Young woman in Ho Chi Minh City fined for riding motorbike hands-free, bowing to passers-by

After officers summoned the woman, identified as Thai Trieu V., a resident of the former Binh Duong Province, for questioning, she admitted that she was riding a motorbike with a friend on the back seat when she released both hands and put her palms together in a bowing gesture for about 5-10 seconds on December 7.

The new Ho Chi Minh City was formed by merging the old city with Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau Provinces on July 1.

She was booked for her action–riding without holding the handlebars, an offense specified in Clause 11, Article 7 of the government’s Decree 168.

Under this regulation, V. shall be fined up to VND8 million (US$303) and faces a suspension of her driver’s license for 22-24 months.

Also, officers temporarily confiscated both her license and the motorbike involved.

On Thursday morning, a 15-second video surfaced on social media, showing two young women riding a motorbike.

The rider let go of the handlebars and bowed to people along the street, while the other woman appeared amused instead of intervening.

Numerous vehicles were traveling behind them at the time, heightening concerns about the risk of an accident.

The incident occurred on Cach Mang Thang Tam Street in Lai Thieu Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Binh Nham Ward of Thuan An City in the old Binh Duong Province.

The footage quickly drew widespread attention and criticism online.

Many viewers condemned the dangerous disregard for traffic laws and urged authorities to take action.