Man fined for soliciting drugs to foreign tourists in Hanoi's Old Quarter

The enforcement action, announced by the Drug Crime Investigation Department under the Ministry of Public Security on Sunday, follows the viral circulation of a social media video showing the suspect offering drugs to visitors. The incident had triggered public criticism for its negative impact on the reputation of the capital's tourism.

Immediately after the footage emerged, Major General Ngo Thanh Binh, Director of the Drug Crime Investigation Department, directed a task force to coordinate with Hanoi police for an investigation, Tien Phong newspaper reported.

Authorities subsequently summoned a 54-year-old man, a freelance worker and former taxi driver residing in Hanoi, for questioning.

During the interrogation, the individual admitted to being the person in the video and detailed his methods for approaching tourists.

The suspect explained that he frequently interacted with foreign visitors during his time as a taxi driver and began targeting the Old Quarter about two weeks ago after noticing a potential demand for narcotics.

To build rapport and gain the trust of tourists, he admitted to using specific terms such as "weed," "coke," and "MDMA."

However, he clarified that his primary goal was not to sell drugs but to guide interested tourists to massage establishments in exchange for financial commissions.

Despite his use of drug-related terminology, police found no physical evidence of the man possessing or delivering illegal substances, according to Lao Dong newspaper.

The suspect affirmed that he had never directly distributed drugs to foreign visitors and had no knowledge of any delivery locations. He was also tested negative for drugs.

He was issued a fine for "insisting on or forcing tourists to purchase goods or use services" under the Law on Tourism 2017.

Authorities have since warned local businesses to monitor for similar illicit solicitation activities to preserve the city's tourism image.