Authorities in a ward in Hanoi have fined a street vendor VND150,000 (US$6) for attempting to overcharge a pair of foreign tourists VND200,000 ($8.5) for a small bag of fruits.

The vendor then returned the VND200,000 to the tourists.

On Monday, Bui Thi Lan Huong, vice-chairwoman of the administration in Tay Ho District, informed Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that Buoi Ward in the district had fined B.T.L., a resident of Hung Yen Province, near Hanoi, who currently resides in Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.

According to the Buoi Ward administration, L. committed two violations related to pricing regulations and urban order directives.

The VND150,000 ($6) fine was a punishment for her urban order violation.

For the pricing violation, as she already returned the VND200,000 to the tourists, the ward has advised her against repeating it.

At the headquarters of the ward, L. admitted that her act was wrong, expressed her regret, and apologized for unintentionally creating a bad impression about Hanoi among foreign tourists.

Chairman of the People’s Committee of Buoi Ward Nguyen Minh Hoai said the ward calls on laborers to comply with regulations on trade, show elegant and civilized behavior, and not to sell products in banned areas.

On Friday last week, a video showing a street vendor attempting to fleece two foreigners on Thuy Khue Street in Tay Ho District surfaced on social media.

The two tourists were approached by a woman selling Indian jujubes from 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 both tourists asked for change from the vendor, as they believed the fruit was not worth VND200,000, the seller refused.

As tensions escalated, the female tourist returned the bag of the fruit, demanding a full refund, 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 nearby man intervened, questioning the vendor about the price and advising her to return the excess payment.

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

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