Three Vietnamese nationals were arrested on Wednesday afternoon in Phnom Penh’s Russei Keo district after busking for money during the Khmer New Year holiday.

The trio had crossed the border illegally and asked for money from villagers on the roadside while they performed traditional costumed dances in the district’s Chraing Chamreh II commune, local police official Seang Kimchheang said yesterday.

“They raised money from the villagers along the road and tied the Cambodian flag around their drum.

It was unacceptable,” he said.

District police officials could not be reached for comment yesterday on whether the dancers would be charged in court.