A foreign man living in Hanoi has drawn widespread attention online after several women reportedly accused him of stopping their motorbikes, approaching them on the street and attempting to persuade them to go to a hotel.
Posts circulating on Vietnamese social media claim the man has repeatedly targeted women riding alone. According to the accounts, he allegedly cuts in front of their motorbikes or blocks their path before handing them a printed paper containing a Zalo QR code and an invitation to go to a hotel.
Some women reportedly refused or confronted him, prompting him to become verbally aggressive. One account also claimed that the man pulled out a stick when another passerby attempted to intervene. The allegations have sparked concern among local residents, particularly women who regularly travel through the area alone.
Images of the man stopping a woman on a motorbike have also circulated online.
Police say the man has previously received treatment abroad
On August 10, representatives of Dinh Cong Ward Police confirmed to Vietnamese news outlet Dan Viet that the man is a foreign national who has been living in the ward with his Vietnamese wife.
According to local authorities, the man has previously displayed unusual behavior. Authorities and the embassy of his home country had previously coordinated arrangements for him to return to his home country for treatment.
He returned to Vietnam after approximately one year of treatment but has reportedly continued to display concerning behavior since coming back.
Police said they are now working with the relevant embassy to determine an appropriate course of action.
Authorities say no assault has been recorded
The situation has also reportedly caused conflict within the man’s household, with local authorities saying he and his wife frequently argue.
However, police emphasized that they have not recorded any confirmed case of the man assaulting anyone or violating another person’s dignity.
For now, authorities say they are primarily focusing on warnings, education and coordination with relevant agencies while they assess how the situation should be handled.
The case has attracted significant attention online, but many of the specific allegations circulating on social media have not been independently verified by authorities. Residents are therefore being urged to exercise caution while avoiding speculation based solely on posts circulating online.
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