Beggars still rampant in HCM City despite crackdown

Beggars are still seen on many streets in HCM City even though the project to gather homeless people has been going on for a week.

Many people were still seen pretending to be disabled people and beg for money along Truong Trinh road in Tan Phu District on January 4.

At Tay Thanh – Truong Chinh intersection, one pregnant woman, Truong Ngoc Phuong, 25, was standing for hours to beg for money from passers-by. Phuong then moved to Phan Huy Ich – Truong Trinh intersection to continue her job.

Phuong was recently reported by some media agencies to be a drug addict. She often disguised herself as a pregnant woman and begged for money to buy drug. She moves very often to different places including Binh Thanh District, Mien Tay bus station, Districts 6, 8, 11 and Go Vap District. However, Phuong was still found there on January 4 cheating people without being caught.

 

Phuong begging for money on January 4.

Several disabled beggars are also seen at Cong Hoa – Truong Chinh intersection. A homeless man has been seen begging for money at Nguyen Van Qua – To Ky interchange in District 12 for around one month but there's yet any action from local authorities.

 

A male beggar at Cong Hoa – Truong Chinh interaction

 

Homeless people sleep along Quang Trung Road

Roads like Chau Van Liem, Nguyen Trai, and Le Dai Hanh are considered “paradise of beggars” who often gather in groups with dozens of members for open operations despite crackdown by the municipal government.