amount reasonable.

Furthermore, did you report the drivers badge number to his company?

If not, all you really did was to steal from him. Even a*seholes are entitled to some compensation, after all he did return you to your destination.

P.S. Most drivers in TP HCM carry lumps of solid bar about 20 centimetres around with them, and a few Post Office drivers, too, and no matter how heavy you are, these bars hurt.

He also had the vehicle with which he could hurt you.

I would wish him, good luck.

He choose the max punishment. And yes, he was fully aware of the price difference, as we pointed that out to him, as the meter 200 000 VND jumped.

Still doesn't justify what you did.

He tried to rip you off, you caught him, therefore you suffered no loss. Then you compounded things by stealing from him.

P.S. Why do you copy whole posts so much? Wastes space and people can always refer to the earlier post.

A little calm here please!

Thanks,
Harmonie.

A next time he knows .

He tried his best, despite he did know, we to. Only one can be the winner.
Hopefully, he had to pay all his meter charges. Thought him a good lesson.

l3ully wrote:

He choose the max punishment. And yes, he was fully aware of the price difference, as we pointed that out to him, as the meter 200 000 VND jumped.

I'm ith the other guy on this one.

You are a guest in this country, if you wanted you could have called the Cong An. It's not your function to 'punish' here.

Poor working stiffs around here need the money. You were right not to pay more than your earlier fare, but you still owed him.

What you consider pocket money is likely real essential neccessities to him.

I don't condone thieving, either way. When I put petrol in the boats - about 100 liitres each time - I watch the meter like a hawk. And if I think the petrol has been watered down I'll even have it tested. With large quantities you can even get an idea by weihging the tank.

So next time yell and swear at the guy, call his boss or the police but when you don't pay it makes you no better than the poor slob of a taxi driver. IMHO.

WorzelGummidge wrote:

So next ........ it makes you no better than the poor slob of a taxi driver. IMHO.

Agreeing in that one, however, the guy chose twice,
1. - attempt to cheat us,
2. - he did not agree in a less/reasonable payment

I still consider the 182 000, we have "saved" not even a 5th of that, he attempted and demanded. Therefore, out of a sporty sight quite fair.
No, and I am not attempting so save (that is no saving), but I am strictly against rip-offs. Assuming his employer would have fired him or police arrest him or whatever, his loss would have been  most likely bigger.

That is my last comment to this matter as many (not only taxi drivers) take this like a sport. Reality is, not everybody can stay at the same time on winners step.