Taxi driver attacked after refusing extra passenger pickup

Photo courtesy of Tuoi Tre

Police in northern Vietnam have identified seven people allegedly involved in a violent attack on a taxi driver after he refused a request to collect an additional passenger.

The incident happened in Mong Cai 1 Ward, Quang Ninh Province, during the early hours of Sunday and was recorded by an in-car camera. Footage later circulated widely on social media.

Police received a report at approximately 8.30am from Nguyen Van Thanh, 54, who said his 28-year-old son, taxi driver Nguyen Tien Dat, had been assaulted and injured.

Dispute began over vehicle capacity

According to the preliminary investigation, Dat parked outside Lin Lounge 79 at around 2.20am to collect passengers.

One man and three women entered the vehicle. Two women sat in the front passenger area, while the man and another woman sat in the back. Police said the passengers appeared to have consumed alcohol.

After the taxi departed, the two women in front reportedly asked Dat to turn around and collect another friend. He told them the vehicle could carry only four passengers and that he could not take anyone else.

The group then allegedly shouted at the driver and struck him in the head and face.

Driver chased after escaping taxi

Interior camera footage showed passengers arguing with Dat. One woman raised a wooden clog toward him, while another passenger sitting behind the driver grabbed his hair and pulled his head backwards.

Dat shouted for help and called out “robbery” before opening the door and running towards the lounge. Police said members of the group left the taxi and, with several other people, chased him.

The attackers allegedly used their hands, feet, shoes and sticks to beat Dat until he collapsed on the road. He eventually escaped into a karaoke room inside the lounge and hid.

Another taxi driver took him to hospital for emergency treatment at around 3am.

Officers verified the report and summoned seven alleged participants for questioning. The group consists of four women and three men aged between 20 and 48.

Police are continuing to establish the full sequence of events before handling the case under Vietnamese law.

What it means for foreigners in Vietnam

Foreign residents and visitors using taxis should follow the driver’s stated passenger limit and avoid pressuring drivers to carry more people than permitted. If a dispute develops, leave the situation safely where possible and contact police or the booking platform. The allegations in this case remain under investigation, and responsibility will be determined through the legal process.

1 September 2026