The owners of a diner in the southern Vietnamese province of Long An have been fined VND4 million (US$176) for overcharging a group of customers.

Pham Thanh Long, chairman of the People’s Committee in Thu Thua District, confirmed on Wednesday that the eatery, located along a section of National Highway 1 in Thu Thua District, had been penalized for the violation.

The administration in Nhi Thanh Commune, Thu Thua District, was also put under review for allowing an environment in which this situation, and similar situations, could occur.

On the afternoon of September 4, a group of six diners arrived at an eatery owned by Do Thanh Nhan and his wife Nguyen Thi Phuong Khanh.

The group ordered six rice dishes, each of which included ribs, eggs, vegetables, and a cup of iced tea.

The guests were in such shock at the VND1.2 million ($53) bill that they immediately reported the incident to the People’s Committee of Nhi Thanh Commune.

Officers from the Nhi Thanh administration arrived at the eatery to make a report of the case and ‘negotiate’ with the sellers.

The eatery owners eventually agreed to lower the price from VND1.2 million to VND400,000 ($18).

Since the incident, a specialized delegation of inspectors has examined operations at nearly 60 roadside restaurants along National Highway 1, National Highway 62, and National Highway N2 in Thu Thua District.

The delegation found that several facilities were unable to present business licenses, food safety certificates, and menus with dish prices as per regulations.

Inspectors encouraged violating eateries to comply with regulations. 

A hotline was also set up for customers to report being ripped off.

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