Russian influencer banned from Vietnam for stunt videos
AM730 · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A Russian influencer, Yulia Nikitina, has been given a lifetime ban from entering Vietnam after a court in the coastal resort city of Nha Trang found her responsible for dangerous riding and sexually provocative conduct on public roads . The 35-year-old was accused of carrying out three similar incidents between January and June 2025, filming herself in revealing clothing while performing poses on a motorcycle and then uploading the clips to social media . She was also fined 30 million Vietnamese dong, or about HK$9,100, and authorities confiscated the iPhone 16 and motorcycle used to make the videos . In court, Nikitina apologised and said Vietnam was her “second home”, but local criticism focused on road safety and public decency .
Key Points
- The incident took place on a road in Nha Trang, a Vietnamese holiday destination that has become popular with Russian tourists since the Russia-Ukraine war began .
- Nikitina was described as wearing an ultra-short skirt, lying forward on the motorcycle, and lifting her right leg into a “scorpion” pose .
- The footage showed her exposing her buttocks and underwear, conduct authorities treated as sexually provocative and linked to dangerous driving on public roads .
- Prosecutors said she allegedly committed three similar offences between January and June 2025, and officials initially said the case could carry up to seven years’ imprisonment .
- Vietnamese media said she was chasing online traffic, while Vietnamese internet users criticised her as reckless, offensive and disrespectful .
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong travellers, the case is a reminder that conduct filmed for social media can trigger severe legal penalties overseas, especially where road safety and public behaviour are strictly enforced . It also underlines that tourist hotspots in Southeast Asia may respond harshly when online stunts are seen as endangering others or insulting local norms .