Key Events
- CPJ Report Highlights Vietnam’s Role in Asia’s Journalist Crackdown
- Human Rights Watch: Vietnam’s Repression Deepens Under General Secretary To Lam
- Vietnam’s Police Pursue Social Media User for Decree 168 Criticism
- Vietnam Uses Article 331 to Detain Citizens Over Facebook Posts
- Vietnamese Activists in Czech Republic Call for Focus on Human Rights During Diplomatic Visit
CPJ Reports Vietnam Among Asia’s Worst Jailers of Journalists in 2024
Asia continues to be the most perilous region for journalists in the world, accounting for over 30% of the world’s imprisoned media workers in 2024. Of the 111 journalists jailed in the region, Vietnam holds 16 journalists behind bars. This places the country alongside Iran and Eritrea as the seventh-worst jailer globally, further highlighting the region’s troubling landscape for press freedom.
China topped the list in Asia with 50 journalists imprisoned, followed by Myanmar’s 35. Vietnam’s tally of 16 represents a significant share, underscoring the state’s persistent crackdown on independent reporting and dissenting voices.
Three of these imprisonments occurred in 2024 alone. Journalists Nguyen Vu Binh and Nguyen Chi Tuyen received seven and five-year sentences respectively for alleged propaganda activities against the state. Truong Huy San, was placed in pre-trial detention for publishing commentary critical of prominent leaders, including the late Communist Party Chief Nguyen Phu Trong and former President To Lam.
The imprisonment of journalists across Asia reflects a concerning erosion of press freedoms, with governments increasingly targeting media workers who challenge state narratives. In Vietnam, the state’s actions against journalists like Nguyen Vu Binh, Nguyen Chi Tuyen, and Truong Huy San reveal a broader campaign to silence dissent and maintain stringent control over public discourse.
New HRW Report Exposes Vietnam’s Repressive Policies Under General Secretary To Lam
The ascent of General Secretary To Lam following a mid-2024 political shake-up in Vietnam has brought no relief to the country’s entrenched repression of human rights, according to Human Rights Watch’s World Report 2025.
Under To Lam’s leadership, the Vietnamese government continues to stifle civil and political freedoms, prohibiting independent rights groups, labor unions, media, religious organizations, and all entities outside its control.
In its 35th annual World Report, spanning 546 pages, Human Rights Watch evaluated human rights conditions in over 100 countries. In the introductory essay, Executive Director Tirana Hassan highlighted a troubling global trend: governments worldwide are suppressing dissent, wrongfully imprisoning activists and journalists, and employing violent tactics against civilians.
In the more than 70 national elections in 2024, many authoritarian regimes gained ground, bolstered by discriminatory rhetoric and repressive policies.
“Secretary General To Lam’s rise to leadership has done nothing to limit the Vietnamese government’s severe and systematic repression of civil and political rights,” said Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “International donors and Vietnam’s trade partners interested in seeing the government carry out reforms should speak out against its abysmal rights record.”
Human Rights Watch called for an immediate end to Vietnam’s systemic human rights abuses and demanded the release of all prisoners detained for exercising their fundamental rights. The report urged Vietnam’s international trade partners and donors to leverage their influence to press the government to respect civil and political freedoms.
Controversial Traffic Decree 168 Triggers Police Probe Into Facebook Posts
Hanoi authorities are investigating Dang Hoang Ha, a resident of Hoang Mai District, for allegedly spreading misinformation about Decree 168/2024/ND-CP through social media.
The decree, which took effect on January 1, 2025, imposes stricter penalties for traffic violations, including significant fines and point deductions from driver licenses.
According to the police, Ha used his Facebook account to post images and videos containing false information about the decree, including provocative claims about its enforcement. Officials allege these posts were intended to create public unrest. Investigators from multiple agencies, including the Ministry of Public Security, have coordinated efforts to investigate the claims and gather evidence.
The authorities have confiscated several documents related to the case and reported that Ha has admitted to publishing the misinformation. A video shared by the Ministry of Public Security shows Ha cooperating with investigators, expressing regret, and agreeing to delete the controversial posts. However, human rights organizations and activists have criticized the government’s handling of the case, viewing it as part of a broader crackdown on free speech.
Decree 168 has drawn widespread criticism for imposing heavy fines that are seen as disproportionate to average incomes. Critics argue the policy exacerbates the financial burden on citizens while failing to address deeper issues such as poor infrastructure and inadequate public transportation. Despite this, state media outlets have praised the decree for reducing traffic accidents, reporting a 39.9% decrease in fatalities in its first six months of implementation.
The case against Ha has sparked a debate over the government’s use of legal measures to silence criticism. Observers note that individuals convicted under similar circumstances often face fines or imprisonment, including Article 117 for “propaganda against the state” and Article 331 for “abuse of democratic freedoms.”
The investigation into Ha’s actions is ongoing, with authorities emphasizing their commitment to maintaining public order. Activists, however, warn that such measures risk stifling legitimate dissent and eroding public trust in governance.
Two Arrested in Dong Nai for “Abusing Democratic Freedoms” Under Article 331
Two residents of Dong Nai Province, Pham Xuan Thuy and Dao Cong Hien, were arrested on Jan. 17 for violating Article 331 of Vietnam’s Criminal Code. The two were charged with “abusing democratic freedoms” to post content on Facebook that allegedly defamed state policies and officials.
The arrests stem from the alleged frequent use of social media to raise concerns about local governance issues. Investigators claim that the posts by the two men distorted state policies and included complaints about officials’ actions. For instance, one of Hien’s posts reportedly questioned how local officials could afford luxury vehicles, while another criticized unsafe bus pick-up points near crowded markets.
According to reports, Hien’s account has been inactive since 2023, and many of his earlier posts remain under scrutiny. Police allege that both men’s activities infringed on the “legitimate rights and interests” of organizations and individuals.
The use of Article 331, which criminalizes acts deemed to abuse freedoms to harm state interests, has drawn criticism from international human rights groups. Critics argue that the law’s vague language allows for arbitrary arrests and suppresses free expression. This incident adds to a growing list of cases where Vietnamese authorities have detained individuals for online dissent.
International human rights organizations have repeatedly called on the Vietnamese government to respect citizens’ rights to express their opinions, particularly on issues affecting local communities.
Van Lang Group Urges Czech Leaders to Address Vietnam’s Human Rights Issues
Ahead of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to the Czech Republic, the Van Lang Group, a civil society organization of Vietnamese expatriates, has called on Czech leaders to raise Vietnam’s human rights record during diplomatic talks.
The open letter, addressed to the Czech president and prime minister, highlights ongoing rights abuses in Vietnam and urges advocacy for political prisoners and civil liberties.
Prime Minister Chinh is visiting Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland from Jan. 15 to 23, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of Vietnam-Czech diplomatic relations.
His stay in the Czech Republic, from Jan. 18 to 20, is expected to enhance bilateral cooperation, with agreements anticipated in education, trade, and cultural exchanges. Vietnam’s ambassador to the Czech Republic, Duong Hoai Nam, emphasized the growing economic ties, projecting bilateral trade to reach $3.8 billion in 2024.
However, the Van Lang Group’s letter underscores pressing human rights concerns. It draws parallels between Vietnam’s current authoritarian practices and the Czech Republic’s pre-1989 totalitarian era. The letter lists prominent prisoners of conscience, such as journalist Pham Doan Trang and activist Trinh Ba Tu, and criticizes Vietnam’s restrictions on freedoms of expression, association, and assembly.
“Vietnam does not have a free press or independent political parties,” the letter states, urging Czech leaders to advocate for democratic reforms in the country. Hoang Hung, a Van Lang executive, confirmed that the Czech government acknowledged receipt of the letter. He noted the group’s efforts to keep human rights on the diplomatic agenda, despite the Czech Republic’s focus on economic ties with Vietnam.
Hung also pointed to historical challenges in Czech-Vietnamese relations, including the 2017 kidnapping of Vietnamese asylum seeker Trinh Xuan Thanh in Berlin, allegedly orchestrated by Vietnam’s secret service. This incident strained Vietnam’s relations with Germany and implicated individuals within the Czech Vietnamese community.
Despite these challenges, the Czech Republic remains one of Vietnam’s key European partners, with strong economic and cultural connections, including a Vietnamese minority community officially recognized by the Czech government. Van Lang hopes that maintaining diplomatic pressure on Vietnam’s human rights issues will lead to meaningful change.
“In a democratic society, even minority voices are heard,” said Hung, expressing hope that the Czech Republic will leverage its position to advocate for political and democratic pluralism in Vietnam.
Prime Minister Chinh’s visit is expected to solidify economic ties, but the Van Lang Group continues to push for human rights to be a central focus of bilateral discussions.
VTC Ceases Broadcasting Amid Government Restructuring
Vietnam Television Corporation (VTC), one of the country’s leading broadcasters, has ceased operations across all its channels, including popular networks like VTC1, VTC3, and VTC10, following a government directive to streamline media organizations. This decision marks the end of VTC’s nearly two decades of service as a major player in Vietnam’s television industry.
Founded on August 19, 2004, VTC was recognized as one of the “big three” broadcasters in Vietnam, alongside Vietnam Television (VTV) and Ho Chi Minh City Television (HTV). VTC pioneered high-definition (HD) broadcasting and even tested 3D television technology, positioning itself as an innovator in the industry. Channels like VTC3 catered to sports fans, while VTC10, known as Netviet, served the Vietnamese diaspora worldwide.
Despite its achievements, VTC faced persistent financial challenges in recent years. In 2014, it separated from VTC Multimedia Corp. and became a government-managed agency under the Ministry of Information and Communications. However, this separation also divided its assets and liabilities, leaving VTC burdened with significant debt. In 2015, a government directive transferred VTC to the Voice of Vietnam (VOV), but questions about its financial management remained unresolved. As of 2024, VTC’s debts exceeded 1,200 billion dong.
The closure of VTC is part of a broader initiative to restructure Vietnam’s media landscape. Other broadcasters, including Voice of Vietnam Television (VOVTV), People’s Television, and the National Assembly Television, also ceased operations in January 2025. The move aligns with government resolutions aimed at consolidating resources and transferring responsibilities to VTV. However, details about the reassignment of staff and future plans for these channels remain unclear.
Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Ke had previously urged ministries to address VTC’s financial issues, but no public updates have been provided. This uncertainty extends to the station’s employees, who face an uncertain future as their organizations are dissolved or merged.
The government’s restructuring efforts go beyond the media sector. A related report from Jan. 11 outlined plans to reduce government agencies from 25 to 22, including transferring corporations like Mobifone to the Ministry of Public Security. These changes reflect a broader push to streamline public administration and address inefficiencies.
As VTC bids farewell to its audience, its closure signals the end of an era in Vietnamese broadcasting. While the government’s restructuring aims to enhance efficiency, the loss of such a significant media institution raises questions about the long-term impact on Vietnam’s media diversity and workforce.
Quick Takes:
Vietnam’s General Administration of Taxation has called on banks to withhold taxes from foreign service providers like Agoda, Booking.com, Airbnb, and PayPal. These companies have reportedly operated for years without fulfilling tax obligations in Vietnam. Banks and intermediaries are urged to declare and remit taxes on their behalf to ensure compliance.