Is your next vacation a scam waiting to happen? One Aussie’s warning to travellers
- Replies 4
Travelling to new destinations is usually an exciting experience, but sometimes it comes with unexpected challenges that can leave a lasting impact.
A seasoned traveller has recently shared his unsettling encounter in Vietnam, raising serious concerns about the increasing risks facing tourists.
What seemed like a routine trip quickly turned into a tense situation, highlighting broader issues that could affect other travellers in the region.
A Gold Coast man, Gordon, has warned fellow Australians to carefully consider their travel plans to Vietnam after a disturbing encounter that shed light on the increasing ‘corruption and dishonesty’ targeting tourists in the region.
Gordon, a former military pilot who had lived in the coastal city of Quy Nhon, recounted a shocking experience in 2023 after leaving a one-star Google review for a tourist park, Ky Co Beach Resort.
After posting the review, Gordon found himself confronted by police officers at his apartment within hours, who arrived uninvited, demanded to see his ID, and attempted to intimidate him for his online feedback.
‘It was fairly evenly divided between people who were agreeing and people who were associated with, or employees of, the people who are running the show,’ Gordon shared, adding that the reviews were a mix of fake and legitimate opinions.
According to Gordon, the Ky Co Beach Resort, advertised as a picturesque destination with swimming, boating, and sightseeing activities, turned out to be a rundown, unsafe, and overpriced experience.
He described the resort as having worn-out restaurants, a ‘dangerous’ makeshift jetty, and a ‘cruel’ marine park, which he said was filled with distressed animals in poor conditions.
‘Just imagine the worst possible conditions for animals to be kept, that’s what you’re looking at,’ Gordon recalled.
Gordon’s experience is part of a wider pattern he believes is becoming common across tourist spots in the region, where shady operators take advantage of foreign visitors.
He pointed out that the resort's jetty was held together with zip-ties, and he claimed that visitors were charged different fees based on their nationality, calling it a form of ‘discrimination’ and a scheme to gouge tourists.
As Gordon shared his story online, he received hundreds of responses, many claiming the resort was not only unsafe but a fraudulent business trying to cover up its negative reviews.
The police arrived at his door later that evening, where three provincial officers questioned him.
‘I was shocked,’ Gordon said, adding that they controlled the beach, which he claimed was a cash cow for local authorities who profited from charging tourists for access.
The situation escalated when, the following morning, Gordon discovered his social media accounts had been hacked and destroyed, an act he saw as clear intimidation.
Despite his frustration, Gordon said he remained respectful toward the officers, noting his extensive experience in Asia as a former military pilot.
Though the officers left after an hour of questioning, Gordon said the experience left him feeling threatened and disillusioned with the area.
‘I grew up in Asia as a kid. I’ve spent a lot of time in Asia, when I was in the military and afterwards,’ he explained.
‘You don’t mess with the cops, because they will arrest you on almost no charge.’
Gordon stressed that incidents like his are becoming more common in popular tourist destinations, with tourists, especially those from Western countries, being targeted for speaking out about substandard experiences.
While many parts of Vietnam are still worth visiting, Gordon urged Australians to be wary of online reviews when booking trips.
He specifically warned against trusting reviews on platforms like social media, as many are fabricated or manipulated to deceive potential visitors.
He speculated that these tactics were becoming more frequent as the tourism industry grew in Southeast Asia, with corrupt practices often going unreported due to fear of retaliation.
Google has pledged to crack down on fake reviews after a global investigation uncovered how deceptive practices were being used to mislead tourists.
The tech giant said it blocks millions of fake reviews each year, with many never even being published, and continues to work with regulators around the world to tackle the issue.
However, Gordon’s advice is clear: when considering travel to regions like Vietnam, Australians should exercise caution and be sceptical of overly glowing online reviews that may not tell the full story.
In a previous story, we discussed how another group of Australian tourists faced threats after leaving a negative review of their hotel in Thailand.
Their experience highlights the growing concern over how tourist feedback is being handled in the region.
You can read more about their ordeal here.
With the rise of dishonest practices in tourist destinations, how do you think travellers can better protect themselves when booking trips? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
A seasoned traveller has recently shared his unsettling encounter in Vietnam, raising serious concerns about the increasing risks facing tourists.
What seemed like a routine trip quickly turned into a tense situation, highlighting broader issues that could affect other travellers in the region.
A Gold Coast man, Gordon, has warned fellow Australians to carefully consider their travel plans to Vietnam after a disturbing encounter that shed light on the increasing ‘corruption and dishonesty’ targeting tourists in the region.
Gordon, a former military pilot who had lived in the coastal city of Quy Nhon, recounted a shocking experience in 2023 after leaving a one-star Google review for a tourist park, Ky Co Beach Resort.
After posting the review, Gordon found himself confronted by police officers at his apartment within hours, who arrived uninvited, demanded to see his ID, and attempted to intimidate him for his online feedback.
‘It was fairly evenly divided between people who were agreeing and people who were associated with, or employees of, the people who are running the show,’ Gordon shared, adding that the reviews were a mix of fake and legitimate opinions.
According to Gordon, the Ky Co Beach Resort, advertised as a picturesque destination with swimming, boating, and sightseeing activities, turned out to be a rundown, unsafe, and overpriced experience.
He described the resort as having worn-out restaurants, a ‘dangerous’ makeshift jetty, and a ‘cruel’ marine park, which he said was filled with distressed animals in poor conditions.
‘Just imagine the worst possible conditions for animals to be kept, that’s what you’re looking at,’ Gordon recalled.
Gordon’s experience is part of a wider pattern he believes is becoming common across tourist spots in the region, where shady operators take advantage of foreign visitors.
He pointed out that the resort's jetty was held together with zip-ties, and he claimed that visitors were charged different fees based on their nationality, calling it a form of ‘discrimination’ and a scheme to gouge tourists.
As Gordon shared his story online, he received hundreds of responses, many claiming the resort was not only unsafe but a fraudulent business trying to cover up its negative reviews.
The police arrived at his door later that evening, where three provincial officers questioned him.
‘I was shocked,’ Gordon said, adding that they controlled the beach, which he claimed was a cash cow for local authorities who profited from charging tourists for access.
The situation escalated when, the following morning, Gordon discovered his social media accounts had been hacked and destroyed, an act he saw as clear intimidation.
Despite his frustration, Gordon said he remained respectful toward the officers, noting his extensive experience in Asia as a former military pilot.
Though the officers left after an hour of questioning, Gordon said the experience left him feeling threatened and disillusioned with the area.
‘I grew up in Asia as a kid. I’ve spent a lot of time in Asia, when I was in the military and afterwards,’ he explained.
‘You don’t mess with the cops, because they will arrest you on almost no charge.’
Gordon stressed that incidents like his are becoming more common in popular tourist destinations, with tourists, especially those from Western countries, being targeted for speaking out about substandard experiences.
While many parts of Vietnam are still worth visiting, Gordon urged Australians to be wary of online reviews when booking trips.
He specifically warned against trusting reviews on platforms like social media, as many are fabricated or manipulated to deceive potential visitors.
He speculated that these tactics were becoming more frequent as the tourism industry grew in Southeast Asia, with corrupt practices often going unreported due to fear of retaliation.
Google has pledged to crack down on fake reviews after a global investigation uncovered how deceptive practices were being used to mislead tourists.
The tech giant said it blocks millions of fake reviews each year, with many never even being published, and continues to work with regulators around the world to tackle the issue.
However, Gordon’s advice is clear: when considering travel to regions like Vietnam, Australians should exercise caution and be sceptical of overly glowing online reviews that may not tell the full story.
In a previous story, we discussed how another group of Australian tourists faced threats after leaving a negative review of their hotel in Thailand.
Their experience highlights the growing concern over how tourist feedback is being handled in the region.
You can read more about their ordeal here.
With the rise of dishonest practices in tourist destinations, how do you think travellers can better protect themselves when booking trips? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
.png){kind=icon}
