On 24/8, Hai and his 38-year-old wife, Bui Thi Kim Tuyen, were indicted by the Investigation Police Agency of Lao Cai Provincial Police. They face charges of violating regulations on accounting work, leading to serious consequences, and deceiving customers.
Previously, from the afternoon to evening of 21/8, police officers and prosecutors were present at the couple's private residence in Lao Cai ward. Unauthorized individuals were denied entry while officials conducted their work inside.
 |
Hai Sapa TV and his wife. *Photo: FBNV*
Hai Sapa TV, 40, is a native of Lao Cai province who previously worked as a tour driver in his hometown of Sa Pa. In 2011, Hai began filming videos about highland cuisine and daily life, uploading them to YouTube on his Sapa TV channel, which now boasts over 1,9 million subscribers.
Hai also has millions of followers across other social media platforms, with TikTok being the largest at 5,2 million. He is also known as part of a close trio with Huan Hoa Hong and Phu Le.
Hai consistently blended content creation with business, focusing on selling Northwestern specialties such as smoked buffalo meat, cham cheo (a traditional dipping sauce), and honey through livestream sessions, generating substantial revenue. The YouTuber is believed to own considerable assets, valued at hundreds of billions of VND, including a prominent two-frontage shophouse in the old Lao Cai city.
In early 2025, Hai Sapa established a company headquartered in Lao Cai ward. According to the national business registration portal, Vu Hoang Hai is the legal representative and director of Sapa TV company. The company has a charter capital of 50 billion VND, with Hai contributing 30 billion VND, representing 60% of the capital.
Sapa TV's registered primary business activities include: short-term accommodation services, travel agency operations, wholesale of raw agricultural and forestry products, live animals, food wholesale, and advertising.
Beyond Hai and his wife, other TikTokers and "online gangsters" have recently faced arrests for various offenses, including Huan Hoa Hong and his wife, Phu Le, Co Giao Huong, Pham Tuan, Vua Quat, Khanh Sky, Ho Van Khoa, and Te Dien.
