Russian Tourist Stunt-Riding Case in Vietnam Escalated to Criminal Police

Traffic police transfer file after determining dangerous motorcycle performance may constitute public disorder offense.

Authorities in central Vietnam have escalated their response to a viral incident involving a Russian tourist who performed dangerous stunts while riding a motorcycle on public roads, transferring the case from traffic enforcement to criminal investigators for further handling.

On December 21, the Traffic Police Department under the Khanh Hoa police confirmed it had completed its initial case file and formally handed it over to the Criminal Police Division after identifying signs of the offense of disturbing public order. The decision follows an internal review that concluded the conduct went beyond administrative traffic violations.

The case emerged after multiple videos circulated widely on social media on December 18, showing a foreign woman riding a motorcycle with local license plates through several areas of Khánh Hòa Province while performing hazardous and inappropriate maneuvers. The footage sparked public outrage, with many viewers expressing concern over road safety and the risk posed to other road users.

Following verification, police identified the rider as N.I., a Russian national temporarily residing in northern Nha Trang. She was summoned to work with investigators and admitted to operating the motorcycle and lying prone across the seat while the vehicle was in motion. According to authorities, the incidents occurred on multiple occasions, including in January and June, on roads in the Cam Lâm area.

Traffic police determined that the repeated nature of the acts, their intentional execution, and the potential danger to public safety met the threshold for criminal consideration rather than simple traffic infractions. As a result, the case has been transferred to the Criminal Police Division of the Khanh Hoa police to continue proceedings in accordance with Vietnamese law.

The move signals a tougher stance by local authorities on reckless behavior by both locals and foreign visitors, particularly when actions filmed for social media threaten public order and road safety. Investigators are now assessing the full scope of the violations and potential legal consequences facing the suspect.