Police in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City have arrested the manager of a restaurant for deliberately overcharging an Australian tourist $US30,360 ($A39,544) for a dinner.

According to local media, Tran Tuan Minh, 22, is being investigated for “using computer networks, telecommunications networks, Internet or digital devices to appropriate property” and is facing charges.

VN Express news site reports the arrest stems from a dinner John David Caracciolo had with his friends at the Nightfall restaurant in August last year.

The 45-year-old tourist was told there had been a technical glitch when he went to pay his bill and ended using another credit card.

The meal, investigators said, should have cost around $US880 dollars ($A1,146).

They added that Minh instructed a staff member swipe the cards multiple times and allegedly withdrew the money from a bank later.

Although the tourist dropped his initial legal complaint after his money was reimburst in December, police decided to pursued the case.

VN Express cited police saying Minh’s “act was serious and has adversely affected the country’s image.”

The restaurant closed down last year, a few months after the incident took place.