Key Events 

• Prison Health Crisis Raises Human Rights Concerns in Case of Cấn Thị Thêu;
• Political Prisoner Đặng Đăng Phước Placed in Solitary Confinement, Family Protests Harsh Disciplinary Measures;
• Cà Mau Principal’s 7-Year Sentence Over $420 Raises Alarm on Legal Proportionality in Vietnam;
• French-Era Building Demolished, Trees Cut as Hà Nội Prepares for 80th National Day;
• Vietnam Proposes Scrapping Market-Based Land Valuations, Reasserting State Control Over Pricing.

Health Concerns Mount for Imprisoned Land Rights Activist Cấn Thị Thêu after Emergency Hospitalization

On Aug. 1, 2025, the family of imprisoned land rights activist Cấn Thị Thêu visited her at her prison facility after receiving alarming news the night before that she had fallen seriously ill. The family rushed to prepare overnight and arrived at the detention center by 8 a.m.

They were allowed to meet with her after about an hour, and found her visibly exhausted and in pain. Thêu described experiencing acute abdominal pain starting on the night of July 27, which quickly escalated to a fever and chills by the following morning. By the afternoon of July 28, she had a fever of 38.2°C and was given only painkillers by prison staff.