On October 1 2019, China’s National Day, many Vietnamese activists were planning to organize peaceful demonstrations at the Chinese diplomatic offices in Ha Noi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. This was intended as a popular response against China’s escalated aggressive behavior in the South China Sea. However, large resources of public security forces were employed to silence the protests. The activists were watched at home, followed while in public, and even forced to return home, probably in an attempt to quell public demonstrations.