Authorities in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa province, are urgently verifying a case involving a cyclo (pedicab) driver accused of behaving inappropriately toward a foreign female tourist, an incident that has drawn widespread criticism on social media.

On June 1, Nguyen Van Minh, Vice Chairman of the Nha Trang City People’s Committee, confirmed that the city has directed relevant departments to coordinate and verify public complaints about a local cyclo driver’s alleged misconduct toward an international visitor.

The controversy erupted after a 15-second video clip went viral on Facebook on the evening of May 31. The video shows a man operating a cyclo exhibiting disrespectful behavior toward a female foreign tourist and a young girl accompanying her.

In the video, the woman attempts to hand money to the cyclo driver. He gestures with an open palm - suggesting dissatisfaction with the amount - then abruptly snatches the money from her hand in a forceful and rude manner.

The clip has sparked outrage online, with many condemning the man’s lack of restraint and calling the act damaging to the city’s image in the eyes of international visitors.

In response, the Nha Trang Labor Federation, which oversees the Nha Trang Cyclo Union, has instructed its affiliated groups to identify and locate the individual in the video.

According to the union, if the man is confirmed to have violated professional ethics, he will have his membership revoked and be removed from the union’s roster. Should his actions be deemed legally problematic or seriously detrimental to the city's tourism reputation, the federation will recommend further disciplinary or legal action by competent authorities.

Xuan Ngoc