Head of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Van Tuan on Apr 25 apologized in person to the Australian tourist who was overcharged by 20 times the usual fee for a 5-km xich lo (three-wheeled cyclo) ride.

Tuan, along with several Hanoi tourism officials, personally came to apologize to Ilona Schultz, who had been charged VND1.3 mil (US$61) by a local xich lo driver for a 5- km ride from Ong Ich Khiem to Hang Trong in Hanoi two days earlier.

Tuan told Schultz that the cyclo rickshaw driver, who operated illegally, has been summoned for questioning by local police.

He confirmed that this is an isolated case which mars the image of Vietnamese hospitality and tourism leaders will work on methods to protect tourists from such nuisances and overcharging.

Tuan handed the VND1.3 mil back to Schultz, who said that such rip-off can occur anywhere, not only in Vietnam and she highly appreciated the prompt response from local police and tourism leaders.

At midday on Apr 23, Schultz agreed to take a xich lo ride for VND70,000 (US$3.3). However, 39-year-old Nguyen Van Chieu, the driver, carried Schultz and her two young kids on a longer route before forcing her to pay VND1.3 mil and dropping them quite far from the agreed destination.

Schultz, who has visited Vietnam twice, said she would return to the country with her friends for a two-week tour in July.