The District 1 police in Ho Chi Minh City have decided to deport a Frenchman and a New Zealander, aged 24 and 28 respectively, for painting graffiti on a local house. In addition to deportation, they have been fined VND25 million ($990) for unauthorized activities.

On July 22, a police patrol spotted the two men painting graffiti on the roller door of a house along Pho Duc Chinh Street. The authorities confiscated 23 paint cans and detained the men for questioning. It was found that the men were staying in two hotels located on Nguyen Thai Binh and Suong Nguyet Anh streets without registering for temporary residence. They had met on social media and decided to meet up in person to paint graffiti in public spaces and share the photos online.

Incidents of foreigners painting graffiti in downtown HCMC have been reported by local citizens. Last month, another New Zealander was fined and required to repaint the walls he had defaced.