Authorities in Hanoi have suspended the operation of a ‘bun rieu’ (Vietnamese crab noodle soup) shop for allegedly charging customers VND400,000 (US$16) per bowl on January 29, the first day of the Lunar New Year (Tet).

Speaking to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Friday evening, Hoang Thi Tuyet Lan, chairwoman of the People's Committee of Bach Khoa Ward in Hanoi's Hai Ba Trung District, stated that she had instructed the ward's police to investigate a shop accused of charging VND1.2 million ($48) for three bowls of 'bun rieu' two days earlier.

This price was 10 times the normal rate of VND40,000 ($1.6) per bowl at the shop, located at 54 Bach Mai Street, Lan explained.

“I have ordered the suspension of this restaurant from today to investigate whether there has been an issue of 'exorbitant prices.' If so, the restaurant will face strict penalties in accordance with current regulations,” said the chairwoman.

“At the same time, we have also asked the restaurant to contact the customers to discuss the matter in detail. The results of this discussion will be reported to the ward police for further resolution.”

When invited to cooperate with local police, the restaurant owner was very cooperative and admitted that there had been a mistake.

He explained that the normal price for a bowl of ‘bun rieu’ was only VND40,000, but he “jokingly said it was VND400,000 and quoted VND1.2 million for three bowls.”

“The customers thought the joking price was real and made a VND1.2 million bank transfer to the restaurant,” the owner claimed.

As per the information gathered from neighboring residents and the owner’s statement, the owner has occasionally joked with customers that the price is VND400,000, ten times the normal rate, said Lan.

The ward’s chairwoman emphasized that the so-called ‘joke’ is inappropriate, particularly during Tet, when food prices tend to rise.

The ward’s police have asked the restaurant owner to write and submit an explanation about this incident.

“The owner has also proactively apologized to the customers on social media and expressed his intention to meet with them again to apologize and refund the excess money, but he has not been able to reach the diners yet,” Lan added.

This is a major lesson for the owner of this establishment, as well as a general lesson for others, the official stated.

“While joking is acceptable when you know the person well, it is inappropriate to joke like that with customers, especially on the first day of Tet,” Lan said.

“We urge the restaurant owner to use all available means to contact the customers, apologize, and resolve the issue.

“If there was any wrongdoing, it will be dealt with in accordance with regulations.”

Earlier, a social media user named Thu Nguyet shared her unpleasant experience on her page after visiting the restaurant on the first night of Tet.

She explained that she went to the restaurant on the evening of January 29 with her father and brother, without asking about the price beforehand.

When it was time to pay, they were told the cost for three bowls of ‘bun rieu’ was VND1.2 million, which shocked all of them.

“Here's a tip for those going out to celebrate Tet: always ask for the price first. Personally, I’ll never return to this shop,” Thu Nguyet wrote.

Shortly after, a social media user named Nguyen Oanh, who claimed to be the owner's sister, responded online, stating: “Hello, I am the owner of the shop at 54 Bach Mai. If you were charged VND1.2 million for three bowls, I urge you to report it to the police immediately. During Tet, our restaurant only increases prices by VND5,000-10,000 [$0.2–0.4] per bowl. The highest price for a special bowl is just VND60,000 [$2.4].”

However, after Thu Nguyet provided evidence, including a transfer report for VND1.2 million, the restaurant owner posted an apology on social media, expressing a desire to reconcile and return the excess money.

Local police are continuing to handle the case.

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