Cheeky, lazy robbers

Like other victims of robberies, Nguyễn Thi Lan from the province of Bình Phước panicked when her mobile phone valued at VNĐ11 million (US$489) was snatched last week.

But she was more than surprised when two minutes after the two robbers ran away, they came back.

They threatened her with scimitars, not to ask for more money but to ask her … for the password to unlock the phone.

The robbers even handed the phone to Lan so that she could unlock it.

Unreasonable fine?

The first storm of the season that hit Việt Nam last week struck down thousands of trees in typhoon-affected provinces and cities.

A gum tree in Miếu Gỗ hamlet of Ngọc Thanh Commune in northern Vĩnh Phúc’s Phúc Yên District fell onto electric wires, causing a power outage for the whole hamlet.

The tree’s owner, only identified as V.T.T by local media, was asked by the local electricity co-operative to pay VND1.5 million ($67) to repair the broken lines and restore power.

She was warned that if she did not pay, her family would be subject to a fine of up to VNĐ10 million ($445) and the power supply of the village would be cut.

Locals thought it was quite unreasonable.

The tree had grown before the electricity wires were installed, the tree’s owner said, adding that she had not heard any regulation regarding this kind of compensation.

The big bag lineup

Lining up to wait for an exam at many hospitals in Việt Nam is common.

At a hospital in southern Đồng Nai Province there are so many people seeking medical atention that they have to stay awake and line up at 1-2am to get a number for their turn.

Patients and their relatives have come up with a unique idea to save a place in the long queue and also still ensure a god night’s sleep.

They put their belongings including books, helmets, shoes, bottles, baskets to replace themselves in the queue. 

This makes for an interesting scene at the hospitals at night.

Meanwhile, the owners of these belongings feel secure enough to rest on nearby rows of benches to wait for the security guard who comes at 4.30am to give out numbers.

And if thieves abuse this practice to steal belongings? Perhaps they should keep in mind that they could get infected with the owners’ germs. — VNS