Airline staff steals $1,900 from checked luggage on HCMC–Hanoi flight

By Pham Du October 22, 2025 | 07:31 pm PT

Tran Anh Phuong Vu, a baggage handler at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, at the time of his arrest for stealing cash from a passenger's bag. Photo by police

Police at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi have accused an airline baggage handler of stealing VND50 million (US$1,898) from a passenger's checked luggage on a flight from Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City to Noi Bai.

Hanoi police identified the suspect as Tran Anh Phuong Vu, 26, an employee of an airline's baggage service. Authorities say he took advantage of a lapse in security while handling baggage at Tan Son Nhat on Sept. 17 and rifled through a passenger's checked bag, removing the cash.

After landing at Noi Bai and discovering the money missing, the passenger reported the theft to airport police. An investigation at Noi Bai later identified Vu as the suspect and the stolen cash was recovered in his possession.

Vu is a resident of HCMC.

The case has been transferred to HCMC police for further investigation.