The authorities on Sunday removed dozens of Vietnamese, who gathered for an anti-China protest in central Hanoi as they tried to rally support for an international tribunal's ruling rejecting Beijing's claims in the South China Sea.
The protesters were bused away from around the landmark Hoan Kiem Lake even before they began their protest, reports the Guardian.
Heavy police presence was seen around the lake with cars briefly banned from around it.
The rally was organised by No-U group in Hanoi opposing Beijing's expansive claims in the South China Sea.
The move came after Hague-based permanent court of arbitration last week issued the ruling in a case initiated by the Philippines.
Vietnam's communist authorities had reportedly earlier also clamped down on such protests fearing they could stir dissent.
In last week's ruling, the UN tribunal said that China violated international maritime law, specifically the Philippines' maritime rights by building up artificial islands that destroyed coral reefs and by disrupting fishing and oil exploration.
The ruling was clearly rejected by Beijing.
