Phu Quoc investigates 3 foreigners soliciting alms on street

By Hoang Phong January 31, 2023 | 08:42 pm PT

An aerial view of Phu Quoc Island in southern Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh

Photos of three foreigners begging near Duong Dong Market on Phu Quoc Island have gone viral on social media, prompting local authorities to step in to verify.

Huynh Quang Hung, chairman of island city, said he instructed the police to investigate, local media reported.

Photos show the three men with signs in Vietnamese saying: "Hello, we're from Russia. We've been traveling without money for the last five years. Please support our trips. Thank you."

A photo that went viral on social media shows three men with signs in Vietnamese saying: Hello, were from Russia. Weve been traveling without money for the last five years. Please support our trips. Thank you.’

A photo that went viral on social media shows three men with signs in Vietnamese asking for money to support their traveling.

This is not the first time foreigners have been seen begging on Phu Quoc, which they can visit for 30 days without a visa.

In 2017 a Russian girl was seen meditating on the sidewalk on Tran Phu Street in Duong Dong Town and asking for money.

Foreigners begging for money has stirred debate in Vietnam and other Asian countries over whether they deserve support or if they are just taking advantage of their hosts to enjoy a free vacation.

The Thai police last month arrested two Russian men who were soliciting alms in Surat Thani, around 650 km south of Bangkok, for illegally staying in the country.