Police in Cam Lo Commune said that on January 6, 2026, they helped Bounna Phanthavilay retrieve the bag, which contained cash and important documents.
Phanthavilay only realised the loss while completing exit procedures at the Lao Bao International Border Gate to return home and immediately sought help from local authorities.
Based on his description, police quickly identified the eatery where the bag had been left and coordinated its recovery and return.
After receiving his belongings, Phanthavilay thanked local police in a handwritten note, saying the incident left him with a positive impression of Vietnam and its people and that he plans to return in the near future.