Police in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday rescued a three-year-old and a seven-year-old reported missing by their mother while selling candies on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in District 1 last week, finding that a 21-year-old woman lured the children to an apartment in Binh Thanh District.

Initially, police officers established that Pham Huynh Nhat Vi, a 21-year-old woman from Tien Giang Province in the Mekong Delta, who were accused of kidnapping the two children, had no prior relationship with them.

Local authorities are currently investigating Vi’s motives.

On Wednesday evening last week, police in Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 received a report from Nguyen Thi Chi, 27, residing in District 7, regarding the disappearance of her two biological children, seven-year-old N.K.T.M. and three-year-old L.H.T.L., while they were selling candies in the Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street area. 

Over 200 officers were mobilized to locate the children promptly. 

Utilizing professional methods and public assistance, around 4:30 am on Monday, police determined that around 8:30 pm last Wednesday, an unidentified woman approached the kids when they were unattended.

The woman took them through various routes from District 1 to District 8, before eventually taking a ride-hailing service to Saigon Pearl apartment building in Ward 22, Binh Thanh District. 

Upon investigation, officers found out that Vi was keeping the children in an apartment in the Saigon Pearl complex. 

Police officers swiftly apprehended Vi and safely rescued the kids, who appeared frightened when found huddled together. 

Following a health check, it was confirmed that the children were in good health. 

Officers initially determined that Vi used material incentives and sweets to attract and retain the children, acting alone. 

Currently, police are gathering evidence to initiate legal proceedings against Vi in accordance with the law.

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