On February 3, representatives from Ba Ria General Hospital confirmed they were treating dozens of patients who had been admitted since February 1. The patients, all employees of the same bank, began arriving in waves after attending a Tet party organized days earlier.

According to hospital officials, most patients presented with severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. All reported attending a corporate party held on January 31, where food had been ordered from a restaurant located in Xuyen Moc Commune and transported to the bank's premises.

Initial symptoms appeared around 2 p.m. on February 1, with patients arriving at the hospital shortly afterward for treatment.

By the evening of February 3, the total number of affected individuals had reached 46. Of those, 16 have since been discharged but remain under observation at home. The remaining patients are reported to be in stable condition, and no severe complications have been recorded so far.

The hospital has collected biological samples from the patients and submitted them for testing, while also reporting the incident to the city’s Department of Health and the Department of Food Safety, in accordance with public health protocol.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the suspected outbreak. An investigation into the food supplier and handling process is underway.

This is one of several food poisoning incidents reported in Ho Chi Minh City in recent weeks, sparking renewed concern about the safety of mass-catered meals, particularly during the busy Tet holiday season.

Quang Hung