According to Lao Dong reporters' investigation, this information comes from a Facebook post by an account owner named Minh Ohio (with 500,000 followers).
In the clip posted on November 22, 2024, filmed in Hoi An ancient town, Minh Ohio said: “To drive these boats (boats that take tourists on the Hoai River - PV) and have codes (vehicle registration numbers), the boat owner must pay about 1.6 to 1.8 billion VND. Operating hours are from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Similarly, to drive a cyclo in Hoi An, you must also spend from 1.6 to 1.8 billion VND”.
The article quickly received great public attention, with thousands of interactions, shares, and comments.
Below Minh Ohio’s post, reader Hillary Thuy Tran, from Da Nang, expressed her opinion: “I often go to Hoi An but have never heard of this. There must be a reason, because Hoi An authorities also create quite good conditions for people to do business in tourism. And with billions of dong, no one would ride a cyclo or row a boat. With that amount of money, they can do other, lighter business.”
Notably, although Minh Ohio's post did not clearly state who or which organization the money was paid to, many social media users re-shared the post with information speculating that this was a "bribe".
Speaking with Lao Dong, a representative of the Hoi An Cyclo and Boat Association said that the Cyclo Association currently has 100 members, operating in the old town, since 1998. There are currently 293 boat operators, managed by the Song Hoai Tourist Boat Association, formerly the Minh An Ward Boat Self-Management Team, established in 2017.
Members of the cyclo and boatman unions are all local people, from poor backgrounds, who have been given opportunities by the government and the Trade Union to earn a living. Over the years, they have actively contributed to building the image of “Hoi An, a friendly, hospitable people”.
On the evening of November 23, Mr. Nguyen Van Son - Chairman of Hoi An City People's Committee affirmed that the information "To have a cyclo driver or a boatman carrying tourists on Thu Bon River through Hoi An, people have to pay a bribe of nearly 2 billion VND", which is spreading on social networks, is fabricated.
The leaders of Hoi An City Police also confirmed that they have stepped in to verify and clarify. If the information is fabricated to attract views, it will be strictly handled according to the provisions of the law.
