The Hanoi Department of Information and Communications has fined a male TikToker VND5 million ($197.4) for providing inaccurate information on social media. 

The fine was reduced as he is handicapped, a representative of the department’s inspectorate told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Saturday.

The TikToker had earlier written on Facebook that he was refused at a pho restaurant and received harsh words at another in Hanoi as he was in a wheelchair.

The representative informed that the Hanoi Department of Information and Communications’ Inspectorate worked with the TikToker, named V.V.N., the owner of the TikTok account V.M.L., as inspectors found that a pho owner did not say “this kind of person” as reported by the TikToker.

The TikToker has made an apology on his Facebook account, attaching a photo of him arriving at the pho eatery on Nam Ngu Street in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi to make an apology.

He wrote that he was acutely aware of his shortcomings and lack of understanding in dealing with the issue.

He added that he was grateful to netizens for helping him realize his shortcomings and wished to receive tolerance and forgiveness.

In January this year, the TikToker wrote on his Facebook account with nearly 150,000 followers that he and his girlfriend visited a pho restaurant in Hanoi.

Being born with a disability that requires him to use a wheelchair, he requested assistance to navigate a three-step staircase, and an employee refused, saying that “our restaurant has no staff to carry someone like you,” he retold.

Upon reaching another pho eatery, also their familiar diner, where space was limited, N. had to squeeze into the owner’s area. 

The owner scolded her staff, saying, “Who accepts this kind of people?” 

After an employee explained that N. often sat there, the owner, displeased, complained that N.’s presence narrowed her working space, N. shared.

This post generated mixed opinions on the accuracy of the story.

N. also posted a TikTok video captioned “Goodbye Hanoi,” featuring images of a chicken pho restaurant on Nam Ngu Street.

The 60-year-old owner of the pho restaurant later confirmed to Tuoi Tre that N. was a regular customer, often visiting in the evening. 

She denied refusing the guests and making any derogatory comments.

The chicken pho eatery also publicized the CCTV footage of the event, which showed that when N. and his girlfriend entered the diner, the owner and an employee paved the way for the two customers. He then sat behind the owner.

After they finished their meal, the eatery’s employee helped push his wheelchair outside.

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