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Key Events Activist Trịnh Bá Phương, Already in Prison, Faces New Trial in a Việt Nam Court; Vingroup Pursues Legal Action Against Dozens of Critics at Home and Abroad; Communist Party Sets Cap on Deputy Ministers as Leadership Shakeups Spread Across Việt Nam; Massive Losses Put EVN Under Audit Spotlight; Ex-National Assembly Deputy Chief Among Defendants in Thuận An Trial. Đà Nẵng Court Confirms Trial of Activist Trịnh Bá Phương Will be on Sept. 27, 2025 The People’s Court of Đà Nẵng has rescheduled the first-instance trial of land rights activist Trịnh Bá Phương to Sept. 27, 2025, Phương’s wife - Đỗ Thu - reported on her Facebook account.

Phương faces charges under Article 117 of Việt Nam’s Penal Code, which criminalizes the act of “making, storing, disseminating, or propagating” materials against the state.

According to Phương’s defense lawyer Luân Lê, who was permitted to visit him this week at An Điềm Prison in Quảng Nam Province, the defendant remains calm and coherent despite deteriorating health. Phương reportedly lost more than 10 kilograms after staging a 20-day hunger strike in November 2024, around the time prosecutors opened this second case against him.

The indictment in the new case is based on a banner allegedly found in Phương’s prison cell that contained two lines of text deemed hostile toward the Communist Party and the courts. The authorities cited the banner as evidence of violations under Article 117, invoking aggravating provisions that allow for harsher sentencing on grounds of “dangerous recidivism.”

Phương is already serving a 10-year prison sentence handed down by the Hà Nội People’s Court in 2021, also under Article 117, for his online commentary and reporting related to the Đồng Tâm land dispute.

Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have repeatedly criticized the use of Article 117 to suppress dissent, calling it overly broad and incompatible with international human rights standards.

His defense counsel has stated that Phương has requested access to case files in order to prepare his own defense under Việt Nam’s Criminal Procedure Code, though such rights have reportedly been restricted. In his previous trial, Phương delivered a detailed rebuttal to the prosecution’s indictment and closing arguments.

The Đà Nẵng court has confirmed that the trial will proceed on Sept. 27 at its Núi Thành District courthouse. Observers note that the case underscores the Vietnamese government’s continued reliance on national security provisions to prosecute high-profile activists, even while they are serving existing sentences.

Vingroup Files Charges Against 68 Organizations and Individuals for Allegedly Spreading “Fake News” In a move without precedent in Việt Nam, Vingroup announced that it has filed lawsuits against 68 domestic and international organizations and individuals for allegedly spreading false information about the conglomerate and its senior executives. Vingroup is Việt Nam’s largest private conglomerate, operating across multiple sectors.

According to a Vingroup press release, the alleged misinformation revolves around four main areas: the group’s financial health, product quality and origin, legal issues surrounding its products, and the personal details of its top leaders.

The company specifically rejected widespread rumors of impending bankruptcy tied to debts of up to 800 trillion đồng ($30 billion). Vingroup stated that its actual borrowing stood at roughly 283 trillion đồng, claiming this remains within safe levels under both Vietnamese and international standards.

However, its second-quarter 2025 financial report recorded more than 805 trillion đồng as “liabilities” under Section C, which included loans and financial leases as well as other short- and long-term obligations, advance payments from buyers, and additional payables.

Within 24 hours of Vingroup’s announcement, Vingroup also stated that over 50 social media accounts and online platforms reportedly removed or hid posts the company labeled as fabrications. Vingroup said many individuals had also issued public apologies and corrections, but confirmed it has been continuing to pursue legal action abroad against overseas-based critics.

Journalist Lê Trung Khoa of Thoibao.de disclosed that Vingroup has already filed a lawsuit against his Berlin-based Vietnamese-language outlet, though details of the legal documents received remain unclear.

Observers note that Việt Nam’s state-run media has largely echoed Vingroup’s official press release, with little independent reporting. Luật Khoa Magazine pointed out that many state outlets have in past years deleted articles and images deemed unfavorable to Vingroup.

As one of Việt Nam’s largest private conglomerates, Vingroup has a history of trying to use law enforcement against its critics. Some individuals have previously reported being questioned by police over their criticism of the company. Yet, there is no prior record of Vingroup initiating civil lawsuits against organizations or individuals, making this campaign a striking departure from normal.

The outcome of these lawsuits—especially those filed abroad—could set a significant precedent for how powerful Vietnamese corporations handle criticism at home and internationally.

Party Reshuffle Highlights Tightened Control Over State Apparatus The Politburo and Secretariat of the Communist Party of Việt Nam issued Conclusion No. 187-KL/TW on Aug. 29, imposing new limits on deputy-level leadership positions across ministries and agencies.

Under the directive, ministries or agencies formed from the merger of three entities may appoint no more than seven deputy ministers or equivalent positions. At the department and bureau level, the number of deputies must not exceed the number of deputy ministers at the higher level.

For agencies without prior regulations, the cap is set at five deputy ministers, three deputy directors-general, and deputy division heads not exceeding the number of deputies at the level above. In all cases, deputy positions must account for no more than 50% of an agency’s total staff.

The new personnel rule was announced alongside a sweeping wave of appointments. The Prime Minister formally assigned leadership roles to eight ministries and central agencies.

Notable figures include Lê Hoài Trung, appointed acting minister of Foreign Affairs; Vũ Hải Quân, named permanent deputy minister of Science and Technology; and Vũ Mạnh Hà, appointed permanent deputy minister of health.

Significant shifts were also announced on the local level. In Đà Nẵng, Phạm Đức Ấn was confirmed as chairman of the People’s Committee, while Lương Nguyễn Minh Triết became the city’s new party secretary. Former Đà Nẵng Party Secretary Nguyễn Văn Quảng was reassigned to Hà Nội as deputy inspector general of the government.

In Khánh Hòa Province, unusual resignations drew attention when both Trần Quốc Nam, chairman of the People’s Committee, and Phạm Văn Hậu, deputy party secretary, stepped down citing “personal reasons.” Both had held key positions in Ninh Thuận Province before assuming senior posts in Khánh Hòa. Trần Quốc Nam had only recently been appointed by the Politburo to head the provincial government for the 2021–2026 term.

The directive reflects the Party’s ongoing effort to tighten control over bureaucratic structures, streamline personnel, and curb the proliferation of deputy positions — an issue long seen as bloating the state apparatus. The timing, coinciding with simultaneous reshuffles in both central ministries and key localities, highlights the party’s assertive role in steering Việt Nam’s political and administrative leadership.

State Audit Launches 53-Day Review of EVN and EVNGENCO2 Amid Mounting Losses Việt Nam’s State Audit Office has launched a 53-day audit of the state-owned Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) and its subsidiary Power Generation Corporation 2 (EVNGENCO2), focusing on both asset valuation and the financial transition during EVNGENCO2’s privatization.

According to the announcement, auditors will reassess the fixed assets of three major hydropower plants—Hòa Bình, Trị An, and Ialy—and review the settlement of state capital from Jan. 1, 2019 to July 1, 2021, the period in which EVNGENCO2 shifted to a joint stock company.

The stated goals are to verify the accuracy and fairness of financial reports, assess compliance with laws on equitization and financial restructuring, and identify any misconduct or mismanagement for possible legal action.

The audit comes as EVN reported losses of nearly 44.8 trillion đồng ( USD 1.7 billion) by the end of 2024.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade subsequently proposed revising Decree 72/2025 to allow EVN to include its accumulated losses in electricity pricing — a move that sparked widespread public concern. Economists and government agencies have since pressed EVN for transparency.

EVN attributed its nearly 48 trillion đồng deficit to two main factors:

Costs excluded or insufficiently accounted for in past electricity price adjustments. Expenses from COVID-19 relief programs and the delivery of electricity to remote, border, and island regions. The audit takes place against a broader political backdrop. The Communist Party’s Politburo has recently ordered a restructuring of Việt Nam’s electricity sector, including measures to expand consumer choices in power suppliers. Analysts say this directive has increased pressure on EVN to improve financial accountability and operational efficiency.

As the audit unfolds, public and political scrutiny of EVN’s finances is expected to intensify, with findings potentially shaping future electricity pricing and the government’s approach to state-owned enterprise reform.

Former Senior National Assembly Official Among 29 Defendants Tried in Thuận An Group Corruption Case The People’s Court of Hanoi opened the first-instance trial of 29 defendants linked to alleged corruption and bid-rigging involving the Thuận An Group and several government agencies across Việt Nam.

Among the accused is Phạm Thái Hà, former deputy chief of the National Assembly Office, who faces a proposed sentence of 5–6 years in prison for “abusing position and power to influence others for personal gain.”

Also on trial is Lê Ô Pích, former director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and former vice chairman of the People’s Committee of Bắc Giang Province, who was recommended for 3–4 years in prison for abuse of power in public office.

The remaining 27 defendants—primarily former leaders and staff of Thuận An Group, as well as officials from project management boards in Tuyên Quang, Hanoi, Quảng Ninh, and the Vietnam Directorate for Roads—are charged with “violating bidding regulations, causing serious consequences.”

At the center of the case is Nguyễn Duy Hưng, former chairman of the Thuận An Group, who faces the heaviest proposed penalty of 10–11 years in prison. Prosecutors allege Hưng leveraged connections with senior officials, including Phạm Thái Hà, to manipulate the tendering process.

According to the indictment, Thuận An executives courted influential officials through private meals and meetings, securing favorable conditions to bid for and win contracts on infrastructure projects in multiple provinces and ministries. These practices allegedly enabled the group to dominate bidding processes and secure lucrative construction projects, leading to an estimated 120 billion đồng ($4.5 million) in losses to state assets.

The high-profile case has drawn significant attention, both for the scale of financial damage and the involvement of senior officials within state institutions. It also reflects ongoing anti-corruption efforts in Việt Nam, where prosecutors have increasingly targeted collusion between private corporations and government officials.

The trial is expected to continue in the coming weeks as the court examines evidence of bid manipulation, the extent of losses to the state budget, and the individual roles of each defendant.

Quick Takes: World Bank Cuts Vietnam GDP Forecast to 6.6% Due to New U.S. Tariffs Reuters reports that the World Bank has lowered its 2025 growth projection for Vietnam to 6.6%, down from 6.8%, citing the damaging effects of newly-imposed U.S. tariffs on Vietnamese exports. Vietnam’s export-oriented economy is particularly vulnerable as global demand softens and trade-policy uncertainty grows. The country’s target of 8.3-8.5% GDP growth now appears elusive. Looking ahead, the bank forecasts growth to slip further to 6.1% in 2026, recovering mildly to 6.5% in 2027, assuming a rebound in global trade and Vietnam’s sustained competitiveness in manufacturing.

Vietnam’s August Trade Falls Slightly with U.S. Tariffs in Effect Vietnam’s exports to the United States dropped 2% in August from July, falling to $13.9 billion, following the implementation of a 20% U.S. tariff on Vietnamese goods as of Aug. 7. At the same time, imports from China also dipped by 2% month-on-month. Despite these monthly losses, exports to the U.S. remained 18.33% higher than August 2024, and total exports for the first eight months rose 26.4% year-on-year to $99.05 billion.

Former SJC General Director Indicted in Major Embezzlement Case The Supreme People’s Procuracy has indicted 16 defendants in a sweeping corruption case at Saigon Jewelry Co. (SJC). Former General Director Lê Thúy Hằng has been identified as the ringleader, accused of orchestrating and directly overseeing the offenses. Prosecutors allege the scheme caused losses exceeding 95 billion đồng, with Hằng personally profiting by more than 73 billion đồng. Charges include embezzlement and abuse of power in public office. The case marks one of the most significant corruption prosecutions in Việt Nam’s gold and jewelry sector to date.

Government to Submit 47 Draft Laws to the National Assembly The Vietnamese government is preparing to present 112 reports and dossiers, including 47 draft laws and resolutions, to the 15th National Assembly at its 10th session. The legislative package aims to address existing “bottlenecks” in the legal framework and create conditions to accelerate socio-economic development. According to officials, the proposals will focus on refining governance, improving business regulations, and strengthening legal clarity across sectors. The submission underscores the government’s pledge to reform policy and streamline regulations as Việt Nam navigates mounting economic challenges and seeks to sustain growth momentum.

From Prison Cell to Courtroom: Việt Nam Pursues Second Case Against Trịnh Bá Phương; Vingroup Sues 68 Entities in Massive Crackdown on “Fake News”

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