The incidents have repeatedly occurred along national highway 24 through Mang Den Commune, where straight stretches lined with pine forests attract visitors seeking scenic backdrops.
On April 12, dozens of vehicles stopped along a one kilometre section near the Tran Kien intersection, with hundreds of tourists stepping onto the road to pose for photos. Some groups formed lines across the highway, forcing passing traffic to slow to avoid collisions.
Within 20 minutes, at least five groups were observed posing on the roadway, including one group of 16 people, some of them children, who remained in the middle of the road for more than 10 minutes.
Local resident Nguyen Thi Ha said she saw children being taken onto the road for photos, describing the situation as dangerous. While some people moved aside when vehicles approached, others continued posing.
Pham Van Thang, chairman of Mang Den Commune, said the area attracts large numbers of visitors, particularly on weekends and holidays, due to its cool climate and pine forest scenery.
Authorities have deployed patrols to warn tourists, but the behaviour often resumes once enforcement teams leave. Thang said inspections and enforcement would be strengthened to address the issue.
Mang Den, known for its unspoilt landscape and mild year round weather, welcomed nearly two million visitors in 2025, out of around five million tourists to Quang Ngai Province.
