Japanese passenger caught with undeclared gold at Vietnam airport

The passenger, whose identity was not disclosed, was checking in for a flight from Hanoi to Narita when customs officers found seven gold statues, weighing nearly 5 kg in total, in his baggage.

According to officials, the passenger said the gold statues were worth 16.5 million yen (US$163,000) in total.

Noi Bai airport customs have seized the gold statues for investigation.

According to existing regulations, all travellers entering of leaving Vietnam with 300 grams of gold or more in their possession must declare the gold to customs.