Police in Ho Chi Minh City's Ben Nghe ward swiftly responded to allegations of overcharging involving electric scooter rental service providers on Nguyen Hue Street, after a video accusing them of exploiting famous streamer IshowSpeed went viral.

The incident, which unfolded on the bustling walking street, has prompted a broader conversation about tourist experiences and the integrity of local businesses.

On the evening of September 14, as social media buzzed with discussions, the local police summoned the two men seen in a live video with IshowSpeed for questioning.

The stream had captured an interaction where the streamer was quoted an exorbitant rental fee for a short scooter ride, drawing immediate public attention.

The controversy began when IshowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., a 19-year-old American known for his YouTube and streaming presence, was reportedly asked to pay 100 USD for a scooter rental.

Upon taking out his money, another quote of 1 million VND was made by a different operator, resulting in the streamer paying the latter amount for just a few minutes of use.

At the time of the transaction, the live stream was being watched by 169,000 viewers, magnifying the impact of the incident and leading to significant backlash on social media.

Critics argued that such practices harm the image of Vietnamese tourism and tarnish the country's reputation internationally.

In the aftermath, Mr. Le Duc Thanh, the chairman of the District 1 People's Committee, expressed concern over the incident's potential to damage the national reputation. He informed that he had directed the Ben Nghe ward People's Committee to reach out to IshowSpeed to offer an apology and arrange for the refund of the overcharged amount.

Dam De