Graffiti vandalism reemerges in Ho Chi Minh City

In recent days, walls, doors, and even street signs in central areas have been marked with crude drawings and graffiti-style writing. The markings have appeared suddenly and in volume, raising concerns among those who work and live in the city center.

"Just a few months ago, everything was clean. Now the entire book street is covered in messy scribbles. No agency or authority has given permission for this," said Vuong, who works at Nguyen Van Binh Book Street.

Graffiti is now visible not only along the popular book street but also in other key public areas around the city center, including Ben Thanh Market, Le Loi Street, and Ly Tu Trong Street. In many places, the markings resemble nonsensical signs or random scrawls.

The issue is not new. In the past, similar vandalism drew public attention and led to swift enforcement action, resulting in a sharp decrease in cases. 

However, the problem has returned in recent weeks and appears to be more widespread, especially in locations frequented by tourists.

City police have confirmed that graffiti has been found at multiple downtown sites, including Nguyen Van Binh Book Street, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, the General Sciences Library, and other cultural or public facilities. 

Authorities said the vandalism is degrading the city's appearance and harming its image as a modern, orderly urban center.

To counter the growing trend, police have increased patrols and surveillance in high-traffic areas. They are also working with local officials and property managers to install and upgrade camera systems in order to quickly detect and respond to new incidents.

According to the police, individuals or groups caught engaging in graffiti vandalism may be fined and could face criminal charges if their actions meet the legal threshold.

In parallel, law enforcement is conducting public outreach to encourage residents and tourists to protect the city's appearance and report any violations. 

Officials have asked the public to share photos or video evidence of vandalism to assist investigations.

Police say they are committed to strictly addressing all violations and called on the public to support efforts to maintain a clean and welcoming urban environment. 

Authorities stressed that safeguarding the city's image is a shared responsibility as Ho Chi Minh City continues to grow as a dynamic and friendly destination.