On the afternoon of 5/2, Lam Vien Ward Police, Da Lat City, issued an administrative violation record to Tran Thai Son, 36, residing in Lam Vien Ward. He was cited for damaging urban trees by snapping cherry blossom branches at the provincial public housing area in Lam Dong province.

Nguyen Hoang Phuc, Chairman of Lam Vien Ward People's Committee, stated that the incident occurred at the provincial public housing area, 1 Quang Trung Street. Upon receiving the report, local authorities instructed officials to investigate and address the matter according to regulations.

Tran Thai Son (in yellow shirt) snaps a cherry blossom branch in Da Lat. *Photo: Provided by residents*

During questioning by the police, Son admitted he was aware of his wrongdoing. He stated that on the same morning, while working at a coffee shop in Da Lat, a man named Huy, a driver for Dat Moi bus company, asked him to get a cherry blossom branch for Tet decoration.

Afterward, the two men went to the provincial public housing area. Son snapped a cherry blossom branch and gave it to Huy, who loaded it into a car before driving away towards Nha Trang.

Lam Vien Ward Police are continuing to gather evidence and are contacting Huy for questioning to clarify his involvement.

Hoai Thanh