On 6/6, leaders of the People's Committee of Soc Trang ward, Can Tho city, announced they have requested police to investigate a group that organized a birthday party mimicking a "funeral", following videos widely shared on social media. The incident, captured in numerous short videos, depicted an evening birthday party with many attendees. The event took place in a tent set up on Le Duan street in Soc Trang ward.

A group of people carrying a coffin on a street in Soc Trang ward. Photo: Screenshot from a local resident's video.

The birthday party included a coffin, drums, a brass band, a condolence table, memorial photos, and attendees in mourning attire. As the cake was cut, the brass band played funeral music, and votive paper was burned.

A man sitting in a coffin at the birthday party. Photo: Screenshot from a local resident's video.

Videos shared online showed three individuals (two men, one woman) taking turns lying in the coffin for amusement. Many participants then carried the coffin into the street, dancing to blaring music.

Authorities initially identified the host of the birthday party, held on the evening of 5/6, as a local coffin shop owner.

An Binh