Beware of "virtual room booking" scams in Dong Van, Ha Giang

Ha Giang Buckwheat Flower Festival 2022 officially opens on November 26

According to information from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ha Giang, scammers often use social networks, impersonating tour guides, managers, and owners of tourist accommodation establishments (hotels, motels, homestays) to post on tourism forums with content selling rooms in Dong Van district or Ha Giang province.

When visitors contact, these subjects provide an account number asking for a deposit to hold the room, but in reality it is a "virtual room". When the guests arrive, the accommodation facility informs that it has not received the booking information, nor has it received the guests' deposit.

A representative of the Department of Culture and Information of Dong Van district (Ha Giang) said: "Bad guys took advantage of the 2022 Buckwheat Flower Festival when the number of visitors to Dong Van was very large, leading to many people having difficulty finding accommodation. Currently, accommodation facilities in Dong Van are almost fully booked on the opening day of the festival this weekend. Dong Van district has arranged forces to support guests, and at the same time mobilized people to open their doors to welcome guests if conditions allow."

In order to promptly prevent fraudsters, protect the rights and safety of tourists, and preserve the image of Ha Giang tourism brand, Ha Giang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism recommends that when booking a room, tourists should pay attention and confirm with the official phone number of the homestay or hotel, which is usually published on the fanpage or website of that accommodation facility. The list of tourist accommodation facilities in Ha Giang is available on this website.

Tourists who have suggestions or feedback about tourism services in Dong Van can contact the hotline of the Chief of Dong Van District Police (0886.659.888) or the Chairman of Dong Van District People's Committee (0912.504.199). Tourists who need support or guidance in finding accommodation during the 2022 Ha Giang Buckwheat Flower Festival can contact the phone numbers 0988.820.913 or 0985.212.103.

The Ha Giang Buckwheat Flower Festival 2022 officially opened on November 26 in Dong Van district. Dong Van is expected to welcome up to 5,000 guests, so it is difficult to avoid overcrowding. On this occasion, Ha Giang province also organized a series of events in many other localities, aiming to diversify the experience for tourists, while regulating and reducing the load on Dong Van.

This year, Ha Giang province has prepared nearly 400 hectares to grow buckwheat flowers, so that the flowers bloom from October 20 to the end of December; focusing on the flowers blooming right in the opening week of the festival. The place with the largest area of ​​buckwheat flowers is Dong Van district (about 250 hectares), in addition, the flowers are also grown in many places in Quan Ba ​​district, Meo Vac district, Yen Minh district.

According to VOV