Recently, Vietnamese social media has been abuzz with controversy surrounding a “harassment incident at a fashion shop” in Ninh Binh. The incident quickly drew attention not only due to the unusual behavior captured in the video but also because it raised suspicions about a “dirty content” scheme, given that the person who posted the video had previously been involved in the staged “red Mercedes” incident.
Amid the storm of suspicion and outrage, a completely unrelated individual was unexpectedly pulled into the fray, facing unfounded criticism: a beautiful girl and her husband were suddenly named just because she bore a slight resemblance to the person featured in the clip.
Accordingly, as soon as the video of the harassment at the men’s clothing store began to circulate, alongside discussions about the truth behind the incident, the online community started to “hunt” for the identity of the female employee and the “perverted youth”. Based on unclear images in the video, some accounts quickly pinpointed and falsely identified a couple.
The girl being targeted has a personal account under the name Lan Anh and her husband, Nguyen Duc, run a fashion business. The couple was subjected to a barrage of false information posted by numerous fan pages, community groups, and individuals. As a result, malicious comments, judgments, and curious questions flooded her personal page, causing the young woman to feel like she was “sitting still but still caught in the crossfire”.
The couple had to “get angry” on social media, speak out to clarify the situation, and express their outrage. She affirmed that she had no connection to the store or the incident, demanding that the online community cease spreading false information. Her reaction was not only to defend her personal honor but also served as a warning about the culture of irresponsible “hunting” and “judging” on social media.
While the authorities have confirmed that the young man in the video is undergoing psychiatric treatment and his family has publicly apologized, Lan Anh and her husband still have to grapple with the “remnants” of the rumors.
This shows that social media is a place where information spreads at lightning speed; each user needs to equip themselves with critical thinking and a high sense of responsibility. Don’t let haste turn an innocent person into a victim of unfounded rumors.