On 4/3, the General Department of Vietnam Customs (Ministry of Finance) announced that the Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch, in collaboration with the Anti-Smuggling Investigation Department and the Economic Police Department of Hanoi Police, uncovered a case of illegal gold transport by air. This discovery occurred on 3/3, when authorities identified four passengers arriving from Taiwan, China, who had concealed a total of 12,3 kg of suspected gold metal. The detection at the arrival terminal utilized professional measures, risk control, luggage scan image analysis, and passenger screening.

The seized gold evidence. Photo: General Department of Vietnam Customs

Upon inspection, in addition to personal belongings, customs officials discovered that one passenger had hidden 10 pieces of gold-colored metal, totaling 5 kg, in their bra and underwear crotch. Two other passengers concealed 14 pieces of gold-colored metal, totaling 4,6 kg, in their underwear crotch. The fourth passenger hid 7 pieces of gold-colored metal, totaling 2,7 kg, in their underwear crotch and worn on their hand. All these metal pieces are suspected to be gold bars.

The individuals involved and the seized evidence have been handed over to the Economic Police Department of Hanoi Police for further investigation. The metal pieces are currently undergoing appraisal to confirm their gold content and determine their value.

According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, authorities have recently intensified efforts to control gold smuggling and illegal cross-border transport. Units are collecting risk management information on key passengers and flights, while coordinating with airlines to review passenger lists from high-risk countries and increasing screening and personal checks.

On the same day, domestic gold bar prices decreased by about 4 million dong per tael, following a global downward trend. SJC gold bars are currently being bought by Saigon Jewelry Company (SJC) at 181,2 million dong per tael and sold at 184,2 million dong per tael.