Vietnam Insider

Thai authorities have dismissed reports claiming that a Belarusian model was abducted from Thailand and later murdered for her organs by a scam gang in Myanmar.

The shocking allegation first appeared on the Russian news outlet Mash, then was echoed by Western media outlets such as The Daily Mail and The Sun, quickly spreading across social networks last week.

According to those reports, Vera Kravtsova, 26, allegedly traveled from Belarus to Thailand in September for a modeling job interview in Bangkok. She was said to have been coerced into crossing into Myanmar, where she was enslaved at a cybercrime center and later killed when she failed to meet her “targets.” The group allegedly sold her organs on the black market and demanded USD 500,000 from her family to return her body.

However, Thai Immigration Bureau spokesperson Maj. Gen. Choengron Rimpadee said on October 21 that investigations found no evidence she was forced to leave Thailand or coerced into Myanmar.

Security footage from Suvarnabhumi Airport shows Kravtsova completing check-in and departure procedures on her own before boarding Thai Airways flight TG301 to Yangon on September 20. “There was no indication that she was under duress or accompanied by anyone,” Rimpadee said.

Thai police stated that what happened to Kravtsova after her arrival in Myanmar remains outside Thailand’s jurisdiction. Authorities have reinforced measures to prevent foreigners from being lured into scam operations, and in 2025 alone, around 34,000 individuals were denied entry into Thailand for security reasons.

The alleged murder remains unverified, and both Thai and Myanmar authorities have not confirmed any such case.

TikToker Đào Quang Hà, known for his viral journey cycling from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, has been criminally detained by Thanh Hoa police for allegedly misappropriating donations raised under the guise of charity.

According to the Thanh Hoa Provincial Police, Hà, 24, from Hung Yen Province, is being investigated for appropriating property through a fraudulent charity campaign. He is the creator of the TikTok channel “Hà và Việt Nam,” which has over 200,000 followers and nearly 10 million likes.

Earlier this year, Hà gained online fame for cycling more than 1,700 kilometers across Vietnam in just 16 days, using his grandfather’s old bicycle. His journey was widely followed, and each of his videos attracted millions of views. He later shifted to posting charity-related content.

However, police say that after a car crash involving a Dak Lak charity convoy in Thanh Hoa went viral, Hà — though not present at the scene — posted videos criticizing a local driver and called for public donations to “support” the victims.

Investigators allege he collected 43 million VND in donations, but spent 40 million VND for personal use instead of charity purposes.

Hà’s arrest follows an ongoing investigation into misuse of charity funds and online defamation related to the Thanh Hoa accident. Authorities warn the public to verify all online fundraising campaigns before donating.

A man in a mountainous area of Da Nang suffered serious injuries after being attacked by a wild bear while walking home in the evening.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Do Quang Vinh, head of the Ga Ry Border Guard Station, the victim was identified as Mr. Pơloong Nhương, 48, head of A Tu 1 village in Hung Son commune, Da Nang City.

At around 6:30 p.m. on October 21, local residents discovered Mr. Nhương lying unconscious on the roadside with multiple deep wounds consistent with claw and bite marks from a wild animal.

Border guards immediately dispatched a medical team to provide first aid and coordinated with local authorities to transfer the victim to a military medical post for emergency treatment.

Doctors reported that Mr. Nhương sustained severe injuries to his face and lower jaw, with significant blood loss. He has since regained consciousness and confirmed that he was attacked by a wild bear on his way home.

Authorities have visited the victim’s family to offer support and have urged residents to avoid traveling alone, especially in the late afternoon or evening, as they continue to track the bear’s movements in the area to ensure public safety.

For the first time, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra—one of Russia’s oldest and most prestigious symphony orchestras—will perform in Vietnam, presenting a world-class concert titled “White Night – The Royal Russian Symphony Concert” at the Hanoi Opera House on November 1 and 2, 2025.

The event is exclusively sponsored by Techcombank, marking a cultural milestone in celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Russian Federation.

Inspired by the natural phenomenon of “White Nights” in St. Petersburg—when the sky remains luminous even at midnight—the concert embodies the eternal beauty of heritage and the timeless harmony between art, culture, and emotion.

Every element of the performance—from lighting and stage design to sound and ambience—has been meticulously crafted to evoke the grandeur of Russian royal artistry, offering audiences a majestic, emotionally rich musical journey.

Founded in 1882, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra has long been recognized as one of the world’s leading ensembles, performing at legendary venues such as Musikverein (Vienna), Royal Festival Hall (London), Carnegie Hall (New York), and Tokyo Opera City.

Alongside international artists, the concert will also welcome distinguished guests from Russia, Eastern Europe, and Vietnam’s ministries and cultural institutions, reinforcing artistic and cultural exchange between Vietnam and nations with deep classical traditions.

The two-night exclusive experience is dedicated to Techcombank Private members—individuals who value beauty, culture, and refined living standards.

This event reaffirms Techcombank Private’s commitment to creating transcendent lifestyle experiences that connect heritage, art, and sophistication, further elevating the brand’s reputation for innovation and cultural leadership in Vietnam’s financial sector.

Police in Tay Ninh Province have arrested a 40-year-old truck driver after a high-speed chase and a tense standoff in which the suspect, reportedly under the influence of drugs, brandished a knife and resisted arrest.

According to the provincial police, at around 7:05 a.m., officers from the Trang Bang Traffic Police Station received an urgent alert about a truck traveling at high speed and recklessly swerving through multiple local roads in Long Thuan Commune, heading toward Ho Chi Minh City.

Traffic officers quickly pursued the vehicle, a truck with license plate 49H-023.21, and ordered the driver to pull over. However, the suspect ignored commands and accelerated, forcing police to block the road with another truck to stop the vehicle.

When surrounded, the driver locked himself inside the cabin, waving a knife and acting aggressively. Despite repeated warnings and negotiations, he refused to surrender and attempted to attack officers with the knife.

A combined task force from the Traffic Police Division, Long Thuan Commune Police, and Ben Cau District Police successfully subdued and arrested the man without any injuries to officers or civilians.

The suspect was identified as Nguyen Thanh Tung, a resident of Binh My Commune, Ho Chi Minh City.
Initial tests showed he was negative for HIV but positive for methamphetamine (“ice”).

Authorities are now compiling a case file and will prosecute the suspect according to Vietnamese law.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has confiscated 127,271 Bitcoin — worth nearly $14 billion — from Chen Zhi, Chairman of Cambodia’s Prince Holding Group, in what officials call the largest digital asset seizure in DOJ history.

According to federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York, Chen Zhi — a Chinese-Cambodian national — faces charges of transnational fraud, money laundering, and operating forced-labor “scam compounds” in Cambodia.

Investigators allege that thousands of workers were trafficked from neighboring countries and forced to run crypto investment scams known as “pig butchering”, under violent and coercive conditions inside walled compounds surrounded by barbed wire.

“Prince Group was little more than a corporate façade for an industrial-scale cybercrime empire,” prosecutors wrote.

A Hidden Financial Empire

A U.S. Treasury investigation by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) uncovered a web of over 100 shell companies linked to Prince Group across multiple countries. These entities allegedly handled illicit transfers, property purchases, and crypto exchanges designed to disguise criminal proceeds.

Chen’s top aides — including Guy Chhay, Ing Dara, Zhu Zhongbiao (“Jack Zhu”), and Karen Chen — were named as nominal directors of these entities, managing international wire transfers and crypto wallets under Chen’s direction.

The system operated as “a parallel financial empire,” according to OFAC, simultaneously laundering money and funneling funds back into scam operations across Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos.

The Role of Huione Group

Parallel investigations identified Huione Group, another Cambodian-based conglomerate, as a “primary laundering hub” for Chen’s network.
Between 2021 and early 2025, Huione allegedly processed more than $4 billion in criminal proceeds, using e-wallets, exchange services, and intermediaries to obscure money trails.

Blockchain analytics firms Chainalysis and TRM Labs traced Chen’s on-chain activity through a sophisticated “spray-and-funnel” laundering method — dispersing Bitcoin into hundreds of temporary wallets before reconsolidating it into core addresses.

Despite these obfuscation efforts, forensic algorithms were able to cluster the patterns and link all transactions back to Prince Group-controlled wallets.

How the U.S. Seized the Bitcoin

The DOJ’s three-step operation involved:

1. On-chain tracing — Using blockchain data to “lock” the flow of funds.

2. Financial sanctions — OFAC blacklisted Chen and his network; the FinCEN 311 rule cut off access to U.S. dollar clearing systems.

3. Judicial forfeiture — U.S. authorities lawfully seized Chen’s private keys and hardware wallets, transferring 127,271 Bitcoin into government-controlled wallets.

The seizure proves, analysts say, that crypto assets are not immune to law enforcement once sufficient technical and legal leverage is applied.

A $14 Billion Question

The Bitcoin, now held in custody by the DOJ, could become part of the proposed U.S. National Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, an idea supported by several lawmakers.
However, legal experts warn that restitution for victims across multiple countries could delay any reallocation of the assets for years.

Chen Zhi’s current whereabouts remain unknown.

A female singer in Da Nang has been fined for multiple traffic violations, including driving without a license and inhaling “laughing gas” directly in front of traffic police officers.

According to the Da Nang Traffic Police Department, officers stopped Đ.K.T., a local resident and performer, on September 1 after noticing suspicious behavior while she was driving a car through the Ngu Hanh Son District.

When ordered to pull over, the woman ignored the signal and attempted to drive away. Police managed to block her vehicle near 63 Ho Xuan Huong Street. Officers said she appeared disoriented, refused to cooperate, and began inhaling nitrous oxide (N₂O) from balloons in front of both officers and bystanders.

During a search of her car, police found four additional N₂O canisters. The woman also failed to produce a valid driver’s license.

Authorities later confirmed she was not qualified to operate the vehicle and issued multiple administrative fines:

• VND 38 million for driving without a license and failing to obey police orders.

• The car owner was fined VND 29 million for allowing an unlicensed driver to operate the vehicle.

• In addition, Ngu Hanh Son Ward Police fined the singer VND 1.5 million for possession of prohibited substances, confiscating the gas canisters as evidence.

Police identified the woman as a singer who previously participated in local art competitions. The case has since gone viral on social media, raising concerns over reckless behavior among public figures.

Police in Thanh Hoa Province have detained a member of a charity group from Dak Lak for allegedly misappropriating donations collected after a traffic collision involving the group’s vehicle and a local driver.

According to initial investigations, Dao Quang Ha (born in 2001, from Hung Yen Province), who runs the Facebook page “Ha and Vietnam”, was part of a charity team that had been raising funds to support flood victims in Thai Nguyen Province earlier this month.

Incident and Fundraising

On October 11, after a minor collision between the charity group’s vehicle and another car in Thanh Hoa, Ha — who was not present at the scene — reposted a video of the accident on his social media page.

The post quickly went viral, attracting numerous comments criticizing the local driver and expressing sympathy for the charity group. Some users offered to donate money to help the group cover a compensation payment of VND 100 million (around USD 3,900) allegedly made to the car owner.

Taking advantage of the situation, Ha shared his personal bank account number and called for donations. One individual transferred VND 43 million (approx. USD 1,700) to his account but requested anonymity.

Funds Misused

Instead of forwarding the full amount to the charity team, Ha reportedly transferred VND 40 million to another personal account and used the money for personal purposes without informing other members of the group.

The Thanh Hoa Provincial Police said the case is under further investigation to determine the extent of the misappropriation and Ha’s intent.

A video circulating on social media has sparked debate after showing a female student at Phenikaa University in Hanoi arguing with her lecturer when she was reprimanded for eating instant noodles during class.

In the clip, the lecturer can be heard saying he would not continue teaching until the student left the classroom, emphasizing that classroom discipline must be maintained. He also told the class he would arrange a make-up session for those who wished to continue studying.

“I will not continue teaching if classroom discipline is not maintained,” the lecturer said firmly.

University Responds

Phenikaa University’s Department of Student Affairs and Entrepreneurship confirmed that the incident involved a breach of classroom etiquette and that the student’s behavior, tone, and attitude were inappropriate, disrupting both the lecturer and fellow classmates.

“Such actions go against the ethical standards and core values of Phenikaa students,” the department noted in its statement.

The university emphasized that higher education is not only about academic learning but also about developing character, conduct, and respect within a civilized and responsible learning environment.

Meeting and Apology

According to a Phenikaa University representative, the administration immediately launched an internal review after learning of the incident. On the morning of October 21, leaders from the School of Economics and the Faculty of Tourism, along with the Student Affairs Department, met directly with the student, the lecturer, and the class.

The university also contacted the student’s parents to ensure proper coordination between the school and family in guiding the student’s behavior.

Following the meeting, the student acknowledged her mistake, apologized to the lecturer and classmates, and committed to improving her attitude and conduct. The university said it appreciated her cooperative and receptive attitude.

“Phenikaa University always values a respectful, understanding, and human-centered educational environment where teachers and students support each other to grow,” the school representative added.

The Hanoi Department of Education and Training (DOET) has issued an official directive calling for a thorough investigation and strict handling of a shocking case in which a 10th-grade student was beaten, humiliated, and forced to kneel and lick a motorcycle license plate.

According to the department’s statement, the incident involved a student from Minh Phu High School in Soc Son District, Hanoi, who was attacked by a group of local teenagers. The disturbing video of the assault has circulated widely on social media, sparking widespread outrage among the public.

The Hanoi DOET has requested Soc Son Commune People’s Committee, Kim Anh Commune People’s Committee, Minh Phu High School, and the Soc Son Vocational and Continuing Education Center to coordinate in verifying and addressing the case.

“Schools must strengthen education on ethics, behavior, legal awareness, and respect for others,” the directive stated, emphasizing the need to prevent similar incidents of school violence.

The Incident

A viral video shows a male student surrounded by several young men who verbally abused and slapped him, forcing him to kneel, apologize, and refer to them as ‘father.’ One of the attackers then ordered the boy to lick the motorcycle license plate. When he hesitated, the assailant kicked him in the face, forcing him to comply.

Initial reports identified the victim as N.Đ.H., a 10th-grade student at Minh Phu High School. The attack occurred on October 15 in a deserted area of the Duoc Ha resettlement zone, Soc Son District.

Authorities said the six individuals involved were aged 15 to 18, all residents of Soc Son. Two of them are students at the Soc Son Vocational Education Center, while the others are unemployed youth.

Investigation and Support

After learning of the incident, Minh Phu High School immediately reported it to Soc Son Police, which has since launched an investigation. The school’s leadership, homeroom teacher, and parent representatives have visited the victim’s family to offer support.

The student has since returned to school and is receiving psychological counseling from the school’s support team to help him recover emotionally.

Public Outrage

The case has fueled intense public anger online. Many commenters called for criminal charges of “humiliation” and “public disorder.”

“This is not just bullying — it’s a criminal act. The perpetrators should be prosecuted to set an example,” one reader wrote.

Others expressed concern that the new disciplinary framework issued by the Ministry of Education — which limits the harshest punishment for students to writing self-reflection reports — may weaken deterrence and fail to curb violent behavior in schools.

Authorities have pledged to continue the investigation and ensure justice for the victim.

Vietnamese travelers can now visit 50 global destinations without a visa or with simplified entry procedures, according to the Henley Passport Index (HPI) October 2025 update.

Vietnam’s passport currently ranks 92nd out of 199, marking an eight-place drop compared to the third-quarter release (84th) and down two spots from 2024. The decline reflects fewer destinations offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access — down from 51 to 50 countries.

Where Vietnamese Travelers Can Go Without a Visa

According to the latest report, Vietnamese citizens holding ordinary passports can enjoy the following access types:

Visa-free (24 destinations)

Barbados, Belarus, Brunei, Cambodia, Chile, Cook Islands, Dominica, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Panama, Philippines, Rwanda, Singapore, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Thailand.

Visa on Arrival (VOA – 22 destinations)

Bolivia, Burundi, Cape Verde Islands, Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Jordan, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Niue, Palau Islands, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tuvalu.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA – 4 destinations)

Kenya, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste.

Vietnam’s Global Mobility: Still Limited, But Improving

The Henley Passport Index, based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), measures the freedom of movement granted to a country’s citizens.

Vietnam ranks 80th globally in terms of “openness,” indicating moderate international mobility.

“Global mobility does not happen by chance — it’s the result of proactive diplomacy and strategic visa agreements,” said Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners. “Countries that actively negotiate reciprocal visa waivers will continue to rise in the rankings.”

Experts note that a country’s visa policies often depend on diplomatic relations, economic stability, and illegal immigration risks. Nations with higher rates of citizens overstaying or working illegally abroad may face tighter restrictions.

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Vietnam’s Passport Ranking Over the Past Decade

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The Henley Passport Index is among the world’s most recognized measures of travel freedom. It is updated quarterly and reflects real-time visa regulations affecting citizens of 199 countries and territories.

A recent case involving the kidnapping and torture of a South Korean student in Cambodia has sparked widespread fear among South Korean travelers, prompting Seoul to issue a travel ban on several areas in the country.

On October 15, the South Korean government announced travel restrictions to Bokor Mountain (Kampot Province), Bavet, and Poipet, citing rising concerns over scams and abductions targeting Korean nationals.

“Korean citizens visiting or staying in these areas may face penalties under the Passport Act and related regulations. Those with travel plans are advised to cancel their trips,” Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, according to CNA.

Growing Anxiety Among Korean Travelers

Seo, a 34-year-old from Seoul’s Mok-dong district, had planned a five-day trip to Cambodia in November to visit Angkor Wat. But after reading continuous reports about Korean nationals being kidnapped or killed, she decided to cancel.

“I asked if I could get a refund, but the answer was no,” Seo told Chosun Ilbo. “If people from our country are repeatedly kidnapped there, shouldn’t the government classify Cambodia as a restricted destination so travelers can cancel for safety reasons?”

The fear intensified after reports that Park Min-ho (22), a university student from Yecheon, North Gyeongsang Province, was detained and tortured to death near a suspected criminal compound in Cambodia earlier this year.

According to lawmaker Na Kyung-won, the number of reported kidnappings of Korean citizens in Cambodia rose dramatically—from 10–20 cases annually in 2022–2023 to 220 in 2024, and 330 cases as of August 2025. Reports of job scams and forced detentions increased almost fifteenfold year-over-year.

On Korean travel forums, the term “Fear of Cambodia” (캄보디아 공포증) is trending, with users warning others:

“Cambodia is terrifying. Are other countries safe?”
“Tips to avoid getting kidnapped.”
“Never travel to Cambodia.”

Cambodian Tourism Sector Pushes Back

In response, Cambodian tourism officials criticized what they called misrepresentation of the situation, urging Seoul to distinguish between criminal fraud networks and legitimate tourism.

“Most victims came seeking illegal jobs, not as regular tourists,” said Seam Sokkheng, head of the Korean Tour Guide Association in Cambodia, in an interview with The Phnom Penh Post. “It’s unfortunate that the Korean government has not differentiated between organized crime and tourism.”

Sokkheng added that his recent Korean tour group felt “completely safe” during their visit. “We regret the misunderstanding,” he said, calling on Seoul to improve public education on online scams and fake job offers that lure people into danger.

Tensions Rise as Seoul Sends Task Force

Amid growing alarm, South Korea elevated its travel advisory for Phnom Penh to Level 2.5 — Special Travel Warning, and dispatched a task force to Cambodia to address concerns about fake employment rings and scam compounds.

Seoul estimates that about 1,000 South Koreans may currently be involved in online scam operations in Cambodia. Cambodian authorities say they are intensifying crackdowns on cybercrime networks, which reportedly employ around 200,000 workers from multiple countries targeting victims worldwide.

“It’s believed that hundreds of thousands are part of Cambodia’s scam industry, affecting victims across Asia, including Korea,” said National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac.