Incident caused major property damage and renewed focus on tourist behavior and public safety in Vietnam’s coastal tourism hub.
As Vietnam continues to attract record numbers of international visitors, a violent incident involving an Australian tourist in the central city of Da Nang has drawn attention to the challenges of maintaining public safety in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing travel destinations.
Authorities in the city of Da Nang have charged a 35-year-old Australian man with disturbing public order after an alleged rampage at a café in the Hai Chau district that left hundreds of millions of Vietnamese dong in damages and triggered panic among customers and staff.
According to investigators, the incident occurred in the early hours of May 30 at a café on Le Hong Phong Street. Police say the man became involved in a dispute with another customer before allegedly smashing the person’s mobile phone and using a wooden chair to destroy property throughout the venue. Witnesses reported scenes of chaos as furniture and equipment were damaged and customers rushed outside to escape.
Authorities allege that the suspect then moved to a mezzanine level, kicked doors, continued damaging property, and restrained a young man inside the premises until police arrived and intervened. Security camera footage reportedly captured the entire incident, providing investigators with detailed evidence of the events.
Police estimate the damage at nearly VND383 million (approximately US$15,000), including mobile phones, laptops, and tablet devices belonging to customers. Officials said the disturbance attracted large crowds and significantly disrupted public order in a busy central area of the city during the night.
Investigators also stated that the Australian national showed signs of resistance and failed to cooperate during questioning. While he has initially been charged with disturbing public order, authorities are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage and are considering additional allegations related to property destruction.
The case comes as Vietnam experiences a surge in international tourism, with destinations such as Da Nang becoming increasingly popular among foreign travelers, expatriates, and digital nomads. While incidents involving foreign visitors remain relatively uncommon, high-profile cases tend to attract significant public attention due to their potential impact on the country’s reputation as a safe and welcoming destination.
As Vietnam expands its role as a leading tourism and investment hub in Southeast Asia, authorities face a growing challenge: balancing an open, visitor-friendly environment with strict enforcement of laws designed to protect public safety. The outcome of this case may serve as another reminder that foreign visitors are fully subject to Vietnamese law—and that disruptive behavior can carry serious legal consequences regardless of nationality.
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Source: Vietnam Insider