Amidst mounting public scrutiny over the Gia Bình Airport megaproject, authorities in Bắc Ninh Province are deploying extreme measures—including door-to-door visits and preemptive written pledges—to control the narrative.
The Latest: After dozens of people were penalized for allegedly spreading “fake news” about the Gia Bình Airport Project, the police of Bắc Ninh Province have stepped up efforts to police online information.
- Authorities are now “visiting homes to record every opinion” and are requiring even those “at risk of violating the law” to sign written pledges that promise strict compliance with legal regulations.
- Additionally, on July 16, Bắc Ninh Provincial Police announced that through intensified monitoring, they had “handled” an individual accused of spreading “fake news” about the airport project.
The Person of Interest: In a report aired by Bắc Ninh Radio and Television, the station blurred the handled individual’s face. Wearing a shirt bearing the words “Nội thất Thành Trung,” the person stated:
“I recently livestreamed a video on social media. Because I did not fully understand the law, I failed to comply with legal regulations, allowing others to comment and spread false information, creating public concern and affecting the Gia Bình International Airport construction project. I sincerely hope others will not make the same mistake.”
The Details: Bắc Ninh police said that, through their “on-the-ground public outreach,” most affected households had “complied with and supported the Party’s policies.” However, they acknowledged that a small number of residents “still have concerns and aspirations.”
- Police officers have “visited residents’ homes, recorded their opinions,” and “reported them to higher authorities and competent agencies” so that responses could be provided “as soon as possible and in the most satisfactory manner” to reassure the public.
- In addition to these visits, police are expanding propaganda efforts across digital platforms.
Luật Khoa Magazine has been unable to independently verify the specific conduct allegedly constituting the violations.
- When Luật Khoa Magazine contacted Bắc Ninh Provincial Police seeking clarification, an officer declined to answer, stating that inquiries had to be submitted in writing to the agency’s headquarters because the information was “a state secret.”
- Furthermore, when Luật Khoa Magazine contacted Nội thất Thành Trung, a company representative said none of its employees had been summoned by the police.
The Background: Since construction on the Gia Bình Airport began in September 2025, dozens of individuals have reportedly been “educated,” warned, or administratively sanctioned for allegedly spreading “fake news” about the project, according to several cases compiled by Luật Khoa Magazine from state media reports.
To achieve the dual goals of “ensuring security” and “keeping the project on schedule,” Bắc Ninh Province—operating under the direction of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS)—established the Steering Committee for Security and Public Order at the Gia Bình Airport Project in December 2025.
- Among the committee’s key responsibilities is the prevention of articles and online comments deemed “negative” or capable of “affecting public opinion and communication efforts” related to land clearance for the project.
The Megaproject: Gia Bình International Airport is one of the fastest-built airport projects in Việt Nam, despite receiving investment approval only in mid-December 2025.
- Managed by the MPS, the project is divided into two construction phases (2025–2030 and 2031–2050), with the first two years focused on facilities for the 2027 APEC summit.
- The project will require the acquisition of nearly 1,960 hectares (about 4,844 acres) of land, affecting approximately 7,100 households and 118 organizations. Around 5,800 households are expected to be resettled.
- The project carries a total investment of approximately 196.378 trillion đồng (about US$7.5 billion) and is being developed by Masterise.
Hoàng Nam wrote this article in Vietnamese and published it in Luật Khoa Magazine on July 22, 2026. The Vietnamese Magazine has the copyrights to the English translation.
