On 5/7, the Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention of Khanh Hoa Province's Police Department issued a 5 million VND fine to 42-year-old Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen, a tourist from Tuyen Quang, for "providing and sharing fabricated information, false information, distorted information, slander, and information that offends the reputation of agencies, organizations, and the honor and dignity of individuals," according to Article 101 of Decree 15/2020.
 |
The area near 2/4 Square, Nha Trang ward. Photo: Bui Toan |
The area near 2/4 Square, Nha Trang ward. Photo: Bui Toan
On the evening of 24/6, the Facebook account "Nguyen Huyen" posted a video titled "Highland teacher scared in Nha Trang," recounting the experience of a female tourist driving from Ha Giang (now Tuyen Quang province) to Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa). When she parked illegally near 2/4 Square, traffic police escorted her to their office to process the violation.
In the video, Huyen claimed to have over 20 years of driving experience and no prior traffic violations. However, upon arriving in Nha Trang, she expressed feeling "scared, hesitant, and unsure about continuing her trip," adding that she parked illegally "because there was no guidance or warning."
The two videos garnered over 1.4 million views, over 10,500 likes, 4,600 comments, and over 760 shares.
On 4/7, the same account posted another video titled "Response to recent information," claiming Nha Trang lacked "no parking" signs.
During a meeting with authorities on 4/7, Huyen admitted to managing and using the personal Facebook account to livestream and respond to comments, alleging that the police were "trapping violators and tricking tourists."
She admitted to parking illegally on Tran Phu Street near 2/4 Square (Nha Trang ward) on 24/6 where "no stopping or parking" signs were present. She was not fined by the police.
The police explained that Khanh Hoa's traffic police were not "intentionally penalizing" but rather providing guidance and warnings, recognizing that the violator was a first-time tourist in Nha Trang who had overlooked the signs.
Huyen cooperated and voluntarily removed the videos from Facebook and TikTok.
Bui Toan
