The Secrets They Don’t Want You to Know: Vietnam’s Hidden Cameras Exposed
A range of miniature candid cameras are being openly sold to the public, raising serious concerns about privacy and illegal activities. A simple online search by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper journalists for ‘hidden cameras’ or ‘disguised cameras’ on social media platforms revealed numerous groups offering these invasive products. The journalists then made contact with a camera store based in Hanoi, where a staff member showcased an array of covert cameras disguised as everyday items such as sockets, lightbulbs, phone chargers, and pens. These miniature cameras are discreet and challenging to detect. However, users can easily connect them to their phones to view recorded content directly. The price of these devices varies depending on the image quality and the sophistication of the disguise, ranging from VND 1.2 million (US$47) to VND 1.6 million (US$62.4) each. According to the store employee, the most popular items are the cameras hidden in lightbulbs and sockets, which are easily