A tourist from Hanoi, Nguyen Duc Thang, chose Ha Giang for his New Year's holiday. On the evening of 1/1, upon arriving in Dong Van, he and his friends visited Oanh Hieu restaurant for chicken hotpot, a dish promoted as a local specialty. According to Thang, the hotpot served contained a small amount of chicken, disproportionate to its 1,2 million VND price.

"I was surprised when the dish arrived; the chicken plate had little meat. When I inquired, the staff responded evasively with an inappropriate attitude," Thang stated.

The hotpot priced at 1,2 million VND at Oanh Hieu restaurant, according to the tourist's complaint. Photo: Supplied

Thang noted that before ordering, the restaurant only listed prices by portion without accompanying images, and staff did not explain the serving sizes. His group selected the restaurant believing it to be a long-standing establishment in the Dong Van area.

While dining, Thang observed other tables, primarily occupied by tour guides and drivers accompanying tour groups. The hotpots served at these tables appeared fuller, with ample vegetables and beef. "We compared them and felt it was unreasonable," Thang added.

After the meal, Thang posted details of the incident on social media, where the article attracted significant attention within travel groups. Some comments suggested that 1,2 million VND was excessive for a chicken hotpot in Ha Giang, a dish that is widely available. "A hotpot like that should only cost about half the price," one person commented. Many others advised tourists to always confirm prices before ordering, especially during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations.

The invoice captured by the customer after payment on the evening of 1/1, after a 150,000 VND deduction. Photo: Supplied

Conversely, some comments argued that food prices might vary based on the type of chicken, its weight, the number of diners, and the time of service. However, the lack of clear price communication to customers remained a point of contention. Some opined that while prices might increase during peak seasons, an excessive hike could negatively impact the local tourism image.

The owner of Oanh Hieu restaurant confirmed serving the group on the evening of 1/1. Regarding the food quality complaint, the owner explained that a shortage of ingredients resulted in less chicken than expected, and staff failed to inform the customers. After receiving feedback, the restaurant refunded 150,000 VND to the group.

According to the owner, the price of a whole chicken is about 180,000 VND per kg, so a 1,2 million VND hotpot typically includes over 3 kg of chicken. The restaurant, which has been open for over 20 years, is a familiar stop for tour groups, serving over 400 visitors daily during holidays and Tet.

On Google Maps, Oanh Hieu restaurant has received numerous one-star reviews concerning service attitude, food quality, and pricing. Some foreign tourists also expressed dissatisfaction with their experience. "This was the worst meal in my 10 days in Vietnam," a German tourist wrote in a review.

On the afternoon of 2/1, Giang Mi Say, Vice Chairman of Dong Van commune, announced the formation of an inter-agency inspection team to verify the incident. Following the inspection, the team instructed the restaurant to adhere to its committed prices and display them publicly. They also urged the restaurant to contact the customer to resolve the issue and prevent negative publicity for local tourism. Subsequently, the restaurant owner and the tourist communicated and agreed to remove the social media post.

Phan Yen Ly, a tourism product design expert with over 30 years of industry experience, noted that Ha Giang has recently become a highlight of Vietnam's tourism due to its pristine landscapes and unique cultural experiences. However, it also faces overcrowding during peak season.

Ly suggested that the local tourism industry should develop and implement codes of conduct to foster a transparent environment that benefits both tourists and tourism professionals. Additionally, hotlines should be established for tourists to promptly report overcharging incidents and to provide necessary travel information.

In 2025, Tuyen Quang tourism experienced positive growth, estimated to welcome about 3,9 million visitors, exceeding its target of 3,5 million visitors, including 525,000 international visitors. Ha Giang became a top domestic destination and gained international recognition with several awards in 2025.