Your Say, published every Friday, lets readers express their opinions on a topic or issue raised by the editor.

Next week: How should passengers who assault flight attendants be punished?

The Southern Airports Authority has fined a male passenger VNĐ15 million (US$672) for assaulting an air hostess after accusing her of stealing his mobile phone on a Vietnam Airlines flight from Hà Nội to HCM City last week.

The passenger told authorities that he couldn’t control himself and slapped the air hostess across her face. He remembered leaving the phone on the table after his meal but when he woke up, it was not there.

As the plane landed, he used another phone to call the lost one, but it was switched off. When all passengers had disembarked, another attendant found the lost phone under his seat.

The fine will go to the State budget and the air hostess will not receive any compensation, even an apology.

What do you think about the incident and the punishment? What should the punishment for him be in your opinion? Have you witnessed a similar incident, particularly during flights?

Please reply by email to: opinion@vnsmail.com, or by fax to (84-4) 3 933 2311. Letters can be sent to The Editor, Việt Nam News, 79 Lý Thường Kiệt Street, Hà Nội. Answers must be received by Thursday morning, August 25, 2016. – VNS