Vietnam has long been a favourite for Australian travellers. Picture: Suzanne Walker

The 24-year-old PhD candidate from Melbourne was studying abroad in Malaysia when she booked a trip to Vietnam with two friends.

She researched things to do, found accommodation, and organised an itinerary.

She even looked up average taxi fares so she knew how much to pay for the trip from the airport to the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

On their first day, they fell victim to a scam that became very scary, very fast.

“There were three of us, three girls, and we had a few bags. I didn’t think anything of it at the time, but [the driver] put the bags in front of the meter,” she said.

“Rookie error, I know now.

“We were going in the right direction, so we weren’t too worried, but then when we got to our stop he asked for a ton of money.

“He wanted about US$200.

“I said that was insane, and it should have been less than US$50.”

Mrs Walker, who studies engineering at Swinburne University of Technology, said as the argument progressed, the driver’s anger boiled over.

When he started threatening the group, it became clear they had to escape.

Suzanne Walker, right, refused to pay when a taxi driver tried to scam her. Picture: Suzanne WalkerSource:Supplied

The next few minutes were adrenaline-fuelled drama straight out of an action movie.

“A guy walking past yell as us to get out, so we grabbed our bags and I threw him some money — I wasn’t going to leave without paying — and we started walking towards the hotel.

“He was really angry, and the drove the taxi at us, up on the kerb. We started running, and we jumped out of the way.

“He swerved to try and hit us. We ran down the street into a one-way road where our hotel was, and we thought he couldn’t get us, but he decided to chase us. He just threw the taxi into reverse, and swerved toward us again.”

The man who had yelled at them to get out of the cab worked at a nearby hotel, and he offered to let the girls take refuge inside.

“We were so scared we agreed. We hid in the lobby, behind the concierge desk. After we walked in, I realised how dangerous it could have been.

“The taxi driver was driving backwards and forwards outside trying to find us. We hid in there for almost half an hour until the taxi gave up.”

According to the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website, woman face greater risks than men — even if they’re experienced travellers.

The official advice is to have accommodation organised, use only a reputable taxi, travel with a companion where possible, and draw attention to yourself by shouting or making a scene if you ever feel uncomfortable or in danger.

Mrs Walker is an experienced traveller, who did everything by the book. Picture: Suzanne WalkerSource:Supplied

Travel agent Rosie Richardson said flyers who have just arrived are “fresh meat”. Picture: Suzanne WalkerSource:Supplied

However, Mrs Walker did all these things by the book.

Fortunately, once the driver went away, the trio was able to walk to their hotel. They checked in safely, and enjoyed the remainder of their 16-day trip.

Vietnam has long been a favourite with Australian travellers, to the point where Air Asia today launched a sale offering flights for just $129, from a number of cities.

Rosie Richardson, director at Mosaic Travel, said the ride between the airport and the hotel is the place travellers are most likely to be scammed, however, stories like this shouldn’t stop women from travelling overseas and having a good time.

“You’re exhausted, bamboozled and overwhelmed. You’re a scammer’s delight, you’re fresh meat, and the best way to avoid that is to get your travel agent or hotel to arrange a transfer, which is often cheaper than a taxi and prepaid,” she told news.com.au.

“For taxis, what I always suggest — especially for women — is to ask for the fare costs upfront, or make sure the metre is running. Also, make sure you have small change so you can give the driver the exact money.”

However, she said travellers should take care not to be too closed off and suspicious, as some of the best experiences come from unexpected encounters.

“Last year in Turkey, I had an older taxi driver, and I ended up going to his house for dinner, and then he drove me home. If I’d been closed-minded, it wouldn’t have happened. It’s a fine line, and you have to make that judgment call.”

She said the key is to always trust your gut.