Concerns Mount Over Alleged Chinese Involvement in Death of Tibetan Leader

The Vietnamese Magazine -

Key Events

  • Death of Prominent Tibetan Lama in Vietnam Sparks Calls for Transparency 
  • U.S. and Vietnam Initiate Trade Talks as 46% Tariff Paused
  • Vietnam's Public Security Ministry Proposes Eliminating Prosecutors’ Investigative Authority
  • Vietnamese Monk's Path to India Advances with Arrival in Sri Lanka

Tibetan Lama's Mysterious Death in Vietnam Raises International Alarm

The recent death of Tibetan spiritual leader Humkar Dorje Rinpoche in Hồ Chí Minh City has sparked international concern and calls for a thorough investigation. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged the Vietnamese government to conduct a credible and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the 56-year-old lama's demise on March 29.

Humkar Dorje, head of the Lung Ngon Monastery in Qinghai Province, China, was renowned for his educational initiatives, including founding a vocational school and over 10 other institutions promoting Tibetan language and culture. His disappearance in late 2024, following reported interrogations by Chinese authorities, had already raised alarms among his followers, particularly in India.​

According to HRW, there are allegations that the Vietnamese police, in coordination with China's Ministry of State Security, detained Humkar Dorje on March 25. He reportedly died four days later. While his monastery claimed he died from illness during a retreat, HRW suggests this statement may have been made under duress, given China's tight control over Tibetan religious institutions.​

Maya Wang, HRW's associate China director, stated, "The Vietnamese authorities should credibly and impartially investigate these claims and take appropriate action, including by providing autopsy findings to Humkar Dorje’s family."​

The situation underscores growing concerns about transnational repression and the safety of Tibetan activists and leaders beyond China's borders.​

U.S. and Vietnam Begin Trade Negotiations Following Tariff Suspension

Reuters reports that the United States and Vietnam have agreed to commence discussions on a bilateral trade agreement after the U.S. paused the implementation of a proposed 46% tariff on Vietnamese imports. This development follows appeals from business groups and diplomatic engagements aimed at preventing potential economic disruption.​

The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the American Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi had expressed concerns over the steep tariffs, labeling it "shockingly high" and cautioning that it could adversely affect both economies in a joint letter to the U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Both of them advocated for lower tariffs to support economic growth and bilateral trade relations.​

Vietnam, a significant manufacturing hub for Western companies, recorded a trade surplus exceeding $123 billion with the U.S. last year. In response to the tariff threat, Vietnam has taken steps to address trade imbalances, including reducing certain duties and committing to increased imports of American goods such as aircraft and agricultural products.​

Following a recent meeting between Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington, both nations agreed to initiate trade talks focusing on eliminating non-tariff barriers and enhancing economic cooperation. Although the 46% tariff has been suspended, a 10% general duty on most U.S. imports remains in effect.

In a separate development, two Vietnamese airlines announced significant financing deals with U.S. firms to support their expansion plans. Budget carrier Vietjet secured a $300 million agreement with AV AirFinance - a loan servicer based in Dublin, Ireland - to expand orders with Boeing, while Vietnam Airlines signed a non-binding agreement with Citibank for over $560 million. These deals are seen as efforts to balance trade relations and demonstrate Vietnam's commitment to strengthening economic ties with the U.S.​

As negotiations progress, both countries aim to reach a mutually beneficial agreement that addresses trade disparities and fosters a stable economic partnership.​

Luật Khoa Magazine reports that Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security has proposed to dissolve the Investigative Agency under the Supreme People’s Procuracy as part of broader amendments to the Criminal Code and the Law on the Organization of Criminal Investigation Agencies.

The ministry argued that the Supreme People’s Procuracy currently holds overlapping powers—as both a prosecutorial and investigative body—which could undermine objectivity and create functional conflicts during the legal process. To avoid such potential bias, the ministry recommended ending the agency’s investigative authority.

However, the Supreme People’s Procuracy firmly opposed the proposal, insisting on preserving its internal Investigative Agency. It emphasized the agency’s critical role in independently handling judicial misconduct, particularly in cases involving law enforcement officials. If the agency were merged into the Ministry of Public Security or the Ministry of National Defense, it argued, impartiality in such sensitive cases could be compromised.

In addition to the institutional restructuring, the Public Security Ministry also proposed major reforms to Vietnam’s penal code. These include the introduction of life sentences without the possibility of parole for 14 severe crimes, such as treason, terrorism, espionage, murder, and serious drug offenses.

Simultaneously, the ministry recommended abolishing the death penalty for eight offenses, including some previously categorized as “especially serious,” such as subversive activities, espionage, destruction of state infrastructure, and drug trafficking.

Notably, the crime of “undermining peace and launching aggressive war” is also among those proposed for removal from death penalty  sentencing.

For corruption-related crimes such as embezzlement and bribery, the ministry proposed allowing offenders to escape capital punishment if they voluntarily return at least 75% of the misappropriated assets, cooperate with authorities, or render significant contributions to the state.

These sweeping proposals have sparked robust debate within Vietnam’s legal and political circles, highlighting tensions between institutional reform, accountability, and human rights considerations.

After 120 Days, Monk Thích Minh Tuệ's Reaches Sri Lanka

RFA Vietnamese reported that on April 10, Vietnamese monk Thích Minh Tuệ and his group of 34 monks arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka, marking a significant milestone in their pilgrimage towards India. The group departed from Changi Airport in Singapore at 8:10 PM local time and landed in Colombo at 9:30 PM. ​

Prior to their arrival in Sri Lanka, the monks spent eight days walking on Batam Island, Indonesia, and had a brief stay in Singapore, where they received support from the local Vietnamese community. ​

Thích Minh Tuệ, not officially recognized by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, began his journey from Vietnam on December 12, 2024, with the aspiration to reach India on foot. However, after being denied entry into Myanmar in March 2025, the group adjusted their plans, opting for alternative routes to continue their pilgrimage. ​

Upon arrival in Sri Lanka, the monks traveled by bus to a local temple to rest. Plans are underway for the group to cross the Palk Strait by ferry to India, where arrangements have been made with a sponsoring temple to facilitate their entry and stay. ​

Specific details regarding the group's itinerary in Sri Lanka and the exact date of their arrival in India have not yet been disclosed.​

Quick Takes:

Former Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình Faces Party Disciplinary Action

On April 4, Vietnam’s Politburo announced disciplinary measures against former Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình for “serious violations” of party and state regulations. Although specific allegations were not disclosed, the Politburo cited breaches related to his assigned duties, violated anti-corruption responsibilities, and party conduct rules. Bình, who served from 2016 to 2021 and retired in July 2021, had previously received a formal warning from the Politburo in December 2024. This marks another high-profile move in the arty’s ongoing internal accountability campaign.

Vietnam: 1.35 Million Youth Out of Work and School

In the first quarter of 2025, Vietnam reported that 10.4% of its youth aged 15–24—approximately 1.35 million individuals—were neither employed nor engaged in education or training. This figure marks an increase of 84,400 compared to the previous quarter, though it reflects a decrease of 66,700 year-over-year. The youth unemployment rate stands at 7.93%, with higher rates observed among young women and rural populations. These statistics highlight ongoing challenges in integrating young people into the workforce and education systems.

Vietnam Insight: Learn more about Vietnam

Trump’s Tariffs Won’t Change the Trajectory of Vietnam’s Foreign Policy

The Diplomat/Khang Vu/April 7

“In a year that the United States and Vietnam will celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic normalization, U.S. President Donald Trump poured cold water on the relationship by slapping a 46 percent ‘reciprocal tariff’ on Vietnamese exports to the United States. The imposition of tariffs came after many Vietnamese efforts to engage with the Trump administration on the issue of trade, including unilaterally lowering tariffs on U.S. imports and granting Elon Musk’s Starlink permission to operate in Vietnam. It also came after the Joe Biden administration refused to lift Vietnam’s ‘Non-Market Economy’ status last August.​

Vietnam is reasonably adopting the same playbook as it did in 1976 and 1977 – doubling down on its multilateral foreign policy in order to minimize the negative impact of economic punishment from its major partners. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized how the country’s multilateral foreign policy can turn this challenge into opportunity by allowing Vietnam to diversify “products, markets, and supply chains.” This explains why Vietnam was quick to reach out to the United States and attempt to negotiate a tariff reduction, despite many signals from the Trump administration that the tariffs are here to stay. Vietnam’s multilateral foreign policy guides its economic response to the tariffs, not vice versa.​”