Vietnamese authorities have intercepted more than 12 kilograms of suspected gold hidden on the bodies of four passengers arriving at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, highlighting ongoing efforts to curb illegal gold trafficking across the country’s borders.
Customs officials said the group had concealed the metal inside clothing and underwear in an attempt to bypass airport inspections.
The passengers had just arrived on a flight from Taiwan when authorities flagged them during screening.
Suspicious Behavior Triggers Inspection
According to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs, the discovery was made on March 3 after officials conducted risk analysis on arriving passengers.
Using a combination of:
customs officers identified four travelers whose movements raised suspicion.
Further searches revealed 23 pieces of yellow metal believed to be gold bars hidden on their bodies.
Gold Hidden in Clothing
Authorities said the smuggling attempt involved unusual concealment methods.
The breakdown included:
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Passenger 1: 10 gold pieces weighing about 5 kg, hidden inside a bra and underwear
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Passenger 2 & 3: 14 pieces totaling 4.6 kg, concealed in underwear
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Passenger 4: 7 pieces weighing 2.7 kg, hidden in clothing and worn on the body
In total, the group attempted to bring 12.3 kilograms (around 27 pounds) of suspected gold into Vietnam.
The metal is now being tested to confirm its composition and determine its market value.
Case Handed to Police for Investigation
The four passengers and the seized items have been transferred to the Hanoi Police Economic Crime Division for further investigation.
Authorities are now working to determine:
Gold Smuggling Under Increased Scrutiny
Vietnamese authorities have intensified efforts in recent months to combat illegal gold transportation and cross-border smuggling, particularly through airports.
Customs agencies say they are strengthening:
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Risk profiling of high-risk routes
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Passenger screening procedures
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Cooperation with airlines to monitor flight manifests
These measures come amid strong domestic demand for gold.
Gold Prices Remain Volatile
The interception comes as Vietnam’s gold market experiences sharp price fluctuations.
On the same day as the seizure, domestic SJC gold prices dropped roughly 4 million VND per tael, tracking a global decline.
The precious metal was trading at roughly:
High local prices compared with international markets have historically created incentives for smuggling gold into Vietnam.
Source: Vietnam Insider