Most of the risk in dental tourism is removed by a few habits: a written itemised quote, a named implant brand, a written warranty, and refusing to be rushed. Read this once, use the checklist, and you will spot most problems before you pay.
What's in this guide
- The honest context
- The 10 dental tourism scams (global industry)
- 10 red flags to watch for
- How to check a Hanoi clinic
- Pricing transparency: demand the itemised quote
- 20 questions to ask before booking
- The "sniff test": when pricing is too good to be true
- What a SmileJet listing means
- The two Hanoi clinics SmileJet lists
- What to do if you've been scammed
- Frequently asked questions
The honest context
Vietnam licenses dental clinics, and each practising dentist needs a personal practising certificate (chứng chỉ hành nghề). That does not stop every bad actor, here or anywhere else, whether you are booking implants (trồng răng implant), crowns (bọc răng sứ) or veneers (dán sứ veneer). The tricks below are the same ones reported in many dental tourism destinations, so learning the pattern protects you wherever you go.
SmileJet lists two clinics in Hanoi, both branches of Picasso Dental Clinic (Nha khoa Picasso): the Old Quarter branch and the Westlake Square branch. Use the checks in this guide on them too.
The 10 dental tourism scams (global industry)
Counterfeit or swapped implants
A clinic names a well-known brand and places a cheaper or copied implant. If it fails later, there is no manufacturer warranty to fall back on.
Bait-and-switch pricing
A low price on chat becomes a much higher one on arrival because of "extra grafting", a "better abutment" or an "upgraded crown".
Unlicensed "dentists"
Someone who is not a registered dentist carries out treatment under another person's licence.
Hidden fees
Consultation, X-rays, scans and extras added after you thought the price was complete.
Unnecessary treatment
More crowns, veneers or root canals than your teeth need.
Hidden facilitator incentives
Some booking services steer patients to whichever clinic pays them most.
No written warranty
A spoken "guarantee" with nothing on paper, or terms you cannot read.
Fake reviews, stolen photos
Bursts of generic reviews and before-and-after photos taken from elsewhere.
"Package deals" that cut corners
A full-arch "package" that skips the 3D scan, uses a cheaper material without saying so, or leaves out the final bridge.
Consent forms you cannot read
A form in a language you do not read, handed over minutes before treatment.
10 red flags to watch for
| # | Red Flag | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A price far below published prices | Something is missing: the brand, the scan, the crown or the final bridge. Ask what is included. |
| 2 | Will not tell you who will treat you | Ask who will do your treatment and about their experience with it. |
| 3 | Will not give a written itemised quote | Chat-only quotes make bait-and-switch easy. |
| 4 | Will not show its operating licence | Ask to see it. A legitimate clinic will not mind. |
| 5 | A suspicious review pattern | Bursts of generic five-star reviews from new profiles. |
| 6 | No 3D scan before implant surgery | A CBCT scan shows bone, nerves and sinuses. Picasso says it takes one before every implant. |
| 7 | Warranty only spoken | Hard to rely on later. Ask for it in writing. |
| 8 | Will not name the implant brand | Counterfeit or substitution risk. |
| 9 | Pressure to decide or pay in full today | A tactic to stop you checking. Picasso says it takes no deposit to give a quote or hold an appointment. |
| 10 | Before-and-after photos that look borrowed | Reverse-image-search them. |
How to check a Hanoi clinic
Ask the clinic to show or send its licence. Check the name and address match the clinic you are dealing with.
Ask who will treat you and to see their chứng chỉ hành nghề.
Read the lowest and oldest reviews, not just the newest, and look at how the clinic answers complaints.
A clinic that publishes a price list makes quotes easier to check. Picasso publishes one list for every branch.
Quote, consent form and warranty in a language you read, before treatment.
Pricing transparency: demand the itemised quote
A good quote lists every item, with the brand and material named. As an example, here is how a single implant could be itemised using Picasso's published Hanoi prices (indicative; your quote depends on your case):
| Item | Brand / Material | Picasso price (VND) |
|---|---|---|
| Examination and consultation | 200,000 (about US$8) | |
| Panoramic X-ray | 300,000 | |
| CBCT 3D scan | 600,000 (about US$23) | |
| Implant, complete: fixture, abutment and final zirconia crown | Straumann | 40,000,000 (about US$1,550) |
| Extraction, if needed | Permanent tooth | 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 |
| Bone graft, if needed | Synthetic to Bio-Oss block | 4,000,000 to 15,000,000 |
| Sinus lift, if needed | Closed or open | 7,000,000 to 14,000,000 |
20 questions to ask before booking
The SmileJet 20-question pre-booking checklist
- What is the clinic's full legal name?
- Can I see the clinic's operating licence?
- Who will treat me, and can I see their practising certificate?
- How much experience do they have with this treatment?
- Which implant brand and model will you use?
- Will the implant serial or lot number go into my records, with a copy for me?
- Can you send a written itemised quote before I fly?
- Is the 3D scan included, or charged separately?
- What material will my crown or bridge be?
- Can you send your warranty terms in writing?
- What happens, and what do I pay, if an implant fails later?
- Can I read the consent form in English in advance?
- How many visits does the treatment need, and how far apart?
- What payment methods do you accept, and is a deposit needed?
- When is each payment due?
- How do you handle complaints?
- What follow-up visits are included?
- Can I have copies of my scans and records to take home?
- Can I reschedule, and how much notice do you need?
- If I want a second opinion first, is that a problem?
Ask these questions through SmileJet
Message SmileJet on WhatsApp or Messenger and we will put your questions to Picasso, at no charge to you.
WhatsApp MessengerThe "sniff test": when pricing is too good to be true
A published price list gives you a reference point. At Picasso in Hanoi a complete single implant costs 30,000,000 VND (about US$1,160) with Neodent, 40,000,000 VND (about US$1,550) with Nobel Biocare or Straumann, and 45,000,000 VND (about US$1,740) with Straumann BLX. All-on-4 is 150,000,000 to 220,000,000 VND per jaw, with the final bridge quoted separately.
If another quote is far lower, ask what is different:
- Is it the same implant brand and model?
- Is the crown included, and what is it made of?
- Are the scan, abutment and follow-ups included?
- For a full arch, is the final bridge included, and what material is it?
- Is the warranty in writing?
A lower price is not always a scam, but you should know exactly why it is lower.
What a SmileJet listing means
SmileJet is a dental clinic directory. Both Hanoi clinics on SmileJet are featured partners, a commercial listing relationship and not a clinical endorsement. A listing does not replace your own checks. What SmileJet does: pass your questions to the clinic on WhatsApp or Messenger in English, Russian or Vietnamese, help you book, and help you reach the clinic later. You pay the clinic directly and pay SmileJet nothing. SmileJet gives no warranty or guarantee of its own.
The two Hanoi clinics SmileJet lists
Picasso Dental Clinic, Old Quarter Branch
16 Phố Châu Long, Ba Đình ward, Hà Nội
Picasso Dental Clinic, Westlake Square Branch
LKC22 Hoàng Minh Thảo, Westlake Square, in what was Bắc Từ Liêm district
What to do if you've been scammed
Step 1: Document everything
- Save all messages and emails, and screenshot them.
- Photograph receipts, invoices, consent forms and warranty documents.
- Ask for a full copy of your patient file in writing.
- Keep your X-rays and scans; they show what was done.
Step 2: Talk to your card issuer
If you paid by card, ask your card issuer about a dispute. Time limits apply, so do it promptly.
Step 3: Raise a written complaint with the clinic
Set out what happened, what you want, and attach your documents.
Step 4: Get independent advice
A dentist who did not treat you can say what was done and what is needed. For legal options, speak to a lawyer.
Step 5: Contact your embassy if you are still in Vietnam
Your embassy's consular section can explain what help it can offer.
Step 6: Honest, factual public reviews
A factual review with dates helps future patients. Stick to what happened.
Frequently asked questions
Is dental tourism in Hanoi safe?
Scams exist in every dental tourism market, and the same checks protect you in Hanoi: a written itemised quote, a named implant brand, a written warranty and no pressure to decide on the spot. SmileJet lists two Hanoi clinics, both Picasso Dental Clinic branches.
How do I make sure I get the implant brand I paid for?
Ask for the brand and model in your written quote, and for the implant's serial or lot number in your records. Picasso says it hands over implant serial numbers.
How do I avoid bait-and-switch pricing?
Get a written, itemised quote before you fly, and ask for any change to be re-quoted in writing before work starts. Compare it with the clinic's published price list.
How can I check a Hanoi clinic is licensed?
Ask to see the clinic's operating licence and the treating dentist's practising certificate (chứng chỉ hành nghề). A legitimate clinic will not mind being asked.
What should I do if I think I've been scammed?
Keep every message, receipt and record, ask for your full patient file in writing, and contact your card issuer about a dispute if you paid by card. Get independent advice before agreeing to more work.
Related reading
Get a written quote before you fly
Message SmileJet on WhatsApp or Messenger. We pass your questions to Picasso at no charge to you.
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