Russian tourist summoned for riding motorcycle with no hands, helmet on Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island

At around 5:00 pm on May 4, residents recorded and posted on a video of the tourist operating a motorcycle without a helmet and with both hands off the handlebars.

Traffic police in Kien Giang Province later directed its task force in Phu Quoc to verify and locate the tourist, police officers said on Wednesday.

Traffic police later identified the violator as a Russian national named Aleksandr who was born in 1980. 

He is currently staying in Ong Lang Hamlet, Cua Duong Commune, Phu Quoc City.

Aleksandr admitted that the motorcycle was rented from a business in Duong Dong Ward.

While driving in Bai Thom Commune, he violated traffic regulations by not wearing a helmet, taking both hands off the handlebars, and driving without a valid driver's license, as required by Vietnamese law.

Local traffic police issued an administrative violation against Aleksandr and temporarily impounded the motorcycle for 10 days.

Authorities also summoned Pham Thi Dien, the owner of the motorcycle, for questioning regarding her responsibility in renting the vehicle to an unqualified individual, in violation of Article 56 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety.

Local police advised businesses and individuals engaged in vehicle rental services to thoroughly check the legal qualifications of renters, particularly the validity of their driver's licenses and the license's compatibility with the rental type.

Foreign nationals living, working, or traveling in Phu Quoc are urged to strictly comply with traffic regulations to avoid endangering themselves and others.