Triệu Thị Tâm detained in Ho Chi Minh City over child abuse at Lá Xanh kindergarten

Social‑media videos posted on Facebook and TikTok on 6 August showed a woman using a rubber band to strike the feet of a boy and a girl and hitting a girl’s head at a private kindergarten. Police investigations identified the woman as 55‑year‑old nanny Triệu Thị Tâm, born 1971, normally residing in Cần Thơ and living in Thuận Giao, Ho Chi Minh City. The abuse took place at the Lá Xanh kindergarten, 1/33B Khu phố Hòa Lân, Thuận Giao ward.

Ho Chi Minh City police placed Triệu Thị Tâm in emergency custody on 8 August while the case is investigated. The school was temporarily closed to cooperate with authorities. The city’s Department of Education and Training announced it will inspect all kindergartens in the city and enforce stricter safety standards. The municipal People’s Committee ordered a review of the school’s licence and possible suspension of its operation. The incident is being examined under criminal provisions on assault and child abuse.