Nguyen Thi Hoang Ngan, 22, nicknamed Ngan “Baby”, is being held by Nghe An provincial police for investigation on charges of public disorder and property damage. The incident occurred on July 11.

Around 10 p.m., Ngan arrived at an ice cream shop on Le Hong Phong Street in Thanh Vinh ward. She bought a 10,000 VND ice cream and sat on a chair on the sidewalk in front of the shop.

Linh, a shop employee, said Ngan was alone, not on her phone or talking to anyone. It was late, and the shop was mostly empty, with only a few people paying their bills.

More than 10 minutes later, Linh heard a loud noise outside. Opening the door, she saw Ngan acting agitated next to her motorbike, then picking up rocks and throwing them around.

“I was scared and quickly closed the door. Some customers also tried to leave. Fortunately, no one was hit by the rocks,” Linh said.

Security camera footage shows Ngan throwing rocks at the ATM and smashing furniture on the evening of July 11. Video: Hung Le

According to Linh, after causing a scene at the ice cream shop, Ngan moved 20-30 meters to two parked cars and threw rocks at their windows, causing damage. The car owners were not present. Some bystanders tried to intervene, but Ngan ignored them and ran to a nearby ATM.

She opened the ATM booth, looked inside for a few seconds, then bent down, picked up a rock, and threw it at the screen. After the rock bounced off, she picked it up and threw it 3 or 4 more times before leaving and heading towards a clothing store about 10 meters away. While walking, she flailed her arms and mumbled to herself.

Hong, the clothing store owner, said her brother was setting up some plastic tables and chairs in front of the store to sell drinks. Seeing Ngan’s angry demeanor, disheveled hair, and rock-throwing, Hong quickly closed the store to avoid trouble.

Ngan then approached the front of the store, picked up two plastic tables, and threw them hard onto the sidewalk, damaging them.

The damaged ATM on Le Hong Phong Street after being hit by rocks thrown by Ngan. Photo: Hung Le

The damaged ATM on Le Hong Phong Street after being hit by rocks thrown by Ngan. Photo: Hung Le

Two minutes later, Ngan left the clothing store area, walked along the sidewalk, then turned onto Le Hong Phong Street, talking loudly to herself. Despite the late hour, there was still considerable traffic. Many drivers honked their horns when they saw her standing in the middle of the street, but she didn’t move.

Tam, who lives near the scene, said she was sitting on the sidewalk enjoying the cool evening air when she saw Ngan yelling and throwing rocks. “I didn’t understand what was happening, I thought she was fighting with someone, so I was scared and went inside to avoid trouble,” she said.

Ngan continued along the street, picking up and throwing rocks as she went.

Some people called the police. Officers apprehended Ngan in front of dozens of witnesses. The entire incident lasted about 15 minutes.

Hong said that when the police interviewed her for the investigation, they didn't ask Ngan for compensation because the value of the two broken tables was not significant.

“I know Ngan is quite famous online for her controversial videos. Her reckless actions that night really frightened everyone. She must be experiencing some kind of psychological issue,” Hong said.

Ngan "Baby" at the police station. Photo: Provided by the police

Ngan "Baby" at the police station. Photo: Provided by the police

At the police station, Ngan said that after eating her ice cream, she got up to leave but couldn't start her motorbike. Thinking someone had tampered with it, she became angry, started cursing, and threw rocks, damaging property.

Authorities have not yet released information on whether Ngan was under the influence of any substances at the time of the incident.

Ngan is a dancer who later became a TikToker, with tens of thousands of followers on social media thanks to her provocative dance videos. To maintain attention, she underwent cosmetic surgery, completely changing her appearance, and continuously courting controversy with stunts such as wearing a bikini in public, seeking a boyfriend to provide her with tens of millions of VND per month, and impersonating a "mermaid" in a bar.

Ngan previously caused controversy with a video of her writhing in a fish tank at a restaurant. Image: Screenshot from video

Ngan previously caused controversy with a video of her writhing in a fish tank at a restaurant. Image: Screenshot from video

On social media, Ngan “Baby” often flaunts a luxurious lifestyle, claiming an income of hundreds of millions of VND per month. However, many suspect she exaggerates to boost her fame. Recently, engagement on her TikTok channel has declined, and views have plummeted. She has been posting increasingly shocking videos to attract attention, but they are increasingly seen as distasteful, inappropriate, and having a negative influence on young people.

Duc Hung

*Some names have been changed.