Vietnam authorities don’t kid around when it comes to making arrests as they have shown that not even superheroes are above reproach.
According to Thanh Nien, on January 7, District 1’s public order inspection team and Ben Nghe Ward police arrested “Spider-Man” at 10pm while on patrol on Nguyen Hue’s pedestrian area. Vo Quoc Hung, vice chairman of the Ben Nghe Ward People’s Committee told the newspaper that a street vendor dressed up as the American superhero to sell lollipops in the area.
Currently, district officials have banned street vendors, beggars and motorists from the walking street. However, most offenders only run away when law enforcement officers are present and then come back once they’ve gone.
In the case of “Spider-Man”, the merchant failed to produce any valid personal identification and was temporarily arrested and fined VND350,000 for illegally setting up a vendor.
“Before, we have also come across some similar cases where vendors dressed up as Sun Wukong [Tề Thiên Đại Thánh] or cartoon bears to sell snacks or even beg for money on Nguyen Hue,” Hung added. “Especially during festive occasions, [these characters] disrupt public order by stealing wallets and snatching people’s phones.”
Ever since Nguyen Hue and Bui Vien were turned into pedestrian-only zones, these thoroughfares have become a popular hangout spot for Saigoneers. Hence, the crime rates in the vicinity also increased as delinquents capitalize on crowded streets to commit minor crimes.
[Photo via Thanh Nien]
