Pham Ngoc Cuong, 44, has been placed under investigation for disturbing public order, Phu Yen provincial authorities said on June 3. He is currently barred from leaving his residence as police continue to probe the incident.
The chaos unfolded on the afternoon of May 31, when Cuong, accompanied by his young son, drove his vehicle along a 13-kilometer stretch of sandy coastline in Tuy Hoa City. Witnesses said he honked repeatedly while navigating through crowds of tourists and families, causing panic along the beachfront.
A pickup truck runs on a crowded beach in Phu Yen, central Vietnam, May 31, 2025. Video by Cao Toan
The reckless ride came to an abrupt end when the truck got stuck in wet sand and had to be extracted with a crane.
Footage of the bizarre scene quickly went viral on Vietnamese social media, triggering a storm of criticism. Both tourists and locals voiced shock over the dangerous stunt, questioning how such an incident could occur in a public space.
When questioned by police, Cuong admitted that his actions were "completely wrong."
