Australian tourist arrested after allegedly wrecking cafe in Da Nang, Vietnam, causing S$27,700 in damages

Vietnamese police have arrested an Australian man after he wrecked a cafe in central Da Nang in the early hours of May 30, causing 570 million Vietnamese Dong (S$27,631) in damages.

According to VN Express, the incident started on May 29, when the Australian man entered the Gé Cafe on Le Hong Phong Street.

He smashed coffee machines, decorations and other customers' belongings.

A ward official said the damage to the cafe was about 500 million Vietnamese Dong (S$24,238, while the estimated losses of five customers' destroyed belongings totalled 70 million Vietnamese Dong (S$3,393).

The official said that upon seeing the visitor cause a disturbance, customers ran outside without time to gather up their belongings, which were then destroyed.

Rampage

The Australian man had struck up a conversation with a Vietnamese man at a neighbouring table.

He then proceeded to take the Vietnamese man's phone and refused to return it, causing staff to call the police.

At around 12:10am on May 30, the man pulled off his shirt and kicked over tables and chairs, causing customers and staff to rush for the exit.

VN Express reported that the man used a chair to smash a coffee machine, grinder, brewing tools and antique decorative pieces to the floor.

Photos posted by the cafe showed its glass windows shattered.

When police arrived on the scene, the Australian fled to the floor above and held a man in a neck hold for about two minutes before police and bystanders rushed in and restrained him.

The incident lasted around 30 minutes, said the cafe's manager.

The cafe also announced it would close for several days to clear debris, repair and assist in investigations.

According to VN Express, the man remains in temporary detention for questioning and police investigations are ongoing.