Several people arrested in Vietnam over coffin parade stunt with living person inside

A leader of Soc Trang Ward confirmed on Tuesday that local police had served prosecution decisions and detention orders against several suspects on suspicion of disturbing public order during the incident, which took place on Le Duan Street in Area 10 of the ward on the evening of June 4.

Those arrested include Pham Quoc Em, 31, from Phu Quoc Special Zone in An Giang Province; Pham Van Loc, 48, from Phu Khuong Ward in Vinh Long Province; Co Minh Duc, 32, from Soc Trang Ward; Cao Van Ven, 25, from My Phuoc Commune in Can Tho; Ly Thanh Liem, 19, from Tan Thanh Commune in Can Tho; and Nguyen Quoc Khai, 38, from Phu Tam Commune in Can Tho.

According to the ward leader, some individuals have yet to admit wrongdoing, and authorities are continuing their investigation. Any violations found will be handled in accordance with the law.

Initial findings showed that at around 6:30 pm on June 4, a birthday party was held for a man identified as N.H.N. at N.T., a coffin workshop located in Soc Trang Ward.

Participants referred to the gathering as a third death-anniversary commemoration for the same person.

The event featured music and singing. At the end of the celebration, a closing ritual was held, after which one person climbed into a coffin and was carried on the street by a group of participants.

Videos circulating on social media showed several people wearing matching outfits carrying the coffin while dancing through the street. A living person inside the coffin later sat up and joined the dancing.

The procession occupied part of the roadway and attracted large crowds of curious onlookers, many of whom filmed and live-streamed the spectacle.

Authorities said the coffin was carried from the party venue onto the street for about three minutes, causing a disturbance to public order.

The clips quickly went viral online, attracting tens of thousands of views and generating widespread criticism. 

Many viewers described the act as offensive and inappropriate, while several large social media pages reposted edited versions of the videos to boost engagement and viewership.