VietNamNet Bridge - Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said he walked into the ancient town of Hoi An. As his motorcade was far behind him, he did not know that these vehicles were on the walking street. The PM would like to take responsibility and offered an apology to the people for the incident.

PM Phuc takes photo with tourists on Hoi An street.

At a video conference held on August 17 to review administrative reform tasks in 2011-2015 and the implementation of administrative reform plan for 2016-2020, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc talked about the incident occurring in Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam on August 8.

He said he walked into the ancient street and did not know that the motorcade ran behind him into the pedestrian area. But the PM still claimed responsibility for the incident and said he would like to give an apology to the people and asked for people’s sympathy.

Earlier, several photos capturing the PM’s motorcade on Hoi An pedestrian street posted on social networks, causing mixed reactions. Some officials of Quang Nam province and the organizers of the PM’s trip explained about the incident.

According to the organizers, under the initial plan, the PM would be picked up at the Da Nang International Airport and taken to the Palm Garden Hotel. 

However, on the way to the hotel, PM Phuc wanted to take the opportunity to meet with Hoi An people, who have been successful in preserving cultural heritage and developing tourism. 

The PM’s motorcade stopped at Le Loi - Nguyen Thai Hoc intersection. PM Phuc and other members left their cars to walk to Chua Cau (Bridge Pagoda) and walk around Hoi An streets.

"The PM's delegation did not sit in cars visiting the old town. The PM and all members walked for nearly 1km to visit some shops and talk with local residents and tourists. Some travelers and local people took pictures with the PM on the road," said Dinh Hai, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Nam.

Explaining why the PM’s motorcade ran on the pedestrian street, a provincial police official said as the roads are narrow and crowded, the motorcade could not turn because it would cause traffic disorder. Therefore the motorcade ran directly into the old quarter to wait for the PM at another place.

"We did not break the law, because Article 22 of the Law on Road Traffic does not prohibit police vehicles from leading the way into restricted roads or crossing red lights," the police official said, adding that if the PM’s visit to the ancient town had been planned earlier, the local police forces would have had a better plan.

Dinh Hai said the local authorities should admit their mistake in organizing the trip.

Pha Le