In a recent incident that has sparked outrage among tourists, the Khanh Hoa Market Management Sub-Department has imposed a hefty fine on a floating raft owner in Nha Trang for exorbitantly pricing grouper at 3.5 million VND per kilogram. The raft, located on Tri Nguyen Island, faced scrutiny after complaints emerged regarding its pricing practices.
On May 7, 2025, Mr. Nguyen Thai Quoc, head of Market Management Team No. 1, announced the administrative fine against Mr. Pham Vu Linh, the owner of the raft. The raft was found to have violated several regulations, including changing its business line without notifying the district-level business registration authority, providing food services without a proper food safety certificate, and failing to display prices as required by law.
The total fine for these violations amounts to 20.75 million VND. This decision was made after an investigation following a viral Facebook post on May 2, where a user, identified as HN, shared their unpleasant experience while dining on the raft. The post detailed how they were charged an extravagant price for their meal, with the grouper alone costing 1.75 million VND for 0.5 kg.
According to the invoice shared by the user, the meal also included squid priced at 950,000 VND per kilogram, totaling 855,000 VND for 0.9 kg, along with other items, bringing the total bill to 2.785 million VND for two people. Many social media users expressed their outrage, labeling the pricing as "chặt chém," a Vietnamese term meaning to overcharge or rip off customers.
In response to the backlash, Mr. Linh contacted the affected customers and refunded 780,000 VND. Following this, the customer deleted their post, but the incident had already drawn significant attention to the raft's practices.
The Nha Trang City People's Committee has ordered Mr. Linh to cease all operations of the floating raft and to reach out to customers for refunds. The inspection team concluded that the raft did not meet the necessary conditions for serving food and had no valid permits for such operations.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing issue of overcharging tourists in popular destinations, which can tarnish the reputation of local tourism. Local authorities have emphasized their commitment to maintaining order and protecting the rights of visitors, urging all service providers to adhere strictly to regulations regarding price listings and food safety.
As the tourism industry continues to recover, ensuring fair pricing and quality service is essential in fostering a positive image of Nha Trang as a tourist destination. The local government has called on all businesses in the tourism sector to comply with regulations to avoid similar incidents in the future.
In conclusion, the recent actions taken against the floating raft owner reflect the local government's determination to uphold consumer rights and maintain the integrity of the tourism industry in Nha Trang, ensuring that visitors can enjoy their experiences without fear of being overcharged.
