Ho Chi Minh City police arrest TikToker for allegedly insulting southern citizens

The municipal Department of Public Security confirmed on Saturday that Diep, from northern Ninh Binh Province, has been detained and prosecuted for allegedly abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the state and the legitimate rights of organizations and individuals.

The arrest followed cyber management operations by Ho Chi Minh City police, which revealed Diep’s violations through his social media activity.

Investigators found that his TikTok account had uploaded multiple videos containing content that allegedly disparaged southern residents, promoted hostility, and fueled regional discrimination, all undermining national unity.

The videos received millions of views and thousands of likes, comments, and shares, sparking public outrage and condemnation while disrupting online order and security.

Some content also reportedly affected fundraising and relief efforts for flood-hit communities in northern Vietnam, directly impacting the operations of relevant organizations.

Authorities concluded that Diep’s motivation was to gain likes, views, and interactions on social media, as well as to increase his online fame.

Forensic review determined that the clips ‘undermine the great national unity’ and ‘seriously infringe upon the honor, reputation, and dignity of others’ under the relevant provisions of Vietnam’s 2018 Law on Cybersecurity.