At least 66 people were admitted to hospitals and clinics between Dec. 19 and 21 after experiencing symptoms including severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and fever. Many patients required emergency treatment, according to local health officials.
Ba Ria General Hospital confirmed it received dozens of cases on Dec. 22, including several severe patients who are still under medical care. Most patients have since stabilized, with some already discharged.
One patient, Duong Thi Khanh, said she bought six banh mi from Ngoc Ha bakery on the evening of Dec. 19. By the next morning, all six family members had developed severe symptoms and were rushed to hospital. As of Dec. 22, she and her son were still suffering from abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Another patient, Le Thi Thao Vy, said she fell ill later the same day after eating banh mi for breakfast, developing abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever. She was hospitalized after self-medication failed to improve her condition.
Local authorities said all patients shared a common exposure: eating banh mi purchased from Ngoc Ha bakery. The business operates two outlets in Phu My Ward, formerly part of Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province, and sells an estimated 800 loaves per day.
Inspections found the bakery lacked a valid food safety certificate, food safety training documentation and health examination records for staff. Several ingredients, including bread and fresh vegetables, were sourced without purchase contracts, officials said.
Both outlets have been temporarily shut down.
The Phu My Ward administration said it has requested support from Ho Chi Minh City’s food safety authorities to collect samples and determine the exact cause of the suspected poisoning.
The incident comes amid a series of recent food poisoning cases linked to banh mi across Vietnam. In early November, more than 300 people in Ho Chi Minh City were hospitalized due to Salmonella-contaminated pate, while in mid-December, over 200 people in Quang Ngai Province in central Vietnam fell ill after eating banh mi contaminated with Salmonella found in processed meat and vegetables.
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