Hong Kong tourists say robbed, sell photos for food

Two tourists from Hong Kong are selling their own pictures on the street in downtown Ho Chi Minh City to be able to get their daily meals.

They claim they were robbed of all their possessions and identity papers by bag-snatchers on a scooter.

Their story and photographs, posted on a blog on Wednesday, have spread rapidly and attracted sympathy from many netizens.

Doris and Kay say they lost their bag with their cash, credit cards and identity papers while walking on Xo Viet Nghe Tinh Street in Binh Thanh District.

Doris and Kay sell their own photos on Ho Chi Minh City’s Bui Vien Street
after being robbed off all their possessions, including identity papers

After reporting the robbery to the local police and getting an appointment for a week later to see if they could retrieve their belongings, the duo went to District 1’s Bui Vien Street – known as the city’s backpacker’s area – to sell photos for food.

On a piece of cardboard, they wrote: “All robbed, pls support.” And a piece of paper carries information about their loss in Vietnamese, asking people with any information to call 0908.012123.

On another piece of cardboard, they warn others to be careful. “We are from Hong Kong. Just watch out professional scooter robbery! Kay and Doris.”

Within 24 hours after their story was first posted on a blog, many netizens have shown their sympathy and expressed their readiness to support them.

Blogger Poly said the duo had planned to spend Christmas and the New Year Day in Vietnam. They are waiting to obtain a new passport from the Consulate General and are having to sell their own photos to survive.

“Doris is a woman and she should not sit on a HCMC street all day in changing weather. We should know why Doris is crying. What would they say when they get back to their own country?” the blogger wrote.

Many others have offered to host the duo in their homes and said they are furious with the robbers who give the city a bad name.

Thanh Nien Weekly was not able to reach the Pham Ngu Lao Police Station for comment despite several calls.

A shop owner on Bui Vien Street told Thanh Nien Weekly on Thursday that the duo were selling their photos on Wednesday evening and a resident on the street let them stay in their house later.

Thanh Nien News (The story can be found in the December 16th issue of our print edition, Thanh Nien Weekly) 

Posted in: Asia,Society,Tour in Vietnam,Vietnam,violence