In just over a month, Vietnam has seen a string of daring bank robberies across Quang Ninh, Hanoi, Lam Dong, and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, with assailants using knives, gasoline, and even leaping over transaction counters to threaten bank staff and unsettle the public.

Following each incident, police swiftly responded, tracked down the suspects, and took action.

BIDV branch robbery in Quang Ninh

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Security footage shows the robbery at BIDV in Quang Ninh.

The most recent case occurred at 4:50 p.m. on May 29 at the Phuong Dong transaction office of BIDV’s Southwest Quang Ninh branch (Yen Thanh Ward, Uong Bi City).

A man wearing dark clothes, a white cap, and a face mask entered the bank with a backpack and what appeared to be a knife. He climbed over the glass partition, threatened staff, and snatched approximately VND 417 million (about USD 16,400) from the transaction counter before fleeing. The entire ordeal lasted less than 30 seconds and was captured by security cameras.

After grabbing the money, the suspect fled on a motorbike parked outside.

Quang Ninh police immediately set up checkpoints on major roads leading to Hai Phong and Hai Duong to intercept the suspect.

Less than 24 hours later, on May 30, the suspect, identified as Nguyen Van Bao (born 1992, from Giai Xuan Commune, Tan Ky District, Nghe An Province), was apprehended while hiding in the forest area of Yen Trung Lake (Phuong Dong Ward, Uong Bi City).

Eximbank robbery in Ba Ria - Vung Tau

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Scene of the robbery in Ba Ria - Vung Tau. Photo: Quang Hung

At around 11:30 a.m. on May 21, a robbery occurred at an Eximbank transaction office at 987 30/4 Street (Ward 11, Vung Tau City). The suspect, Duong Ngoc Duy (38, residing in Rach Dua Ward, Vung Tau), wore a sun jacket, dark sunglasses, and rode a motorbike without license plates to the bank.

Duy smashed the glass door, threatened staff with a knife, and stole a cash basket containing around VND 520 million (about USD 20,500).

After grabbing the cash, Duy attempted to flee on his motorbike, but was pursued by bank security and locals. A patrol team from Ward 11 Police happened to pass by and helped subdue and arrest Duy.

At the police station, Duy admitted that he had committed the robbery to repay substantial debts.

SHB robbery attempt in Lam Dong

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Tau Xa Phien under arrest. Photo: Ministry of Public Security

On May 12, in Lien Nghia Town, Duc Trong District, Lam Dong Province, another robbery took place at SHB’s local transaction office.

The suspect, Tau Xa Phien (24, from Phuoc Ha Commune, Phan Rang - Thap Cham City, Ninh Thuan Province), entered the bank carrying a bottle of gasoline and threatened staff.

However, when the alarm was triggered, Phien panicked and fled without taking any money.

While fleeing, Phien stole a stun gun from a security guard and escaped on a motorbike along National Highway 20. Within an hour, Lam Dong police arrested him in Ta Hine Commune, Duc Trong District. Before the robbery, Phien had stolen the motorbike used in the crime.

VietinBank robbery in Hanoi

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Vu Van Lich in police custody.

On April 21, a robbery occurred at the VietinBank transaction office in Phu My (Phu Nghia Commune, Chuong My District, Hanoi). The suspect, Vu Van Lich (born 1985, from Duc Thuong, Hoai Duc, Hanoi), entered the bank with a 30 cm knife and a bottle of gasoline, threatening staff and demanding cash.

Lich stole VND 214 million (approximately USD 8,400) and fled on a motorbike.

After a 38-hour manhunt, police arrested Lich at 4:00 a.m. on April 23 at a riverside tent camp in Linh Nam Ward, Hoang Mai District. Police seized more than VND 75 million in cash, VND 176 million in bank accounts, an Oppo A95 phone, and a SYM Enzo motorbike with removed license plates.

Lich admitted that his motivation was debt from online gambling. He was formally charged on April 29 with “Robbery” and “Illegal gambling.”

Y Nhuy