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Vice President's Vietnam Trip Delayed After Mystery Illness Hits Hanoi

U.S. diplomats report an 'unexplained health incident'

Kamala Harris
Vice President Kamala Harris / Getty Images
August 24, 2021

Vice President Kamala Harris's trip to Vietnam was delayed Tuesday after U.S. diplomats reported an "unexplained health incident" that could be tied to a series of bizarre attacks on American personnel serving abroad.

Harris's trip to Hanoi, part of a three-day tour in the region, was delayed for three hours over what American officials would only describe as an "anomalous health incident," according to Reuters.

The United States uses that term to describe what has become known as the Havana Syndrome, a mysterious brain illness that has in recent months hit hundreds of American diplomats and CIA operatives. The illness is believed to be tied to a Russian spy operation that has targeted Americans across the globe. While the United States has said little about the Havana Syndrome's origins, the illness is likely caused by stealth attacks with directed energy beams.

"The vice president's office was made aware of a report of a recent possible anomalous health incident in Hanoi, Vietnam," the U.S. embassy said in a Tuesday statement. "After careful assessment, the decision was made to continue with the vice president's trip."

When pressed about the delay, Harris spokeswoman Symone Sanders told reporters traveling with the vice president, "You saw her get onto the plane. She is well, all is fine."

Sanders declined to answer further questions about the situation. "This has nothing to do with the vice president's health," she said when asked about the delay.