A Chinese national has been sentenced to one year in prison by a Ho Chi Minh City court for stealing cash from a fellow passenger during a domestic flight.
Chen Guangdong, 54, was convicted of theft after he was caught rummaging through another passenger’s carry-on luggage and stealing $1,500 USD and VND 5 million (approximately $200) during a Vietnam Airlines flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang on December 24, 2024.
According to the court proceedings, Chen sat next to the victim, a Vietnamese man named Son, and placed his hand luggage in the same overhead compartment. With the intent to steal, he waited until Son fell asleep, then secretly opened his wallet and took the cash.
However, a nearby passenger noticed Chen’s suspicious behavior and discreetly recorded the incident on a mobile phone. The witness alerted Son, who checked his belongings and discovered the money was missing. Flight attendants were informed, and Chen was seen attempting to place the stolen cash back into Son’s backpack just before being confronted by the crew and other passengers.
The aircraft captain detained Chen onboard, and the stolen funds — totaling nearly VND 43 million — were recovered in full. Upon landing, the Southern Airports Authority documented the incident and transferred the case to local police for investigation.
In court, Chen expressed remorse and apologized for his actions, requesting leniency so he could return to his family sooner. Despite his plea, the court handed down a one-year custodial sentence.
The case has raised concerns about in-flight theft, particularly during domestic travel in Vietnam, and authorities are reminding passengers to remain vigilant with their personal belongings during flights.
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Source: Vietnam Insider