A half-naked Australian tourist has been arrested after allegedly going on a violent 30-minute rampage through a café in Vietnam, smashing ceramics, hurling furniture through windows, snapping a MacBook in two and placing a customer in a chokehold — causing more than £20,000 worth of damage in scenes captured on video that have spread widely online.
The incident unfolded at Ge Cafe in the coastal city of Da Nang just after midnight on Saturday, reportedly triggered when the man allegedly took another customer’s phone following a brief exchange at a nearby table. When staff intervened and asked him to return it, the situation rapidly deteriorated.
According to police and footage of the confrontation, the tourist suddenly stood up, ripped off his shirt and issued a warning to the café’s customers. “You have 10 seconds to leave,” he shouted, before launching into a sustained and destructive assault on the venue. Using a chair as a weapon, he swept items from the counter, smashing ceramics, jars and a high-end coffee machine to the floor. He then began hurling furniture through windows and destroying personal belongings left behind by customers who fled — including a MacBook laptop which he allegedly pulled from a bag, snapped in half and threw through a shattered window.
Witnesses said he continued shouting throughout the ordeal, yelling phrases including “I know what you’re doing,” “anyone in this hotel, leave” and “I’m danger” as panicked diners scrambled to escape. Police allege he then chased customers who had taken refuge on the second floor, kicking down a door to reach them. Footage showed him appearing to place one customer in a chokehold for approximately two minutes before another diner stepped in to intervene.
The café owner told local outlet VN Express that the chaos lasted around 30 minutes, leaving the venue in ruins. Police arrived while the confrontation was still ongoing, with one customer reportedly fighting the man to free the person being restrained. Officers eventually detained the Australian and escorted him into the street in his underwear as shocked onlookers gathered outside.
Authorities say the total damage amounts to approximately 500 million Vietnamese dong — roughly $26,431 — covering destroyed equipment and customer property including phones and the laptop. An official said: “Seeing the visitor causing a disturbance, many customers ran outside without time to take their belongings, which were destroyed.” By Saturday afternoon, staff were clearing debris from the wrecked interior. The café is expected to remain closed for several days. The Australian man remains in temporary custody as police prepare charges.
