Thai-owned supermarket apologizes for detaining Vietnamese boy over theft suspicion

The incident occurred last Saturday at the GO! Da Lat supermarket in Xuan Huong-Da Lat Ward, where staff suspected the boy of stealing chocolate and took him to a private room, separating him from his cousin, and holding him without the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

The boy’s mother, identified as V.N.X.T., said she was not contacted during the incident and only found out afterward through the cousin, who took the boy to the supermarket.

She later narrated the case on social media, criticizing the store for treating her child 'like a criminal' and failing to apologize.

According to the Xuan Huong-Da Lat Ward People’s Committee, supermarket representatives have since delivered a written apology to the family.

The store admitted procedural errors, particularly in how the child was handled, and pledged to retrain its staff and update protocols to ensure the rights of minors are respected.

Management said an internal review was launched following the complaint.

On the day of the incident, reviewed video footage confirmed that the child had not taken any items.

He was released after the footage was checked.

The mother said her family accepted the apology, noting the company’s willingness to take responsibility and implement corrective measures.

Local authorities and police said they are reviewing the incident.

A ward official said they contacted the family to offer support, but the family had returned to Ho Chi Minh City as planned.

GO! is operated by Central Retail Vietnam, a subsidiary of Thailand’s Central Retail Corporation.