Under the glow of streetlights, the screeching roar of modified exhausts pierces the night. Young men swerve wildly on motorbikes, their passengers wielding steel pipes. These reckless riders have become a source of fear, leaving behind a trail of tragedy.

Three lives lost in one night

On July 17, the Hanoi People’s Court tried 35 defendants in a violent street brawl that ended with three young men dead. The accused - many just teenagers - stood with heads bowed as the prosecution read the charges. In the gallery, grieving parents sat silently, heavy with despair.

In June 2024, Nguyen Hoang Thinh (born 2006) and friends gathered to celebrate the birthday of Ha Hong Minh (born 2007) at a restaurant in Nam Tu Liem District. Afterward, around 20 members of the group headed to the Artemis Building on Le Trong Tan Street to take photos and share cake.

But the celebration turned violent when they crossed paths with Nguyen Khanh Toan's group. What began as a minor dispute escalated into a melee of bricks, sticks, and sugarcane stalks as the two groups clashed.

Later that night, two separate street racing gangs roamed the city looking to “settle scores.”

In the early hours of June 12, Minh’s group encountered that of Nguyen Thanh Nam - also out for revenge. Mistaken identities led to chaos as the teens chased and attacked each other with improvised weapons.

Motorbike engines roared as gangs sped through Hanoi’s streets, brandishing iron rods and bottles. In the violence that followed, Trần Quang Anh sustained a serious head injury, while Nguyen Thanh N. (17), Nguyen Chan P. (16), and Duong Van T. (15) died on the scene after being knocked off their bikes.

The court sentenced Nguyen Hoang Thinh to death for murder, while others received sentences in accordance with their charges.

Nights of terror

On July 23, the Hanoi People’s Court held another trial involving the notorious “Dong Anh street racing gang.”

At 1 a.m. on September 18, 2024, Lai Duy An (born 2007) and members of a Facebook group called “Dong Anh Bo May La Nhat” gathered to cause havoc. Armed with swords, knives, and beer bottles, they sped through Hanoi, attacking random strangers.

Around 2:15 a.m., they pursued Nguyen Dinh Thang, injuring him with a slash to the arm. Moments later, Nguyen Viet Anh (born 2009) slashed another passerby, Pham Ngoc Hien, three times on the left arm. Hien’s friend was also attacked and pushed onto the pavement.

The gang then targeted Nguyen Vu Tuan Anh (born 2007). When he crashed while fleeing, they surrounded and beat him. Despite Tuan Anh’s pleas, Nguyen Duc Hoang (born 2009) struck him in the head, cracking his helmet and fracturing his skull.

Unfazed, the gang continued their rampage. On Hoang Cau Street, they spotted two more young men on a motorbike. Without provocation, they chased and slashed them as well.

For his role, Hoang received a 7-year prison sentence for attempted murder. Other gang members were convicted of public disorder.

A fatal crash at a red light

In late April 2024, another street racing group was tried for public disorder and traffic violations.

Around 10 p.m. on November 2, 2024, Nguyen Hong Nhung (20) and a female passenger joined a street racing group after weaving through Hanoi’s streets. By 11:30 p.m., Nhung was speeding, weaving, honking nonstop, and blatantly running red lights.

At 12:15 a.m. on November 3, while racing down Tran Hung Dao Street, Nhung crashed into Nguyen Huong Q., who was waiting at a red light. Seconds later, fellow racer Nguyen Ta Minh Khang - unable to stop - also collided with Q., killing her on the spot.

Nhung received an 8.5-year prison sentence for the fatal crash. Meanwhile, Q.’s parents, shattered by their daughter’s untimely and senseless death, are left with a lifetime of grief.

T. Nhung