My second time to Vietnam, first time was business trip to Ha Noi, when I was well taken care by the company team. This time, I went there with a friend whom was going there for meeting. Bad impression and terrible experience, far below expectations after all positive comments from TV travel programs 

Upon arrival in the evening, went straight to the taxi stand and was directed by someone wearing uniform to a taxi. The driver refused to use meter, it's fine, it always happens in developing country, but they charged USD 35, which I found out later the max fee by meter should be maximum $7. Being cheated upon arrival felt bad, but it didn't affect much my mood. The most terrible thing happened on the next day...

Took taxi from Hotel to Ho Chi Mnh Museum, $25,000; I didn't recognize well of their notes, and took out both 100,000 and 50,000 for the driver to pick (I always offer trust as it always works when I travel to Japan, Bangkok); he took away 250,000 and I asked, hey, you should take the 50,000 and give me change..he didn't say anything and pushed me off the taxi in the middle of the road.

After the museum, didn't dare to take taxi but as a road-blind, after 20 min walk and felt a bit lost, approached by motor bike, asked for 80,000 crazy price for 3 min drive, price down to $35K, gave him $40, he refused by saying one of the note's color faded (it's given as change by the museum ticket office). No more smaller notes, gave him $100, he said he has no change and gave me one halfy broken note!!! When we were struggling, a security gaurd came over, thought he's gotta help...he took my purse and empty it! Shaed with the driver and walked away.. No other tourist around, only their local people...so helpless...Luckily I didn't bring out all cash.

On my way walked back to hotel, stormy rain came and I ran for 15 min in heavy rain, and pouring muddy water from construction sites, felt sick that night with fever

How can I have positive impression of this place?