The pistol along with three bullets inside was detected in the man’s luggage by the airport security camera system.

The security camera system at Noi Bai International Airport

The passenger from the northern province of Bac Giang showed the pistol use licence, but it had however expired.

He admitted his guilt and promised not to do it again.

Security handed over the pistol to the police to handle the case.

The man planned to take a Thailand Airways flight to Bangkok.

Under aviation laws, passengers are banned to take weapons and explosive ordnances, including gas pistols, on flights.

In Vietnam, any individual or organisation must be licensed for the use of weapons and explosive ordnances. Violators will be fined VND2-4 million (USD86.95-173.9) for using these without causing consequences.