At Noi Bai International Airport, over 1,000 surveillance cameras serve as silent guardians, ensuring the security and safety of passengers. Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of camera security staff works tirelessly to monitor every corner of the airport, helping travelers recover lost items and maintaining order.

Keeping watch: A demanding and meticulous job

Nguyen Manh Cuong, a member of the surveillance team under Noi Bai’s Mobile Security Unit, has spent 10 years in this role. Known for his sharp instincts and quick actions, Cuong has helped recover countless lost items for passengers.

Each shift lasts four hours, during which team members monitor between 100 and 200 cameras, depending on their assigned area. With over 1,000 “eyes” installed throughout the airport and only 26 staff in the surveillance team, the work demands not only technical expertise but also an exceptional memory of camera locations and coverage areas.

“You have to remember the position of every camera to quickly track and retrieve footage,” Cuong explained. “Imagine having to cover the entire airport with just our team - it’s a challenge that requires focus and experience.”

Beyond technical skills, surveillance officers need strong analytical thinking to anticipate potential incidents and devise effective responses.

State-of-the-art surveillance ensuring safety

The airport’s modern surveillance system allows staff to oversee all airport activities, from security checks and baggage monitoring to tracking suspicious movements.

According to an airport representative, the surveillance team plays a critical role in ensuring security:

"Every action, from monitoring passengers’ movements to resolving unusual incidents, requires a high level of concentration, responsibility, and quick decision-making."

In 2024 alone, Noi Bai’s security team directly assisted 383 passengers in recovering lost items and resolved 108 cases of “mistakenly taken” belongings. Most incidents were identified at security checkpoints or within restricted areas.

The case of the half-billion dong Rolex watch

One standout incident occurred on September 25, 2024, when a female passenger reported losing her Rolex watch, valued at 500 million VND (approximately $20,800), while dropping someone off at Terminal T1.

After stepping out of her car, she realized the watch had fallen off her wrist. Despite searching the area, she couldn’t find it and turned to airport security for help.

Nguyen Manh Cuong, along with his colleague Nguyen Hoang Anh, was on duty when the report came in. Initially, the team found no unusual activity on the surveillance cameras in the parking area.

“We hypothesized that the watch might have fallen through the gap between the traffic lane and the guardrail on the second floor, landing on the road below,” Cuong recalled.

By switching to cameras on the first floor, the team noticed a small dark object on the road beneath the suspected area. The time stamps aligned with the passenger’s report, confirming their theory.

A mobile security officer was dispatched to the location and successfully recovered the watch within 10 minutes of the initial report.

“We were as thrilled as the owner when we found it,” Cuong said. “After completing the necessary paperwork, the watch was returned to its rightful owner.”

In 2023, the team also helped recover 43 million VND that a passenger accidentally took during a currency exchange at Terminal T2. Through camera footage, they identified the person who took the money and coordinated with border police and the airline to retrieve it before the flight departed for Russia.

Advice for travelers

During the bustling year-end period, when Noi Bai sees hundreds of thousands of passengers daily, Cuong and his team work even harder to ensure security and assist with lost items.

He advises passengers to remain vigilant:

"Always keep an eye on your belongings and consider taking photos of your valuables for quick identification. Remember your travel routes and times to help staff locate lost items more efficiently."

N. Huyen