Chinese milk tea chain fined $2,300 in Vietnam over map with illegal ‘9-dash line’

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports announced the fine at a press briefing on Thursday.

The department explained that it had collaborated with the city police to conduct a working session with Chagee Vietnam concerning its dissemination of information and images that violated national sovereignty.

Under current regulations, the agency imposed an administrative penalty of VND60 million (approximately $2,300) on the firm, which is based in Vincom Center, 72 Le Thanh Ton, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.

On its official website, Chagee Vietnam introduces itself as an official part of the popular Chinese milk tea brand Chagee.

On March 7, approximately a month after its establishment, Chagee Vietnam shared a link to its Chagee app on its official Facebook page CHAGEE Vietnam.

The app displayed a map featuring the nine-dash line, a disputed maritime claim by China in the East Vietnam Sea, sparking immediate outrage among Vietnamese users on social media platforms.

Although the company had been preparing to open its first outlet in the former District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, the backlash led it to halt its plan. 

Subsequently, the Chagee app has been removed from both the Google Play and App Store in Vietnam.

After about four months of silence, Chagee Vietnam announced on its official website on July 14 that it had opened its first store in Vietnam at 59 Nguyen Duc Canh Street, Tan Hung Ward (formerly District 7), Ho Chi Minh City on the same day.

The announcement reignited strong online reactions, with approximately 7,000 ‘angry’ emoji reactions on Chagee Vietnam’s official Facebook page within two hours of announcing the store opening.

Currently, Chagee Vietnam’s official website features a general map of Vietnam—including Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos—on its homepage.