Hanoi - A Vietnamese government official has been hospitalized after opening a letter containing a unidentified white powder at his office in Ho Chi Minh City, an official said Wednesday. The contents of the letter are being tested by the military, according to Tran Thanh Binh, head of the southern office of Vietnam's central government.
Tran Van Tri, a public affairs' officer in charge of receiving complaints about officials' conduct, felt dizzy and vomited after opening a letter Tuesday morning at his office and was then taken to hospital.
Tri, a former official of the Ministry of Public Security, opened a letter and found a bag of grayish-white powder inside. He quickly put the bag back inside the envelope and went to wash his hands and face, according to Tien Phong online newspaper.
When washing his hands, Tri felt dizzy and nauseous, and was taken to Cho Ray Hospital, the newspaper said.
"He is better now but is still in the hospital," Binh said by telephone, without revealing any other details of the letter.
"The military is checking the power and hasn't confirmed what it is," Binh said.
