A bookstore in Hanoi has issued an apology on social media for putting on sale globes featuring the illicit ‘nine-dash line’ China uses to assert its absurd sovereignty over a significant portion of the East Vietnam Sea.

The Tan Viet Bookstore, located at Vincom Royal City in Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi, has recalled and destroyed all globes that included the controversial and unlawful ‘nine-dash line,' which threatens Vietnam’s maritime sovereignty, Nguyen Kim Thoa, director of Tan Viet Books, which operates the store, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Thursday. 

The bookstore issued an apology on its social media platforms the same day.

Thoa explained that the globes in question had only been put on display on Wednesday and none had been sold before customers discovered ‘nine-dash line' on Thursday afternoon. 

These globes were part of a shipment of 48 items imported at the end of May.

It was the first time that Tan Viet Books had imported these products.

The globes on sale at the bookstore had all been produced domestically before.

Only five globes from the new shipment were displayed at the Tan Viet Bookstore at Vincom Royal City and none had been distributed to other locations. 

After receiving complaints from customers, Tan Viet Books promptly recalled the globes and convened an emergency meeting with relevant departments to investigate the incident, rectify the situation, and learn from the experience.

Tan Viet Books has been committed to destroying all globes featuring the illegal ‘nine-dash line’ and restructuring its product importation procedures. 

Acknowledging negligence in product testing before importation and sale, Thoa offered apologies to all readers, customers, and members of the public affected by the incident.

Representatives from the Department of Publishing, Printing, and Issuing under the Ministry of Information and Communication have stated that they are aware of the matter and have requested Tan Viet Books to provide a detailed report and explanation.

The department pledged to take strict action against any violation.

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