If you are in Hanoi and planning to catch the train for your onward journey, you should be aware of the Hanoi Train Station luggage locker scam. This isn’t widely known, but anyone that has tried to use the lockers at the station has probably come across it.
Now, this won’t be a long article, but I really hate scams when I’m traveling, so wanted to point this out to my readers and anyone looking for information on the luggage lockers at Hanoi Train Station.
This article may contain affiliate links. If you click on those links and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you I will get a small commission. This will go a long way toward keeping this website running. As always, thank you for your support! Click HERE for more information.
How does the scam work?
The Hanoi Train Station luggage locker scam starts as soon as you walk in the door. Especially if you are carrying luggage/backpacks, and are obviously looking around.
A member of staff will approach you and ask if they can help. Seeing their uniform, you will probably indicate that you are searching for the luggage storage.
They will reply with a big smile, and say something along the lines of “Yes, you can store your luggage in here!”
They will then direct you to the VIP Room. This is NOT the luggage storage room, and any lockers in here are not the lockers you are looking for. They are illegally being used by staff to scam money from tourists, and have no security surveillance. You do not want to be using these lockers.
When I was recently in Hanoi, catching the train to Danang, a member of staff tried to convince me to use these lockers. Fortunately, I knew about the Hanoi Train Station luggage locker scam, so I politely said no, and walked away. She followed us for a long time, and on at least three occasions stopped us and tried to lead us away to the VIP Room again.
The staff will be very convincing, and you WILL be paying inflated prices for lockers that are NOT secure if you fall for it.
To avoid this scam is easy. Do not allow station staff that will lead you to the VIP Room. It’s as simple as that. Being aware of the scam is the main thing.
ARE YOU traveling by train in Vietnam? The best way to book your tickets is through 12go Asia. They have a fast and reliable booking and payment system, and easily display all the available options for your trip. I use them all the time! Check them out at THIS LINK.
CAN you store luggage at Hanoi Train Station?
Yes you can. The luggage lockers at Hanoi train station are very good, fairly modern and totally secure, with good security camera coverage. They cost 50,000 VND for 4 hours, and are available for use 24 hours a day.
Where are the REAL luggage lockers?
The actual luggage storage lockers at Hanoi Train Station are easy to find. They’re large blue lockers, and there are a couple of decent sized banks of them in the main station entrance area. There are also signs that clearly point to the location of the lockers. Coincidentally AWAY from the VIP Room!
We used the second bank of lockers that are on the left side as you enter through the main station doors. These were really good lockers right next to a security post. In fact, the security guard assisted us to pay for the lockers and get our code to unlock them. Then he pointed out the security cameras that are pointing right at the lockers!
This is the type of security I was looking for when I was deciding whether to leave my luggage at the station or not. Especially after I found out about the Hanoi Train Station luggage locker scam.
About Hanoi Train Station luggage lockers
The lockers are a really good size. We easily fit a 60 liter bag and a 40 liter backpack in there with plenty of room to spare. I’m sure you could fit a decent suitcase and a couple of small bags in one.
The price for Hanoi Train Station Luggage Lockers starts at 50,000 VND for 4 hours. This was plenty for us, as we could have paid for 8 hours but really didn’t need it.
To use the lockers, just follow the instructions in English next to the keypad. It’s as simple as pressing the red button, putting your 50,000 VND into the slot and retrieving the barcode. You then put your belongings into the locker and close it.
When you return, just scan the barcode, and hopefully the locker door will pop open so you can retrieve your belongings. If it doesn’t this is probably because you owe more money, in which case you will have to pay the extra before it will give you access to your locker!
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER – you can only use the barcode once! If you return because you forgot something and open the locker, you will have to pay again.
Summary
Don’t fall for the Hanoi Train Station Luggage Locker Scam! The luggage lockers are easy to find and really easy to use. They are secure, and not expensive. Just follow the instructions in this article and take a look at the photos I’ve supplied, and enjoy your trip!
Leave a reply