Nguyen Thi Mai often sells fruit along Nha Trang beach (Photo: Le Hoai).
A fruit vendor who became an internet sensation for singing the names of fruits in English has signed a pledge not to sell in a restricted area of Nha Trang beach after local authorities confiscated her mobile stall.
Nguyen Khac Thinh, head of the Economic, Infrastructure and Urban Development Division of Nha Trang Ward, Khanh Hoa Province, said on July 25 that officials had seized the fruit basket carried by Nguyen Thi Mai for selling in an area where street vending is prohibited.
After inviting Mai to meet with local officials, authorities asked her to sign a written commitment not to sell on the section of beach covered by the ban and not to solicit tourists.
"The local authority only issued a warning and did not impose a fine. All of her goods have been returned," Thinh said.
He said the ward has long prohibited street vending along the beachfront to maintain order in commercial activities.
Authorities confiscate Mai's street vending goods (Photo: Grab from clip).
According to Thinh, businesses are required to comply with regulations including displaying prices and meeting food safety standards. Allowing unregulated street trading could affect the city's appearance, disrupt public order and increase the risk of overcharging or aggressive solicitation of tourists.
He said local authorities plan to develop night markets and designated food vending areas where street vendors and other small traders can operate legally while making the sector easier to regulate.
Mai became well known after videos showed her walking along Nha Trang beach selling fruit while singing the names of different fruits in English, including "mango, pineapple, banana, watermelon".
The recording was later remixed into a full song by South African musician David Scott, better known by his stage name The Kiffness, attracting millions of views on social media and introducing both Mai and Nha Trang to a global audience.
An official from the Nha Trang-Khanh Hoa Tourism Association said that, from the perspective of urban management, the city does not encourage street vending along the beachfront because of concerns over unregulated pricing and consumer protection.
However, the official added that vendors such as Mai have also become part of Nha Trang's distinctive character and have helped promote the city's friendly image to international visitors.
The official said a suitable regulatory framework should allow street vendors to operate under clear rules, ensuring transparent pricing while preserving the tourism value they bring.
