Holiday hassles: Tourists concerned about hotel theft, rip-offs in Da Nang

Restaurants in Da Nang, which have received many rip-offs complaints from tourists recently. Photo: An Dy

Nguyen Duc Duong and his family came back from a swim last Thursday night and the hotel receptionist said someone had already taken their room key.

He rushed to the room only to find that it had been turned upside down, with his iPad, cell phone and VND26 million (US$1,200) gone.

Police in Da Nang are still investigating the case.

Duong’s family said what made them really angry and disappointed was the fact that the hotel denied any responsibility.

“The hotel pointed the finger right at us even though they should be blamed for poor security in the first place,” a family member said.

“We are very disappointed. We hope it’s just one single case.”

Unfortunately it’s not.

The tourist city, long known for its friendliness and safety, is facing the risk of losing the trust from tourists after several cases of hotel theft.

Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, a tourist from Hanoi, fell victim to a similar scheme while staying at a different hotel in June.

Thuy left her key at the receptionist to go to the beach.

Surveillance footage showed that soon after that, a well-dressed man came asking for her key, claiming that Thuy asked him to fetch something in the room for her. He was let in.

Two months ago, a similar case happened at another hotel. The guests said they lost VND100 million (US$4,600) left inside their hotel room.

Tran Duy Thai, a tourist from Hanoi, said the city should suspend hotels that cannot provide security for their guests.

“When we stay at a hotel, we need to be able to feel completely safe,” Thai said.

Overcharging

Meanwhile, restaurants in Da Nang have also received a lot of rip-off complaints from tourists this summer, including one about a restaurant that forced a VND4 million bill on a tourist, more than twice what he was supposed to pay.

The restaurant said it was a calculation mistake.

But at other restaurants, the owners did not back down that easy.

They allegedly cooperate with gangsters and protection racketeers to fight with other restaurants for customers, who once sit down would have to pay any prices, tourists said.

Tourists said they expect strong measures against the restaurants, but the city has only published a list of them for tourists to avoid.

“The authorities should be tough on this. Otherwise, Da Nang’s good image will be damaged,” said Phan Huy, an industry insider.

Holiday hassles: Tourists concerned about hotel theft, rip-offs in Da Nang

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