Hạ Long City investigates reported accomodation fraud

A corner of Hạ Long Bay in the north-eastern province of Quảng Ninh.—VNA/VNS Illustrative Photo

QUẢNG NINH — The People’s Committee of Hạ Long City, Quảng Ninh Province has ordered authorities to focus on investigating, clarifying and rigorously handling individuals, engaged in fraudulent activities of rental accommodation.

The move came after local media reported that on Thursday, a Vietnamese-American woman, recounting her travel experiences, said she has been scammed when booking accommodation in Hạ Long City. She used two booking websites but then she could not find out the addresses of the accommodation.

Consequently, the city decided to make random inspections on temporary residence declarations at villas, apartments and condominiums within its jurisdiction.

That was the city’s decisive action aiming at rectifying the tourism business environment, safeguarding the tourism image of the city in particular and the province in general.

The city’s Police Department has coordinated with relevant units to verify and handle the case, reporting outcomes to the People’s Committee before next Monday (July 15).

The committee has tasked the Culture and Information Office to widely disseminate and publish information on recognised lodging facilities by State management authorities to inform residents and tourists for their choices of services.

Furthermore, the People’s Committees of wards and communes in the city were told to continue reviewing and updating comprehensive lists of operating lodging facilities, providing services to residents and tourists within the areas.

Previously, on Thursday, the local media reported that a Vietnamese-American woman recounted her trip to Hạ Long City and was defrauded in booking accommodation twice.

She and her family first booked a four-room apartment in the city through the Booking website, costing US$260. However, when they arrived in Hạ Long City from Hà Nội, they failed to find the address. They called the rental unit and received an announcement that the room was occupied.

The unit suggested she change to another apartment with only two bedrooms, but she did not agree. Then, the unit asked her to cancel her bookings herself on the Booking website, but this would have led the woman to forfeit her deposit.

Next, the woman continued book another apartment on another booking website, priced at $176 and the same situation occurred again.— VNS