A reporter in the south-central Vietnamese province of Binh Dinh was threatened by a knife-wielding man for taking photos of overloaded trucks.

Officers from the police department in Nhon Binh Ward, Quy Nhon City summoned Nguyen VanBinh, 40, on Thursday afternoon to verify violent actions against Duong Du Tuan, a correspondent for Nong Thon Ngay Nay newspaper and Dan Viet newswire.

At around 8:30 am on the day, Tuan and Chu Ngoc Oai, a reporter for Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Saigon) newspaper, were working in the ward after receiving complaints about overloaded trucks from local residents.

According to the victim, he was taking photos of a tipper truck carrying an excessive amount of sand and creating serious air pollution in the neighborhood when a strange man got out of a seven-seater car and approached with a knife.

The man pushed Tuan off his motorbike and demanded that the reporter stop taking pictures in his “territory,” before hitting the journalist on his helmet.

“Which newspaper are you working for, or are you a member of T.’s gang?” the man asked shortly before threatening the journalist with his weapon.

Duong Du Tuan (L) and Chu Ngoai Oai report the incident to police in Nhon Binh Ward in the south-central province of Binh Dinh. Photo: Tuoi Tre

He repeatedly yelled at Tuan and attempted to force him to delete his photos.

Binh only left after Tuan pretended to erase the pictures from his camera. 

Oai was able to capture the incident on video.

Tuan and Oai then reported the incident to local police officers.

During a working session at the police department, Binh stated that he is the manager of Xuan Phat Company, a transport services operator for construction projects in Nhon Binh Ward.

Nguyen Van Binh (L) during the working session with local police on March 22, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Binh claims his attack on the reporters was a case of misidentification, believing that the reporters were actually gang members working for groups who have threatened his truck drivers in the past.

At the police station, Nguyen Thi Xuan, a representative of Xuan Phat Company, said she had extended her apologies to Tuan via a phone call.

She added that Binh had been tasked with chopping tree branches a few days ago, which explains why he was carrying a large knife in his car.

Officers will continue to collect statements until they are able to determine an appropriate punishment.

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