Disturbing Video Shows 15-Year-Old's Attack at Vietnam School; Five Students Wounded, Police Say

Five students were wounded when a 15-year-old male pupil used a weapon to attack classmates at Thạnh An Secondary and High School in Ho Chi Minh City, police and education officials said. All of the injured pupils were taken to hospital for emergency treatment and are in a stable condition while continuing to be monitored, authorities said.

Ho Chi Minh City Police said it received a report of the incident on 4 September and released details of its preliminary inquiries on 7 September 2026. Officers are continuing to collect evidence and establish the circumstances, cause and full sequence of events.

Police have asked the public not to speculate or share unverified information, images or personal details concerning the students involved. Authorities have urged people to follow official updates as the inquiry continues.

Ho Chi Minh City School Inquiry

Police said officers from Thạnh An commune and school security staff restrained the student after the incident, before coordinating with the school and local authorities to take the five injured pupils for emergency treatment. The students were taken to a medical facility, police said.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training identified the location as Thạnh An Secondary and High School. It said the incident occurred at about 6.35am on 4 September, before lessons began.

Education officials said a Year 7 student used a sharp object in the student toilet area, injuring five other pupils. Police have separately described the object only as a weapon and said they are continuing to establish the circumstances of the incident.

The Ho Chi Minh City Police Directorate has tasked its PC01 Department with leading the investigation alongside Thạnh An Commune Police and specialist units. Authorities have not released identifying details about the children and have urged the public not to share unverified information or images as the inquiry continues.

Preliminary Police Findings

Police said preliminary inquiries indicated that the student had previously been examined and treated at hospital. He had been diagnosed with 'severe stress reaction and adjustment disorder – mixed behavioural and emotional disorders', police said.

Authorities also said he had recently shown signs of unstable psychological and emotional states during his life and studies.

Those statements form part of the preliminary police account, and the investigation has not reached a final conclusion on motive or legal responsibility.

Police said the student had participated in, and accessed, negative content from a group on a foreign social-media platform.

In the police account, authorities said the material influenced his perceptions and prompted him to learn how to carry out the behaviour before attacking other students.

The authorities have not named the platform or group in the information released publicly. The police inquiry remains ongoing, and the official account does not provide further detail about the content referred to.

Police Appeal to Parents

The police department advised parents to pay closer attention to, manage and support their children's use of the internet and social media. It also urged families to monitor children's psychological development, relationships and the content they access online.

Parents who find that children are accessing negative, violent or provocative content, or showing signs of psychological instability, should discuss the issue with them and coordinate with schools and relevant authorities for timely support and prevention measures, police said.

The Department of Education and Training said all the students involved are minors and require protection of their privacy, honour, images and mental health.

It also instructed schools to strengthen patrols and surveillance in areas including school gates, corridors, staircases and toilets, and to take steps to prevent sharp objects, weapons and other dangerous items being brought on to school grounds.