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The upcoming Hung Kings Commemoration Day and April 30th - May 1st holidays mark the beginning of the peak summer tourist season in 2026. Amidst a surge in demand for travel, tours, and hotel bookings, cybercriminals are also launching increasingly sophisticated online scams. The Vietnam National Tourism Administration has issued an urgent message urging tourists to be especially vigilant against attractive but risky offers on social media and digital platforms.
In reality, the internet environment is becoming fertile ground for commercial fraud in the travel industry. One of the most common tactics today is the creation of fake Fanpages with interfaces that are identical to those of high-end resorts, hotels, or reputable travel companies.
Notably, these scammers are so sophisticated that they even attempt to obtain or counterfeit verified badges to build absolute trust with customers. When tourists contact them through these websites, the fraudsters will trick them into transferring deposits or paying 100% of the contract value through personal accounts, then completely cut off all contact.
Experts warn that this is also a time when sophisticated online scams increase, requiring tourists to be extra vigilant before making any transactions.
Besides brand impersonation, cybercriminals also use phishing attacks through malicious links. Many cases have been reported where travelers receive fake messages or emails impersonating support staff from airlines, bus companies, or train companies, requesting them to log into their bank accounts to "verify information" or "receive last-minute deals."
According to a report from the UK-based internet service company Netcraft, a global phishing campaign is directly targeting travelers planning their trips. These scammers send a series of emails with professional layouts, logos, and writing styles, impersonating popular booking platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, and Agoda. Their ultimate goal is to steal credit card data and personal information by creating psychological pressure, forcing victims to "confirm within 24 hours" or face cancellation.
The proliferation of "cheap travel packages" or "super-discounted tours" on social media groups also poses many risks of losing all your money. The Vietnam National Tourism Administration emphasizes that verifying the transparency of information before each online transaction is a key factor in ensuring a safe vacation.
Experts advise people to only book services through official websites of businesses with complete legal information, tax identification numbers, and clear addresses. A golden rule that cannot be ignored is to absolutely not transfer money to personal bank accounts without verifying their identity through multiple communication channels. Being cautious about products with unusually low prices compared to the general market is the first step in helping tourists avoid sweet "traps."
Furthermore, sharing detailed travel itineraries or publicly disclosing personal information on social media inadvertently creates opportunities for malicious actors to exploit and profit from it. In the context of a strong recovery and sustainable development of the tourism industry, early identification of scams is not only a responsibility to protect tourists' personal assets but also contributes to building a civilized and transparent tourism environment. Proactive action from citizens in filtering information and rejecting transactions lacking legal basis will be the strongest barrier against the attacks of high-tech crime.
Tourists need to be especially wary of the scams offering cheap tours and hotel rooms that are booming online as the April 30th - May 1st holiday and the summer travel season approach.
To prepare for the upcoming holiday, travelers need to equip themselves with the ability to verify information from multiple sources. Instead of blindly trusting advertisements on social media, prioritize contacting businesses directly via official hotlines listed on their websites or using verified travel apps. If you notice any suspicious signs such as requests for bank OTP codes, urgent transfers, or websites with unfamiliar domain names, immediately stop the transaction and report it to the authorities or local tourism associations for prompt action. A fulfilling holiday begins with wise choices, and vigilance is never superfluous given the complexities of cybercrime today.
Currently, the demand for tours and hotel rooms for the April 30th holiday shows no signs of slowing down. This is the "golden" period for scammers to launch their final tricks, exploiting customers' fear of running out of rooms. Therefore, maintaining vigilance and adhering to safety guidelines from the Vietnam National Tourism Administration is essential.
