Dak Lak authorities clarify viral video of car compacting asphalt

Authorities in Ea Wer Commune, Dak Lak, have clarified a viral TikTok video that appeared to show a passenger car being used to compact asphalt on a newly constructed road. The video sparked public concern regarding construction quality and procedures.

Following an emergency meeting, local officials determined that the vehicle was not part of the construction crew. The driver, Nguyen Duc Oai, a local resident whose family operates a business on the road, stated he was driving his personal car back and forth over the surface to make the area in front of his home look better. He noted that he acted after seeing packaging for the Carboncor cold asphalt material which suggested the surface would look “better when in circulation.”

The construction unit reported that the asphalt paving was completed on October 1, and per manufacturer guidelines, vehicles were permitted to use the road 4 to 8 hours after application. The driver also noted that the person filming the video placed a “construction in progress” sign in the middle of the road during the recording.