Police in Hanoi are currently investigating a viral video on social media showing a street vendor allegedly attempting to overcharge a pair of foreign tourists VND200,000 (US$8.5) for a small bag of fruit.

On Friday, the video surfaced on social media, depicting two foreign tourists’ encounter with a street vendor on Thuy Khue Street in Tay Ho District, Hanoi.

The two tourists were approached by a woman selling Indian jujube loaded on her bicycle. 

After one of them tasted the fruit, she inquired about the price. 

Because of the language barrier, the vendor handed over the fruit and simply nodded, indicating the tourist should give her a VN200,000 bill from her hand.

When the tourists asked for change from the vendor, as they believed the fruit was not worth VND200,000, the vendor refused.

As tensions escalated, the female tourist returned the bag of apples, insisting on a change, but the vendor hesitated, attempting to offer other fruits instead. 

Despite the tourist’s refusal, the vendor insisted on keeping the VND200,000 bill.

A man intervenes when a street vendor allegedly attempts to overcharge a pair of foreign tourists VND200,000 (US$8.5) for a small bag of Indian jujube. Screen shot taken from an online video

A nearby man intervened, questioning the vendor about the price and advising her to return the excess payment.

The incident has attracted widespread attention, with many people expressing concerns about its negative impact on Hanoi’s tourism reputation.

Street vendors, either shouldering their bamboo baskets filled with fruits, flowers, traditional snacks, and other goods, or loading them onto their bicycles, have become part of the Vietnamese capital city’s charm.

Local authorities said they are having police officers investigate the vendor’s actions and potentially impose fines if violations found.

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