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.
At 9 p.m. on July 28, her condition deteriorated and she was transferred to Ngọc Lặc General Hospital in Thanh Hoá Province. After midnight tests, doctors diagnosed her with gastrointestinal issues and began a treatment regimen that included intravenous antibiotics and fluids over a three-day hospital stay.
By July 30, Thêu reported her fingernails turning dark, a troubling symptom that doctors did not explain. Despite her persistent pain and fatigue, she was discharged on July 31 and returned to the prison, where her condition remains weak. As of Aug. 1, she continues to suffer from abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, and constipation.
Disturbingly, prison authorities have refused to provide her with a copy of her medical report, claiming it can only be released under special circumstances, contradicting her legal right to access her own health records. Thêu received conflicting explanations regarding her diagnosis, ranging from intestinal inflammation to colitis and fatty liver. On July 31, a prison medical officer told her she had inflammation of the cecum and needed no further treatment beyond dietary changes.
Thêu’s current symptoms resemble a past medical crisis in 2010, when she was hospitalized for suspected poisoning and treated at Bach Mai Hospital’s toxicology unit.
The family expressed deep concern over her health, especially given the harsh conditions and the fact that this is her third wrongful imprisonment, with an 8-year sentence still ongoing. From Project 88, the expected release date for Thêu will be on June 24, 2028.
Her son, Trịnh Bá Tư, and husband, Trịnh Bá Phương, have also been unjustly imprisoned, with the family collectively facing over 30 years in prison and 11 years of probation. Phương now faces a potential second prosecution under Article 117 for a writing containing an anti-communism message, with the investigation phase reportedly to be concluded in Quảng Nam Province.
Thêu sends her heartfelt thanks to all those who have stood by her and her family with solidarity and support during these difficult years.
Wife of Đặng Đăng Phước Questions Allegations After Sudden Solitary Confinement Notice
From social media, on July 29, 2025, Lê Thị Hà, wife of political prisoner Đặng Đăng Phước, received an official notice from Xuân Phước Prison stating that her husband had been placed in solitary confinement (in a solitary disciplinary cell) for seven days, beginning July 23 and ending Aug. 2, 2025. The notice claimed Phước committed a prison infraction by “assaulting another inmate,” meriting a 10-day disciplinary sentence, of which seven days are in isolation.
Under prison regulations, Phước’s visitation rights have been sharply reduced from monthly visits to once every two months, and only after he is officially deemed “progressing in rehabilitation” (cải tạo tiến bộ)—a condition that remains undefined.
Hà expressed shock and indignation upon learning the decision, emphasizing that her husband has always been known for his gentle and compassionate character. Phước, born in 1963, was a music lecturer. He was arrested on Sept. 8, 2022 and sentenced in June 2023 to eight years in prison under Article 117 on charges of spreading “anti-state propaganda.”
In previous incidents, Phước has also experienced harsh disciplinary actions. In May 2024, he was placed in solitary confinement for 10 days, allegedly for asking his wife to pass on another inmate’s phone number—a minor breach—resulting also in reduced family visitation. Family members reported that during this punishment, he was even shackled and given minimal food and water.
Global rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have repeatedly called for his immediate release and decried the use of vaguely defined disciplinary rules in his case.
Phước has been an outspoken advocate for human rights, democracy, and environmental justice. Prior to his arrest, he publicly opposed nuclear and ecological violations such as those caused by Formosa Hà Tĩnh Steel Corporation, supported Montagnard and land rights movements, and advocated against the 2018 cybersecurity law.
Hà stated she intends to file a complaint with the Provincial Procuracy of Phú Yên to contest her husband’s disciplinary treatment, noting widespread reports that political prisoners—particularly at Xuân Phước—face frequent isolation, denial of family contact, censorship of letters, physical restraints, and poor nutrition.
Advocacy groups and international legal standards stress that solitary confinement should be used only as a last resort, for short durations, and that meaningful contact with family and legal representation is essential for prisoner health and rehabilitation.
Phước remains in isolation until Aug. 2, while his family continues pushing for clarity on his treatment and for his basic rights to be upheld.
Seven-Year Sentence for Cà Mau School Principal Sparks Public Outcry Over Justice and Legal Proportionality
The recent conviction of Trần Văn Tâm, former principal of Tam Giang Tây Secondary School in Cà Mau Province, has stirred widespread public concern over the severity and fairness of Vietnam’s criminal justice system.
According to official records, Tâm purchased raw materials and personally constructed furniture and equipment for his school—including bookshelves, file cabinets, and bulletin boards—in an effort to reduce operational costs. However, lacking official purchase invoices, he sought help from local businesses to create falsified receipts to meet state payment requirements.
Investigators found that Tâm had overstated procurement costs on several occasions, totaling 10.7 million dong ($428). On Feb. 17, the People’s Court of Ngọc Hiển District sentenced him to seven years in prison for embezzlement, barred him from holding public office for two years post-release, and ordered the seizure of the full 10.7 million dong as state property.
Tâm rejected the verdict and filed an appeal. During the appellate hearing on May 6, he admitted to violating regulations by using fake invoices but firmly denied any intention to commit embezzlement. The Cà Mau Provincial People’s Court ultimately overturned the initial verdict, citing serious procedural errors in both investigation and trial phases, and a failure to adequately assess the substance and context of the case.
The case has drawn significant public attention and backlash. Many commentators criticized the original sentence as disproportionate and lacking in legal mercy, especially given Tâm’s apparent motive to benefit the school rather than himself.
This incident has reignited debate over legal overreach and prosecutorial discretion in Vietnam, especially in Cà Mau, a province frequently spotlighted for controversial legal decisions. Notable past cases include the infamous “OK em” case, the “neighbor’s house security camera” case, and the “red shirt” wrongful conviction. These cases resulted in compensation being paid by the state due to procedural misconduct and wrongful imprisonment.
Observers argue that such patterns point to a systemic issue in Cà Mau’s judicial and prosecutorial apparatus, where procedural missteps and harsh interpretations of intent can lead to life-altering consequences for low-level officials and citizens alike.
While the appellate court’s decision to nullify the verdict marks a positive step, the case remains a reminder of the fragile balance between rule of law and judicial discretion—and the lasting human cost when that balance is lost.
Hà Nội Fells Trees, Demolishes Historic Building to Expand Parade Route for National Day
In preparation for the upcoming 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day on Sept. 2, Hanoi authorities have approved the removal of trees and a historic French colonial building to expand Hùng Vương Street for military parades and marches for national celebrations.
According to the Hanoi Department of Construction, the plan involves cutting down 19 healthy trees with trunk diameters ranging from 6 to 54 cm, and five large shade trees described as “twisted and with exposed roots,” some with diameters of up to 105 cm. In addition, a French-style building located at 61 Trần Phú, in the heart of Ba Đình District, was completely demolished on July 29 as part of the project.
The building at 61 Trần Phú had already been at the center of public controversy. In late March 2022, part of the structure was torn down to make way for the 11-story Poster multifunctional complex. Public backlash was swift and intense, citing the building’s architectural and historical significance. In response, on April 6, 2022, Hanoi Party Secretary Đinh Tiến Dũng ordered a temporary halt to the project pending investigation and public consultation.
While inspections found no violations, the project was paused to gather feedback on the design of the replacement structure. By then, most of the building had already been dismantled—only the section facing Hùng Vương Street remained. That final segment was demolished in full on July 29, 2025, yet this time, the action drew little public protest.
The move comes alongside broader urban development efforts. In early April 2025, Hanoi announced plans to cut down 98 trees to make way for construction along Ring Road 1, particularly the section from Voi Phục to Hoàng Cầu.
This latest wave of removals and demolitions recalls the “6700 Green Trees” movement in 2015, when widespread public backlash successfully halted a major tree-felling campaign in central Hanoi. At the time, citizens rallied to protect urban greenery, highlighting the importance of environmental sustainability and public space in city planning.
While the current projects have proceeded with less public resistance, they continue to raise questions about heritage preservation, environmental impact, and public engagement in urban development decisions—especially as the city transforms key historic spaces for state ceremonial functions.
Việt Nam’s New Land Law Draft Favors Developers, Reduces Market Role in Land Valuation
Less than a year after the revised Land Law took effect, Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) has proposed sweeping amendments—chief among them, eliminating the principle of market-based land pricing in favor of reaffirming the State’s decisive role in land valuation.
In a draft submitted for public consultation, MONRE cited numerous implementation challenges and legal inconsistencies that emerged since the law came into force. To address these, it suggests abolishing market-based valuation, instead mandating that land prices be set primarily by the State to reflect “national development goals” and “social stability.”
Two new mechanisms for the official land price table have been proposed:
- The central government issues a five-year land price table, with flexibility to adjust during the period as needed.
- The replacement of the specific pricing system altogether with an annual adjustment coefficient (K coefficient) published by provincial authorities.
The ministry argues that current valuation processes are flawed—heavily reliant on variable input data, inconsistent consultancy quality, and volatile secondary market trends. Since land is a critical economic asset, officials say stronger price controls are needed to prevent speculation and ensure financial predictability.
However, recent examples suggest price control efforts may be backfiring. After the national land price framework was removed, many localities recalibrated their price lists—sometimes multiplying land values many times over, resulting in steep financial burdens on citizens. In Ho Chi Minh City, land prices reportedly rose four to 38 times, with many residents unable to afford fees for land-use rights conversion.
The draft also proposes broadening the scope of land types eligible for conversion to commercial housing, a move designed to facilitate private-sector development and reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks in project implementation.
At a public forum held on July 22, Phạm Viết Thuận of the HCMC Institute of Natural Resources and Environmental Economics noted that while the law formally mandates market pricing, it does not require official prices to reflect real market values—creating massive gaps between land categories. He proposed adjusting agricultural land prices to 65–70% of residential land values to reduce disparities.
The revised Land Law is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly during its year-end 2025 session, with potential enforcement beginning early 2026, if approved.
Notably, the proposed amendments come just one year after the passing of Nguyễn Phú Trọng, whose Resolution 18 was widely regarded as his final institutional legacy. The resolution envisioned land reform as a pillar of national development. Its rapid reassessment has raised questions over whether Trọng’s vision is being diluted under the guise of “adapting to reality.”
Quick Takes:
Former Editor-in-Chief and 43 Journalists Sentenced to Prison for Extortion Scheme in Vietnam
On July 30, the People’s Court of Hưng Yên Province sentenced Đồng Xuân Thụ, former editor-in-chief of Vietnam Environment and Urban Affairs Magazine, to 13.5 years in prison, along with 43 other staff and reporters, for extortion. From 2010 onward, Thụ directed subordinates to investigate environmental violations and coerce companies into paying “sponsorships” ranging from 50 to 300 million dong. If refused, the group allegedly threatened to report the violations to authorities or publish damaging articles. The case has drawn attention as one of the largest media-related corruption scandals in recent years.
Vietnam Plans to Streamline Mass Organizations Without Eliminations
On July 29, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front held a conference to review a draft plan to restructure and streamline its affiliated mass organizations. The proposal targets 30 member groups and political–social organizations for reorganization—not elimination—to reduce overlap, improve efficiency, and consolidate operations. The final proposal is expected to be submitted to the Politburo by Aug. 31 for review. The initiative reflects ongoing efforts to reform state-affiliated civic bodies while maintaining political control.
Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính Proposes Classifying Drug Addicts as Criminals
On July 23, during a special government session on legislative reform, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính proposed that drug addicts be treated as criminals under the draft amendments to Vietnam’s Drug Prevention and Control Law. He emphasized that efforts to combat drug-related crime must begin with controlling addiction and he called for codifying the party’s stance that “drug addiction is a criminal offense.” The proposal has sparked renewed debate over human rights, public health, and punitive drug policy in Việt Nam.
Trump Tariff Angst Distanced Vietnam from China – But That Did Not Last
The Straits Time/July 30
“‘Vietnam is still in a relatively favourable position,’ said Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Steven Tseng. ‘While its 20 per cent tariff isn’t the lowest, it doesn’t necessarily hurt competitiveness given Vietnam’s cost advantage, established industrial base and geographical proximity to China. It still makes sense for Chinese manufacturers to shift to Vietnam.’
A major sticking point remains what the White House counts as a transshipped product – something the Trump administration is expected to detail soon. But despite the uncertainty, Vietnam’s growing role in the global supply chain has meant that foreign investments are increasing, said Mr Nguyen Duc Long, a Bac Ninh provincial official. Mr Long expects US$1 billion in investments in the province, on top of US$4 billion in foreign money already pledged in the first half of 2025.”