French men deported from Vietnam for graffiti vandalism

By Minh Nga  &nbspNovember 6, 2024 | 07:41 pm PT Two French men are made to cover the graffiti they sprayed on a structure in HCMC’s District 1. Photo by police Two French nationals have been deported from Vietnam after being caught spray-painting graffiti on structures in Ho Chi Minh City. Police in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City announced Wednesday that Portron Malo Pierre Bernard, 36, and Da Cruz Kevin, 33, received administrative penalties for two offenses: traveling in Vietnam without carrying a passport, and engaging in activities without authorization from Vietnamese authorities. Each man was fined VND12.9 million (US$508) for these violations. In coordination with the Immigration Management Department, District 1 Police imposed an additional penalty of deportation, according to Cong An Nhan Dan (People’s Police) newspaper. The men were apprehended at 11:40 p.m. on Oct. 2, when district police on patrol discovered them spray-painting graffiti on a wall along Nguyen Trai Street in the downtown. Upon inspection, officers confiscated nearly 20 spray paint cans and brushes. Neither individual could produce a passport and was taken to a police station for further investigation, During questioning, Portron and Da Cruz admitted they had entered Vietnam together and purchased...