(Warning : There are many pirate taxis outside and around Ben Thanh Market. They also park themselves at Nguyen Hue outside Saigon Tax Trade Center's entrance. Be sure you know the real from the pirates. Don't know why the authorities allow them to dominate that area.)
Always take either Mai Linh or Vinasun. They're 95% honest, always some bad hats around.
Here's the real Mai Linh.
Problem :
Mai Linh has 3 different taxi colours : white-green, green and silver-green.
Always look at the driver - if he wears a tie, he's probably the real thing.
Mai Linh drivers wear a green tie.
Here's the real Vinasun.
Mai Linh has 3 different taxi colours : white-green, green and silver-green.
Always look at the driver - if he wears a tie, he's probably the real thing.
Mai Linh drivers wear a green tie.
Here's the real Vinasun.
Problem :
The unlicensed taxis "disguise" themselves with Vinasun's tel number "272727".
The real Vinasun tel number is 38 272727, and the driver wears a maroon tie.
Some of the other genuine taxi companies:
The unlicensed taxis "disguise" themselves with Vinasun's tel number "272727".
The real Vinasun tel number is 38 272727, and the driver wears a maroon tie.
Some of the other genuine taxi companies:
All the drivers are supposed to wear ties too.
My opinion : Vinataxi (the yellow one) and Hoang Long (green & yellow) are next in line after Mai Linh and Vinasun.
All the rest I try to avoid, especially SaigonTourist, the airport taxi (can't remember the name) and very sadly, Savico-Comfort. Sad because Comfort is from Singapore and this joint-venture taxi company has ripped me off twice by bringing me a big round.
Here are the fakes :
The advertised tel numbers end with 272727 or 272777.
They come in variations, the most common being : 38 272777, 54 272727
So don't be fooled. The best way is to look for the driver's "tie".
Be forewarned - all their meters are rigged.
You'll end up paying 3-5 times the normal rates or more.
My opinion : Vinataxi (the yellow one) and Hoang Long (green & yellow) are next in line after Mai Linh and Vinasun.
All the rest I try to avoid, especially SaigonTourist, the airport taxi (can't remember the name) and very sadly, Savico-Comfort. Sad because Comfort is from Singapore and this joint-venture taxi company has ripped me off twice by bringing me a big round.
Here are the fakes :
The advertised tel numbers end with 272727 or 272777.
They come in variations, the most common being : 38 272777, 54 272727
So don't be fooled. The best way is to look for the driver's "tie".
Be forewarned - all their meters are rigged.
You'll end up paying 3-5 times the normal rates or more.
In some cases, 10 times!!!
Interesting tit-bits:
- In case you're wondering, there are decal shops that can provide the "disguise" for a fee. Not sure where they get the meters from though.
- I know Vinasun inspectors go round on motorbikes doing checks on taxi-drivers. They snap a photo if the driver is not wearing his tie. That's what happened to me one night - though I had my pix taken by a crazy fellow until the driver started cursing and putting on his tie.
References :
http://www.vietnamtravel.org/taxis-saigon-avoid-being-taken-ride
- good article. Note that Mai Linh has changed its number from 262626 to 383838.
Interesting tit-bits:
- In case you're wondering, there are decal shops that can provide the "disguise" for a fee. Not sure where they get the meters from though.
- I know Vinasun inspectors go round on motorbikes doing checks on taxi-drivers. They snap a photo if the driver is not wearing his tie. That's what happened to me one night - though I had my pix taken by a crazy fellow until the driver started cursing and putting on his tie.
References :
http://www.vietnamtravel.org/taxis-saigon-avoid-being-taken-ride
- good article. Note that Mai Linh has changed its number from 262626 to 383838.
2 comments:
I totally agree with you. These two taxis from Mai Linh and Vinasun are also the ones I usually take every time I go to visit Hoh Chih Minh. But I only get to know now from your post that there are some taxis who tried to duplicate these taxis and you had given us a "good tip" scouting for drivers wearing neck ties. Thanks...
krizza
Hope you had a good trip to HCMC. Your comment reminded me that these pirate taxis also operate out Saigon Tax Trade Center. Will update this in my entry.
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