Vietnam authorities respond to AI-generated fake videos of cultural sites and public figures
Vietnamese police in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City responded to multiple incidents of AI-generated deepfake videos in January 2026, including one depicting a person riding a giant snake at a famous cultural landmark and others falsely claiming a public entertainer had been arrested. Authorities identified and warned the creators, emphasizing that Vietnam's new artificial intelligence law, effective March 2026, prohibits using AI to create fabricated content that deceives or manipulates the public.
What happened
On 25 December 2025, Hanoi police detected AI-generated video content posted under the Facebook account 'Truyền nhân Lạc Long Quân đây rồi' depicting a person riding a giant snake swimming on Hoan Kiem Lake, a famous Hanoi cultural symbol. The creator, identified as N.H.A (born 1976, residing in Thanh Xuan district), used a smartphone and AI software to composite his image onto the synthetic scene. N.H.A admitted to creating the video to attract 'likes' and views on social media.
In Ho Chi Minh City, police identified two individuals, T.T.H. and N.T.M.D., who created and shared AI-generated video content falsely claiming that entertainer MC Quyền Linh had been arrested and detained by Ho Chi Minh City police. Technical analysis confirmed the content was entirely false, created using AI technology with fabricated images and information designed to mislead the public.
Reported impact
The Hanoi video generated significant public attention on social networks with widespread debate about its authenticity. N.H.A acknowledged that the video contained misleading information with potential to negatively affect the image of Hanoi's historical, cultural and scenic landmarks.
The false content about MC Quyền Linh seriously violated his legal rights and personal dignity, caused information disorder, and negatively affected a healthy information environment on the internet. The fabricated content drew substantial public attention and caused reputational harm to the individual named.
Index analysis
Vietnam's National Assembly passed the Law on Artificial Intelligence on 10 December 2025, the country's first comprehensive AI framework legislation with 8 chapters and 35 articles, effective from 1 March 2026. Article 7, Section 2, Point B of the law explicitly prohibits 'using counterfeit or simulated elements of persons or real events to deceive or intentionally and systematically manipulate human perception and behavior, causing serious harm to human rights and legitimate interests.'
Police emphasized that the incidents serve as a warning to the public about identifying and exercising caution with AI-generated content containing fabricated or distorted information. Authorities noted that AI technology is rapidly developing, easily accessible, and if misused can become a tool for creating highly sophisticated counterfeit images, video and audio that are difficult to distinguish from authentic content.
Governance controls
Police urged the public not to share, comment on or spread unverified information from AI sources to limit negative impacts on society and the image of historical landmarks. Authorities recommended that people not use AI technology to create, edit or distribute false information, particularly actions impersonating others to frame, defraud, violate public rights or affect national security.
N.H.A committed not to repeat similar behaviour in the future. Police in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City summoned and warned the individuals involved and took enforcement action against them.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.