In February 2025, Vietnamese authorities uncovered a sophisticated gold smuggling operation that transported over 310kg of gold (valued at more than 454 billion VND) from Laos into Vietnam through the Lao Bao border gate. Led by Nguyen Thi Hoa, the smuggling ring utilised two primary methods: initially having Lao drivers deliver 5-10kg shipments directly to Hoa's residence, and later recruiting family members who exploited border resident policies allowing passage with only ID cards. These couriers would travel to Vientiane to receive gold from a Laotian supplier named Thoong Nha, concealing 1kg bars strapped to their abdomens or hidden in belt areas while purchasing ordinary items like milk, water, and noodles as cover during border crossings. Each courier earned 200,000 VND per smuggling trip, with the contraband gold ultimately distributed to six gold shops in Hanoi whose owners had placed advance orders with Hoa. The operation was dismantled in June 2023 when police conducted raids across 29 locations, seizing gold bars, over 8.4 billion VND, and US$4.2 million, while also apprehending smugglers in the act of delivering 21kg of gold to Hanoi retailers.