Man, 31, assaults woman in Hanoi apartment lobby over their sons' minor dispute

By Pham Du August 11, 2025 | 05:58 pm PT

A quarrel between their children prompted a man in Hanoi to physically assault a woman in the lobby of their apartment building, repeatedly punching and kicking her despite security's intervention.

Dang Chi Thanh, 31, told police on Monday that the incident stemmed from a conflict between his son and the 28-year-old woman's son while they were playing in the lobby of the Sky Central apartment building at 176 Dinh Cong Street several days earlier.

Thanh told police that his son claimed he had been "hit," while the other boy denied it. Thanh said he had asked the woman to apologize, but she refused, leading to an argument.

At around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, upon seeing the woman in the building's elevator lobby, Thanh once again demanded an apology. This led to another quarrel, during which he began attacking her.

Security camera footage shows that Thanh punched the woman twice in the face. When she stepped back to avoid the blows, Thanh kicked her in the stomach and repeatedly punched her in the face and head 10 times. Even when a security guard rushed over to intervene, Thanh continued to act aggressively and attempted to resume the assault.

A screenshot photo from security camera footage shows Dang Chi Thanh assaulting a woman at the lobby of an apartment building in Hanoi, Aug. 9, 2025.

A screenshot from security camera footage shows Dang Chi Thanh assaulting a woman at the lobby of an apartment building in Hanoi, Aug. 9, 2025.

A resident of the building described the children's quarrel as "only minor," but said the two parents later argued loudly.

"After the assault, the man loudly challenged and threatened to kill the woman," this person said.

The building's management declined to provide details of the incident but confirmed that security staff who witnessed it had given statements to the police.

Thanh is currently in criminal custody as police investigate him for "disturbing public order."

From a legal perspective, lawyer Tran Ngoc Thach said Thanh's actions can harm societal safety and order. His use of force, including punching and beating, endangered the victim.

According to Article 318 of the Penal Code, those found guilty of disturbing public order may face fines ranging from VND5–50 million (US$190–1,900), non-custodial reform for up to two years, or imprisonment for three months to two years.