Operator of Nha Trang bar, whose staff threatened foreign tourists with shovel, fined over $1,900 for business violations

The administrative penalty decision was issued by the People’s Committee of Nha Trang Ward in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam.

Under the decision, BlueSea Trading, Services and Tourism Co. Ltd., the operator of the bar, committed two separate violations, including failing to register changes to its business location license as required by law, and operating food and beverage services without a valid food safety eligibility certificate.

Each violation carries a fine of VND25 million ($955), bringing the total penalty to VND50 million.

In addition to the financial penalty, the ward administration ordered the company to complete proper registration procedures to update its business license in line with current regulations.

The ward administration also issued a notice demanding that the company cease all service activities at Lot No. 5 of the beach east of Tran Phu Street and dismantle the kiosk that was being used for purposes inconsistent with approved uses.

Officials said the contract allowing the company to offer umbrella and beach chair services with the Nha Trang Public Utility Services Management Board expired on December 31, 2025.

Despite this, the company continued to use the kiosk to sell food and beverages, which violated both contractual terms and related legal regulations.

The ward administration set a deadline of January 10 this year for the removal of the violating structure.

If the company fails to comply, authorities said they will enforce corrective measures in accordance with the law.

The penalties follow public outrage after a video circulated widely on Facebook showing a confrontation between employees of the bar and foreign tourists at Nha Trang’s beach park.

In the video, two foreign tourists were standing on a pedestrian walkway in the beach park while arguing with the bar’s staff.

Moments later, one man from the group ran toward the tourists while raising a shovel in a threatening manner.

Another staff member approached the tourists while holding a white plastic chair, also appearing to threaten them.

A bar representative said the incident occurred during the New Year holiday spanning the first four days of 2026.

At that time, the two foreign tourists were allegedly intoxicated and had behaved inappropriately toward a female staff member of the bar.

Male employees intervened to stop the behavior, which then escalated into a verbal dispute.

The representative said language barriers contributed to the misunderstanding and heightened tensions.

Some staff members failed to restrain themselves and acted inappropriately by threatening the tourists with a shovel and a chair.

Following the incident, the bar management said they met with the tourists involved to apologize and conducted internal reviews to correct staff attitudes and behavior.

On Tuesday, the ward administration ordered the suspension of the bar’s operations for lacking a valid food service business license.