Hanoi man fined for posting AI-generated video of giant python in Sword Lake

The Hanoi Police Department’s Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention Division identified the individual as a 50-year-old resident of Thanh Xuan Ward, according to Lao Dong newspaper.

He was charged with "providing and sharing false information on social media" after posting the content to attract online engagement.

The video, titled "Here comes the descendant of Lac Long Quan," utilized AI technology to depict the man sitting atop a massive snake swimming through the waters of the iconic lake.

A screenshot image of the AI-generated video that has been removed. Photo by Hanoi police

Lac Long Quan is a revered figure in Vietnamese mythology, celebrated as the dragon-king ancestor who married the mountain fairy Au Co.

According to the national creation myth, their union produced 100 children who became the ancestors of the Vietnamese people. By using this cultural imagery in a fabricated context, police stated the man abused AI technology to distort the significance of one of Hanoi’s most sacred historical and cultural sites.

During questioning by the authorities, the man admitted to creating the video on his mobile phone solely to increase his social media views and likes, Voice of Vietnam reported.

He acknowledged that the fabricated footage was misleading and negatively impacted the reputation of the city's scenic relics. Following his confession, he pledged to refrain from similar violations in the future.

The Hanoi Police have issued a public advisory urging citizens to remain vigilant in identifying distorted or fake AI-generated content.

A police officer in Hanoi questions a man who created a fabricated video of himself riding a giant python in Hoan Kiem Lake using AI. Photo by police

Officials emphasized that the use of AI to create or disseminate false information, impersonate individuals, or defame others is strictly prohibited. They further warned that such actions infringe upon citizens’ rights and can pose a significant threat to national security and public order.

Under Vietnamese rules, individuals providing or sharing false, distorted, or slanderous information on social media can face fines ranging from VND10-20 million (US$400 – 800).