Vietnam Insider

Frustration mounted among visitors on Monday as the Louvre Museum, the world’s most-visited museum, remained closed for a second day following a dramatic daylight jewel heist.

Crowds gathered outside the museum’s iconic glass pyramid, pressing against locked iron gates in hopes of entering. The Louvre had been scheduled to open at 9 a.m. local time, just one day after masked robbers made off with several priceless jewels and fled on scooters.

But disappointment spread quickly when officials announced that the museum would stay shut for another day.

“It’s my birthday, it was my gift, and I’ve wanted to come for years, so I’m a bit upset,” said Elisa Valentino, 31, a visitor from Italy, wiping away tears.
“I studied art — this was the only thing I had planned for my trip to Paris, and I’m leaving tomorrow.”

Other tourists echoed her frustration. Jesslyn Ehlers, 38, from the United States, said she and her husband had checked online before coming but found no notice of the closure.

“We were excited to show up,” she said. “We’re just kind of disappointed — we’ve been planning this for a long time.”

The Louvre confirmed that visitors who booked same-day tickets would receive refunds, though for many, the closure was a bigger emotional loss than financial.

Adam Cooke, 65, visiting from London, said he and his wife would miss their only chance to see the museum’s vast collection, which includes the Mona Lisa.

“We’ll be refunded, but that’s not the point,” he said.

Seven-Minute Heist

The Louvre, alongside the Eiffel Tower, is one of Paris’s top attractions, drawing nearly nine million visitors last year. The shock closure followed an audacious heist on Sunday, when thieves stole eight priceless jewels, including an emerald-and-diamond necklace once gifted by Napoleon I to Empress Marie-Louise.

The burglars reportedly entered through a window near the museum’s Apollo Gallery using a ladder and cutting tools, breaking into display cases before escaping within seven minutes. They dropped a ninth artifact — the crown of Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III — which was later recovered, damaged.

“It’s amazing that the heist happened in broad daylight. That’s obviously very unfortunate and embarrassing,” said Cooke.

For many, the incident raised concerns about the museum’s security.

“It’s unimaginable that someone could steal something from the Louvre,” said Sissi Liu, 39, a tourist from China.
Andreea Dumitras, 17, from Moldova, added: “What’s most frustrating is how weak the security seems to be. Someone from security told me it’s not even certain the museum will reopen soon.”

The Louvre has yet to confirm when it will reopen to the public as police continue their investigation into what many have called one of France’s most daring cultural thefts in recent history.

Ho Chi Minh City — Vietnam is seeing a surge of interest from Eastern European travelers following its recent visa exemption policy, according to data from online travel platform Agoda.

Agoda reported a 60% increase in search interest from Eastern Europe after Vietnam announced visa-free entry for citizens of 12 European nations in mid-August. Specifically, searches rose 77% from Slovenia, 74% from Poland, 72% from Bulgaria, 69% from Romania, and 61% from Slovakia, based on accommodation search data between August 15 and September 30 for stays during October and November, compared to the same period last year.

“The data clearly demonstrates how simplified entry procedures and improved accessibility encourage travelers from Europe and other long-haul markets to visit Vietnam,” said Vu Ngoc Lam, Country Director of Agoda Vietnam.

Starting August 15, citizens from Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland have been granted visa-free entry for stays of up to 45 days, regardless of passport type.

The rise in search activity mirrors official statistics. Data from the General Statistics Office of Vietnam shows that European tourist arrivals increased by nearly 35% in the first nine months of 2025.

In the third quarter alone, Vietnam welcomed 568,370 European visitors, marking a 38% increase from the previous quarter and an impressive 60% year-on-year growth.

Ho Chi Minh City — A 23-year-old woman was killed after losing control of her motorbike and sliding under a trailer truck on Tran Dai Nghia Street, Binh Tan District, on Wednesday morning.

According to police, the accident occurred at around 10 a.m. near 92C Tran Dai Nghia Street, Tan Tao Ward, when the woman’s motorbike collided with a tractor-trailer carrying steel coils, both traveling in the same direction toward Vo Tran Chi Street.

Security camera footage showed the victim’s motorbike skidding and falling under the truck, resulting in her death at the scene. The victim was later identified as H.T.T.N, 23, from Tay Ninh Province.

A man riding a motorbike behind her also fell while trying to brake suddenly but escaped serious injury as a nearby truck driver managed to stop in time.

Traffic police quickly arrived to cordon off the area, redirect traffic, and investigate the cause of the crash. By early afternoon, the scene had been cleared and traffic resumed normal flow.

Residents said Tran Dai Nghia Street is relatively narrow but frequently crowded with large vehicles such as trucks and container lorries. Authorities urged motorists to maintain safe distances and avoid traveling alongside heavy vehicles to prevent similar accidents.

Ho Chi Minh City – October 23, 2025 — The Ho Chi Minh City Police have officially prosecuted and detained singer-songwriter Luong Bang Quang and his wife, DJ and internet personality Vo Thi Ngoc Ngan, widely known as Ngan 98, on charges of offering a VND 8 billion (US$320,000) bribe to avoid criminal prosecution in a counterfeit food case.

According to police reports, this marks the latest development in the expanded investigation into the case of “producing and trading counterfeit food” in which Ngan 98 had previously been detained.

Investigators said that after authorities uncovered serious violations in her company’s business operations in July 2024, Ngan 98 and Luong Bang Quang allegedly gave VND 8 billion to Le Sy Cuong (38, residing in Ben Thanh Ward) — a social acquaintance — to act as a middleman in an attempt to “settle” the case.

Based on the evidence collected, on October 23, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Investigation Agency issued arrest warrants and prosecution decisions for Luong Bang Quang and Vo Thi Ngoc Ngan on charges of bribery, and for Le Sy Cuong on charges of acting as an intermediary in bribery.

Authorities are continuing to expand the investigation to identify and handle all individuals involved in accordance with the law.

Counterfeit Health Products Containing Banned Substances

Earlier, on October 13, Ngan 98 was arrested and prosecuted for “producing and trading counterfeit food products.”
Investigators revealed that she operated ZuBu Trading and Service Co., Ltd., a company registered under her mother’s name, and ZuBu Shop, registered under another associate.

Since 2021, Ngan had worked with several factories in Hanoi to manufacture dietary supplements such as Super Detox X3, X7, and X1000, all officially licensed. However, she later produced an unregistered product called “Collagen Vegetable Capsules”, labeled as a “complimentary item” to bypass regulations.

Testing showed that some of these products contained sibutramine and phenolphthalein — substances banned in food and supplements due to their severe health risks, including cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure, digestive disorders, and potential carcinogenic effects.

The products were marketed as a complete “weight-loss regimen”, sold at prices ranging from VND 870,000 to VND 1.1 million per set.
Data from delivery companies indicated that between 2023 and 2024, revenue from these illegal operations reached hundreds of billions of dong.

Public Reaction

The case has sparked widespread attention across Vietnamese social media, with many expressing shock over the scale of the alleged bribery and the involvement of a well-known entertainment couple.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to cracking down on counterfeit goods and corruption within the health supplement industry — a sector that has rapidly expanded in recent years amid growing demand for beauty and fitness products.

Thailand’s tourism industry is once again on edge as concerns grow that a wave of kidnapping and scam-related crimes in neighboring Cambodia could drive South Korean tourists — one of Thailand’s key markets — to shift their travel plans toward Vietnam.

The warning comes just months after a sharp drop in Chinese arrivals following a series of high-profile abduction cases linked to scam compounds in Myanmar, which led many Chinese travelers to choose safer destinations like Vietnam and Malaysia.

Korean Traveler Death Sparks Regional Alarm

The latest shock came last week, when South Korea imposed travel bans on parts of Cambodia after a Korean university student was tortured to death inside a scam center. Seoul immediately dispatched officials to Phnom Penh to assist citizens allegedly detained in similar facilities.

As Korean media warned travelers to avoid not only Cambodia but also its neighboring transit hubs, Thai tourism officials began to fear “spillover effects” that could dampen their country’s recovery momentum.

“Online scams have become a serious social concern in South Korea,” said Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, President of the Chonburi Tourism Council, speaking to the Bangkok Post.
“Tour packages to Thailand haven’t been canceled yet, but new bookings are slowing dramatically. We estimate a 20–30% drop in the Korean market for Pattaya, as many travelers are switching to Vietnam, which offers lower costs and fresh attractions.”

A Regional Image Crisis

The situation is reminiscent of earlier this year, when the abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing and his transfer to a scam complex in Myanmar triggered a 35% decline in Chinese arrivals to Thailand during the first nine months of 2025.

As of mid-October, Thailand had welcomed 1.2 million Korean tourists — down 17% year-on-year — ranking fifth among international markets. Meanwhile, Vietnam has drawn 3.3 million Korean visitors, making South Korea its second-largest source market after China.

“The fear surrounding scam syndicates in Cambodia has created a ripple of insecurity across the region,” noted Adith Chairattananon, Secretary-General of the Thai Travel Agents Association.
“Many Koreans use Thailand as a transit point to Cambodia, but now they feel the Thai government’s security measures are not strong enough to guarantee their safety. This hurts Thailand’s brand as ASEAN’s travel hub.”

Eastern Thai provinces such as Chanthaburi and Trat — once popular with overland tour groups heading to Cambodia — are also seeing reduced traffic due to both border tensions and security fears.

Vietnam’s Tourism Advantage

Analysts say Vietnam is benefiting from its reputation for safety, affordability, and dynamic tourism development. According to travel expert Shukor Yusof, founder of Endau Analytics, “A new airport or infrastructure project alone cannot restore confidence in Cambodia. Travelers today prioritize safety and trust — and Vietnam offers both.”

He added, “Beyond Angkor Wat and the Killing Fields, Cambodia struggles to compete with Vietnam and Thailand in culture, cuisine, and security. For now, Cambodia’s image is deeply damaged by associations with scam networks and human trafficking.”

Thailand’s Challenge Ahead

Tourism accounts for nearly 20% of Thailand’s GDP, and Korean visitors are a cornerstone of the sector. Experts warn that without stronger regional cooperation to combat cross-border crime, Thailand risks losing market share not only to Vietnam but also to emerging Southeast Asian destinations seen as safer and better managed.

As one Thai tourism insider put it:

“Scams don’t just hurt victims — they destroy confidence. And once tourists lose trust, they don’t just cancel trips. They go elsewhere.”

South Sudan – In a powerful display of skill, compassion, and international solidarity, Vietnamese military doctors serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have successfully performed a complex Achilles tendon reconstruction on a Mongolian officer — marking the first surgery of its kind carried out by Vietnam’s Level-2 Field Hospital No.7 on African soil.

According to Vietnam’s Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the operation was performed after the officer, a senior commander from Mongolia’s peacekeeping contingent, suffered a complete rupture of his left Achilles tendon during a training exercise.

Trust Across Borders

After a thorough examination and consultation, the Mongolian officer expressed full confidence in the Vietnamese medical team and requested to undergo surgery at the field hospital, ensuring continuity of care while maintaining his leadership duties within the mission.

Given the complexity of the case, the hospital sought authorization from the UNMISS Chief Medical Officer before proceeding. Approval was swiftly granted, allowing the team to schedule and carry out the procedure.

A Precision Operation in the Heart of Africa

The operation was led by Dr. Tran Duc Tai, Director of Vietnam’s Level-2 Field Hospital No.7. Over the course of nearly an hour, the surgical team worked with absolute focus and precision to reconnect the ruptured tendon using a modified Krackow suture technique — a method designed to enhance tendon strength, minimize bleeding, and promote optimal physiological recovery.

The surgery took place under strict sterile conditions with comprehensive anesthesia, resuscitation, and infection-control protocols in place.

Following the procedure, the patient was transferred to the recovery ward for close monitoring. His post-operative progress has been excellent: the wound remains clean and dry, and functional recovery is on track.

“This successful operation once again demonstrates the professionalism, dedication, and humanitarian spirit of Vietnam’s peacekeeping medical personnel,” said Dr. Tai.

Beyond One Surgery: Building Trust and Saving Lives

This was the third successful surgery performed by the Vietnamese field hospital within its first month of deployment to South Sudan. In addition, the hospital has carried out one aeromedical evacuation, and provided consultation and treatment for over 200 patients from various UN contingents.

Members of Level-2 Field Hospital No.7 also actively participate in all UNMISS medical and peacekeeping training programs, continually strengthening cooperation and readiness to respond to humanitarian and emergency medical needs across the mission area.

A Symbol of Vietnam’s Peacekeeping Commitment

Since joining UN peacekeeping missions, Vietnam has become increasingly recognized for the professionalism and compassion of its “blue-beret doctors” — military physicians who bring both medical expertise and a message of peace to conflict-affected regions.

The success of this operation not only reflects Vietnam’s growing medical capabilities on the international stage but also underscores the country’s unwavering commitment to global peacekeeping and humanitarian missions.

Nghệ An, Vietnam – In a shocking five-minute rampage inside the Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, a 29-year-old man armed with a fruit knife attacked seven people — including nurses, family members, and newborn infants — in a scene that left medical staff and patients reeling in horror.

Authorities have detained Ban Van Vy, who is under investigation for attempted murder and intentional injury, following the violent outburst that unfolded on the morning of October 23.

A Normal Morning Turns into Chaos

Vy’s wife had just given birth to twins, one of whom had been transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit due to infection. According to hospital staff, Vy appeared calm when visiting his wife earlier that morning — before suddenly snapping around 10 a.m.

Witnesses say Vy burst into the hospital room, grabbed a small fruit knife, and began attacking people seemingly at random. A nurse and a patient’s relative were the first victims. Screams filled the corridor as patients and family members scrambled for safety.

“He suddenly turned violent. I saw him try to grab a baby and run toward the window,” said Phan Thi Tu, a 63-year-old grandmother who was caring for her premature grandchildren in the same room.
“I begged him not to throw the child. He strangled me, but I fought back and ran with the baby in my arms.”

Vy then allegedly chased Tu and struck both her and the infant before turning on others nearby.

‘He Tried to Throw My Grandchild’

Another witness, Ngo Thi Thu Thuy, from Dien Chau District, recalled the horrifying moment Vy seized her newborn grandchild and headed for the restroom, apparently intent on throwing the baby.

“I didn’t think of my wounds — I just had to protect the baby,” Thuy said, showing bandages on her arms after being stabbed several times.

Even Vy’s wife, lying weak from childbirth, was attacked as hospital staff rushed to intervene.

Bravery Amid Panic

Hearing the screams, nurse Tran Thi Hong sprinted from an adjacent room and confronted Vy, managing to snatch the baby from his hands before fleeing.

“He was furious, holding the knife tight. I just ran as fast as I could,” Hong said.

As Vy pursued her through the ward, another nurse, Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang, grabbed the child and hid with colleagues in a small staff room, using a thin blanket to cover the newborn. Vy found them and stabbed Trang four times before being restrained.

A hospital security guard recalled hearing shouts of “Fire on the third floor!” — only to find chaos instead.

“When I arrived, I saw him stabbing a nurse. I tried to calm him down, to buy time so the nurses could escape with the baby,” the guard said.

Within five minutes, police officers arrived and subdued Vy.

Seven Injured, One in Critical Condition

Hospital director Tang Xuan Hai confirmed that seven people were injured — including two nurses, a medical student, two relatives, and two infants. Nurse Trang sustained serious stab wounds but survived after emergency surgery at Nghe An General Hospital.

One newborn suffered minor head injuries but was stabilized.

A Wake-Up Call for Vietnam’s Healthcare System

The Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital — a top regional maternity facility with over 1,300 staff — has since tightened security measures.

The attack highlights growing concern over violence against healthcare workers in Vietnam. According to the Ministry of Health, most such incidents occur in provincial hospitals, with 70% of victims being doctors or nurses.

The World Health Organization estimates that 8–38% of healthcare workers globally experience workplace violence at least once in their careers — often at the hands of patients or relatives under stress.

As authorities continue investigating what drove Vy’s sudden breakdown, the country is once again debating how to protect those who dedicate their lives to saving others.

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.