On the evening of June 4, a video showing a crocodile roaming on National Highway 1 in Ho Nai Ward, Dong Nai Province, spread rapidly across social media and drew widespread attention.

According to the footage, several motorists were shocked to discover the reptile moving through traffic on one of the country's busiest highways. The unusual encounter was recorded on mobile phones and quickly circulated online.

The crocodile's unexpected appearance caused alarm among road users, many of whom slowed down or changed course to avoid the animal.

Tan, a resident living near the highway, said the crocodile suddenly emerged in the middle of the roadway, startling passing drivers.

“No one knows where it came from. We don't know whether it fell from a vehicle or crawled onto the road by itself. Fortunately, its mouth had already been tied shut. Otherwise, the situation could have been very dangerous,” Tan said.

According to local residents, traffic was relatively heavy at the time, forcing many vehicles to reduce speed while navigating around the reptile.

Shortly afterward, several residents brought sacks and attempted to restrain the crocodile and remove it from the roadway to ensure the safety of both motorists and pedestrians. However, the animal appeared aggressive, repeatedly moving away and reacting strongly as people tried to capture it.

Authorities have not yet determined whether the crocodile escaped from captivity or fell from a transport vehicle during transit. An investigation is underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The sighting comes only days after authorities in Vinh Long dismissed reports of two 100-kilogram crocodiles allegedly spotted in a local river, concluding that the widely shared images had been generated using artificial intelligence.

Hoang Anh