Simple, low-cost feng shui remedies — and how to avoid overpriced-item sales tactics

Feng shui is a traditional belief with no scientific verification; the methods below mainly improve the comfort and safety of the home. The cases mentioned here are information from the press. Sources at the end of the article · Updated 23 October 2026.

A house said to have a "bad point" by feng shui does not mean you have to spend money to fix it. This article suggests simple methods, and also helps you recognise when "feng shui" advice is actually a sales tactic or a scam.

1. Simple, low-cost methods

Commonly cited issue	Simple remedy	Practical benefit
A home short of light, said to have "heavy yin energy"	Open the windows, clean the glass, use bright enough lamps, place a large mirror sensibly where it reflects natural light	A bright, airy home with less damp and mould
A spire or sharp corner of the building opposite	Hang curtains on the windows and glass doors facing it (VietNamNet 2016 mentions only this)	Less glare, more privacy
Front door directly facing another home's door	Hang a curtain or low screen, lay a doormat, add a door light	Privacy, appearance
A cluttered room blocking the way	Tidy up, clear out old items	Safety, easy escape
A front door that is too low or dark	Add lights, paint a light colour, fix the threshold	Easy to see, safe
A living room or bedroom with a missing corner	Use furniture, lights and pictures to balance the space	A balanced layout
A shortage of greenery	A few easy-care pots, plants without thorns or toxins	Fresh and pleasant

An article in Dau tu Bat dong san (11 May 2018) also advises that the yard and open space in front of the house should be open so that light and air circulate, whether a yard, garden or pond; use plants on the suitable side and use water elements flexibly. The article also notes that excessive worry about feng shui can leave you unable to decide calmly, and that you should check other causes before blaming the house.

2. Plants and colours: choose by taste and health

• Choose plants that suit the light, are easy to care for, have no sharp thorns, and are not toxic to small children and pets.
• Choose interior colours by the family's taste and the function of each room; see feng shui plants and interior colours by element for reference.
• Arrange rooms according to daily habits: living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom.

3. Some points that should not be "remedied" with feng shui

Some problems need a technical solution, not an object:

• Leaks, cracked walls, damp and mould: you need a builder.
• Electricity, gas, fire and explosion: you need a qualified tradesperson and safety equipment.
• Legal status, disputes, planning: you need a lawyer or the competent authority; see checking a project's legal status.
• Noise and security: you need practical solutions (soundproof glass, locks, cameras).

4. Beware of tactics selling high-priced items

Prices far above value. Vietnam Law Newspaper (8 August 2018) recorded online sellers attaching a "feng shui" label to ordinary products; some bracelets and pendants were priced at about 1.5 to 2 times equivalent stone or plated products, and sellers said many people take goods from the same few sources.

Cases reported in the press:

• Thua Thien - Hue (SGGP, 11 November 2022): a person who called himself a "feng shui master" sold green stones and feng shui stones, then invented spiritual stories and demanded money for offerings, building a tomb and exorcism; the victim lost over 2.4 billion VND. The investigating agency recorded that the items were in fact of low value. The suspect was prosecuted and detained.
• Hanoi (VnExpress, 14 June 2023): a person claiming to be a feng shui master said "prosperous energy was blocked" and persuaded the victim to buy land to "unlock" it; the Hanoi People's Court sentenced him to 10 years in prison for fraudulent appropriation of property.
• Hanoi (Tuoi Tre, 23 April 2026): according to the indictment, a person impersonated a famous feng shui master, communicating only by Zalo and demanding money for offerings, lifting bad luck and items; three victims transferred over 5 billion VND in 6 years. The case has gone to court, and the information may change with the trial result.

5. Signs to stop

1. Tying money to "energy", "prosperous qi", "a curse placed" and then asking for money transfers to resolve it.
2. Contact only by messaging, impersonating a famous person, never meeting in person, using the excuse that "the master is busy and only sees people with titles".
3. Amounts that keep growing: from a few million for a stone to hundreds of millions for "offerings", "buying land", "charity".
4. Demanding secrecy: telling you not to tell family, or borrowing your bank card, password or OTP code.
5. Promising certainty: more wealth, winning deals, curing illness, having a child, rising home prices.
6. No invoice or origin for the items.

If you meet these: stop transferring money, keep the messages, tell your family, consult the police or a reputable religious organisation (if it concerns spiritual matters), and contact the local police if you have already transferred money.

6. When asking someone to read your feng shui: what to ask

• How do they charge, before doing the work? Is the price in writing?
• Do they ask for money after the reading?
• Do you need to buy their own items? If so, compare prices elsewhere.
• Do they let you carry out simple, cheap remedies yourself?
• Do they promise a sure result? If so, that is a sign to be careful.

Note: This article speaks only of information in the press, draws no conclusion about any individual beyond what the reports say, and makes no general judgement about genuine feng shui practitioners. Spiritual decisions are yours, but the family's money and safety should be weighed with reason.

• Saigon Giai Phong — Khởi tố "thầy phong thủy" lừa đảo 2,4 tỷ đồng của một phụ nữ, 11 November 2022.
• VnExpress — Thầy phong thủy dỏm lừa tiền "mở vượng khí", 14 June 2023.
• Tuoi Tre — Đóng giả thầy phong thủy Vượng "gù" lừa ba phụ nữ 5 tỉ làm lễ giải hạn, cầu tự, 23 April 2026.
• Vietnam Law Newspaper — Gắn mác "phong thủy" để lừa mị, "móc túi" khách hàng, 8 August 2018.
• Dau tu Bat dong san (Dau Tu Newspaper) — Hiểu đúng về phong thủy nhà ở, 11 May 2018.
• VietNamNet — Gợi ý để tránh mua phải những căn nhà xấu về mặt phong thủy, 1 July 2016.