Chinese man jailed for theft on HCMC–Da Nang flight

By Hai Duyen June 3, 2025 | 12:20 am PT

A court in Ho Chi Minh City has sentenced a Chinese man to one year in prison for stealing US$1,700 in cash from a fellow passenger's carry-on luggage during a flight from the city to Da Nang last year.

Chen Guangdong, 54, was convicted of theft at his trial on Tuesday.

According to the verdict, the incident occurred on Dec. 24 last year. Chen was seated next to a Vietnamese man named Son, and both stored their bags in the same overhead compartment.

After Son fell asleep, Chen discreetly opened his bag and took a wad of cash from his wallet.

Another passenger, noticing Chen's suspicious behavior, recorded the act on their phone. The footage was shown to Son, who checked his belongings and discovered the missing money. He then alerted the flight attendants.

Realizing he had been seen, Chen attempted to return the money to Son's backpack but was caught in the act by crew members and other passengers.

He was found with $1,500 and VND5 million ($192) in cash.

Chen was handed over to airport authorities, who documented the incident and referred the case to police for investigation.