French men deported from Vietnam for graffiti vandalism

Police in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City announced Wednesday that Portron Malo Pierre Bernard, 36, and Da Cruz Kevin, 33, received administrative penalties for two offenses: traveling in Vietnam without carrying a passport, and engaging in activities without authorization from Vietnamese authorities.

Each man was fined VND12.9 million (US$508) for these violations. In coordination with the Immigration Management Department, District 1 Police imposed an additional penalty of deportation, according to Cong An Nhan Dan (People's Police) newspaper.

The men were apprehended at 11:40 p.m. on Oct. 2, when district police on patrol discovered them spray-painting graffiti on a wall along Nguyen Trai Street in the downtown. Upon inspection, officers confiscated nearly 20 spray paint cans and brushes. Neither individual could produce a passport and was taken to a police station for further investigation,

During questioning, Portron and Da Cruz admitted they had entered Vietnam together and purchased spray paint and brushes on Oct. 2, intending to create graffiti at multiple locations, including parks, residential shutters, and fences around vacant lots.

The police later escorted the men back to the sites to repair the damage caused by their actions.