The administrative fine of 150,000 VND was imposed, but there was no criminal record for "overcharging."

A representative of Hang Bac Ward Police stated that there was insufficient evidence to charge Ms. T. with "overcharging" foreign tourists. After a video went viral showing Ms. T. quoting a price of 200,000 VND/kg for rose apples to foreign tourists, the authorities stepped in to verify the situation.

Ms. T., 42, from Hoang Mai District, explained that she sourced high-quality rose apples from a supermarket, which led to a higher selling price. She stated that she quoted 200,000 VND/kg, expecting the customers to bargain. Eventually, the foreign customer offered 30,000 VND for two fruits (200g), which Ms. T. accepted.

The video, which gained nearly 2 million views in two days, sparked controversy, with many netizens criticizing the high price compared to the market value of rose apples, typically ranging from 45,000 - 80,000 VND/kg in Hanoi.

Ms. T. shared that she had stopped trading due to the backlash. She recounted that the incident occurred on Hoan Kiem Lake walking street when two foreign tourists asked to film her stall as a souvenir. She agreed, not anticipating the negative impact it would have on her life.

Authorities confirmed that there was no evidence to prove that the video was staged. Despite this, many questioned the authenticity of the clip since the vendor appeared aware of being filmed yet quoted a high price.

While the police fined Ms. T. for street selling, they could not substantiate claims of overcharging. The incident highlights the complexities street vendors face in balancing business practices with public perception, especially in the age of social media.

The TikTok page of the foreign customer frequently features videos of his experiences with street food in Vietnam, showcasing his proficiency in Vietnamese and interactions with local vendors.

Linh Trang