Key Events
- Severe Floods in Central Việt Nam Leave 55 Dead, Cause Widespread Damage as More Rain Approaches;
- Ministry of Public Security Indicts Journalist Lê Trung Khoa and Lawyer Nguyễn Văn Đài Under Article 117 of the 2015 Penal Code;
- Government Classifies Selection of Five Top Leadership Positions as “Top Secret”;
- Draft Resolution Raises Concerns Over Homeowner Protections in Land Recovery;
- National Assembly Debates Proposal to Let Public Service Employees Join Private-Sector Management.
Relentless rainfall across central and highland regions of Việt Nam has triggered devastating floods and landslides, leaving at least 55 people dead and 13 missing as of Nov. 22, 2025, according to the country’s disaster management agency, Reuters reports.
In some affected areas, rainfall totals soared above 1,900 mm (74.8 inches) within just a week — a staggering figure that underscores the scale of the disaster. The hardest-hit provinces include Đắk Lắk Province (27 deaths), Khánh Hòa Province (14 deaths) and others such as Lâm Đồng Province and Gia Lai Province.
More than 235,000 homes are reported flooded and nearly 80,000 hectares of crops have been destroyed or severely damaged. The economic loss is estimated at approximately 8.98 trillion đồng ($340 million) so far.
Critical infrastructure has also been hit: a suspension bridge over the Đa Nhim River in Lâm Đồng was swept away, multiple roads are blocked by mudslides and floodwaters, and over half a million properties remain without power.
The human cost is rising. Tens of thousands have been evacuated and relief efforts have been hindered by severe conditions. According to Caritas Đà Nẵng (the Catholic Diocese of Đà Nẵng’s official charitable arm,) which is delivering aid to isolated villages, more than 52,000 houses were flooded and nearly 62,000 people evacuated.
The national meteorological agency has warned of further heavy rainfall, increasing the risk of additional flooding and landslides in already saturated zones.
Việt Nam Targets Germany-Based Journalist and Lawyer in New Article 117 Prosecutions
On Nov. 17 and 18, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) issued decisions to indict and detain journalist Lê Trung Khoa and lawyer Nguyễn Văn Đài, two Vietnamese citizens currently living in Germany.
Both men are charged with the same offense: “producing, storing, disseminating, or propagating information, documents, and materials against the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam” under Article 117 of the 2015 Penal Code.
Following the indictment on Nov. 17, journalist Lê Trung Khoa told BBC News that being charged under Article 117 was a politically motivated retaliation—an attempt to silence his freedom of expression—especially as his news outlet, Thoibao.de, continues to operate.
Lê Trung Khoa first went to Germany as a labor export worker in the 1990s and officially became a German citizen in 2024. While working in Germany, he founded his own media outlet, Thoibao.de, and has served as its editor-in-chief. According to Khoa, his publication receives more than 500 million views per month.
In a related development, Lê Trung Khoa and his outlet are among 68 organizations and individuals named in Vingroup’s recent wave of lawsuits. The court hearing between VinFast GmbH and Khoa in Berlin on Nov. 4 sparked significant controversy, as both Khoa and Vingroup publicly declared themselves the winning party in the case.
By Nov. 18, lawyer Nguyễn Văn Đài, another activist living in Germany, had also become a target of prosecution by the MPS.
On Nov. 19, Đài posted a statement on his personal Facebook page saying that since June 2018 he has been recognized by the German government as a political refugee under the 1951 Geneva Convention. Therefore, all of his writings and statements made in Germany are protected by Germany’s Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights.
He said that he left Việt Nam seven years ago, no longer holds a Vietnamese passport, and has not returned to the country, but “is still being prosecuted simply because… I dare to speak the truth you do not want to hear.”
Before traveling to Germany as a refugee in 2018, Nguyễn Văn Đài practiced law in Hà Nội. At the end of 2015, he was charged with “propagandizing against the state” and sentenced to 15 years in prison and 5 years of probation before being expelled to Germany.
Some Vietnamese journalists and activists living in Germany have frequently faced threats and personal attacks believed to be part of campaigns linked to the Vietnamese government. This situation is documented in a report prepared by Forum Menschenrechte and submitted to the German government.
Organizations such as Amnesty International Germany and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have repeatedly urged the German government to protect Vietnamese journalists and activists residing in the country from the risk of transnational repression.
In September 2025, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that Germany consistently respects press freedom worldwide and is committed to advancing these freedoms.
The Vietnamese government has officially classified all personnel plans for the country’s five highest leadership positions as “tuyệt mật” (top secret) under a new regulation issued on Nov. 17, signaling an unprecedented tightening of political confidentiality ahead of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party.
Under Decision No. 2500, signed by Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, the personnel roadmap for the positions of general secretary, state president, prime minister, national assembly chair, and standing member of the secretariat is now placed in the highest tier of state secrecy.
The regulation specifies that all information and documents related to the preparation, proposals, internal discussions, and vetting of candidates for these five posts are classified at the strictest level until an official announcement is made.
A tightening circle of confidentiality
According to the government, the purpose of elevating these materials to “top secret” status is to protect “internal political stability,” prevent foreign interference, and counter “hostile forces” as well as the risk of “self-evolution” and “self-transformation.”
These justifications echo language used frequently in party-state documents, emphasizing the need to safeguard regime security amid sensitive political transitions.
The decision arrives as the ruling Communist Party prepares for its next leadership reshuffle, a process that traditionally unfolds almost entirely behind closed doors. While the party has never publicly disclosed detailed information about internal ballots or candidate lists for senior positions, this latest decision formalizes the secrecy at the highest legal level.
The 2018 Law on Protection of State Secrets states that information considered vital to national interests, if revealed, could cause “harm to national or ethnic interests.” Under Decision 2500, personnel planning for key party and state positions is explicitly classified into this category.
A constitutional contradiction
One notable point of contention lies in the 2013 Constitution, which asserts that the Communist Party of Việt Nam is distinct from the state apparatus. Yet Decision 2500 designates the selection of purely party leadership positions—such as general secretary and standing member of the Secretariat—as state secrets.
This blurring between party functions and state governance has long been criticized by legal scholars and pro-democracy advocates, who argue that such classifications reinforce the opacity of political decision-making and sidestep constitutional boundaries.
Not without precedent
Although the new decision gives legal force to secrecy practices, it is not entirely new. Vietnamese political leadership selection has historically been shrouded in confidentiality. Previous regulations—such as Ordinance 30/2000/PL-UBTVQH10, Decision 1722/QĐ-TTg, and Decision 190/QĐ-TW—have similarly restricted access to leadership election information.
Beyond secrecy, the criteria for selecting candidates for senior leadership roles remain vague. The latest guidance—Directive No. 45 of the Politburo—does not specify clear age limits or eligibility requirements for first-time or returning candidates to the Politburo, even though these criteria directly shape the selection of all five top positions.
As Việt Nam moves closer to the 14th Party Congress that will begin on Jan. 19, 2026, the decision to deepen secrecy surrounding the leadership selection process reinforces a long-standing norm: while political transitions at the highest level are among the country’s most consequential decisions, they remain firmly outside public scrutiny.
New Resolution on Land Management Proposed, Adds Three New Grounds for Land Seizure
The Vietnamese government has submitted a new draft resolution to the National Assembly that would expand the number of legal grounds for compulsory land seizures, further widening state authority under the 2024 Land Law, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
The proposal—presented on the afternoon of Nov. 18—aims to facilitate public-investment projects and public–private partnership ventures by introducing three additional scenarios in which the state may reclaim land.
The Three New Grounds for Land Seizure:
According to the government draft, the proposed resolution would authorize compulsory land recovery in three new cases related to economic–social development:
- Land recovery for projects located within free-trade zones and international financial centers.The government argues that these areas require a special legal mechanism to accelerate investment and construction.
- Land recovery when investors have already secured agreement from at least 75% of landholders, based on both land area and number of owners. If three-quarters of affected households agree to transfer their land, the remaining 25% may still be subject to compulsory seizure.
- Land recovery to create land reserves for payment under build–transfer (BT) contracts, and to lease land for continued production or business activities in cases where an organization’s land is reclaimed by the state. This would enable governments to use land as a form of payment for infrastructure built by private firms.
The draft resolution reflects the direction set by Resolution No. 69, issued by the Communist Party Central Committee on July 19. It also comes at a time when the 2024 Land Law has already dramatically expanded the list of economic–social development projects eligible for land recovery—from three categories under the 2013 law to 32 categories today.
Việt Nam is also pushing forward with the development of free-trade zones and international financial centers, with Hồ Chí Minh City expected to open its international financial center by December 2025 after the National Assembly approved Resolution 222.
Despite the expanded legal framework, lawmakers warn that serious gaps remain in the proposed land-seizure mechanisms.
The National Assembly’s Economic and Budget Committee has requested clarification on the legal basis for the 75% rule—specifically, how the remaining 25% of non-consenting households will be treated and what safeguards will protect their rights.
Representative Nguyễn Văn Mạnh from Phú Thọ Province cautioned that implementation of the resolution could become mired in disputes without a clear method for counting the number of land users or determining whose agreement qualifies within the 75%.
Mạnh also emphasized that land-price valuation remains a major challenge, citing incomplete land-data systems and the absence of trained valuation experts. These gaps, he warned, could easily lead to conflicts, litigation, and public mistrust during land-recovery operations.
Additionally, the draft resolution makes no mention of independent third-party oversight in monitoring land seizures or ensuring fair compensation for affected residents, including those who voluntarily contribute land for public–private investment projects.
If approved, the resolution would further consolidate state power in land administration—already one of the most politically sensitive issues in the country.
While the government argues that the changes are necessary to accelerate economic development, critics warn that without greater transparency, valuation reform, and independent oversight, expanded land-seizure powers could heighten social tensions and legal disputes in the years ahead.
Draft Law Proposes Allowing Public Service Employees to Manage or Operate Private Enterprises
The National Assembly is considering a significant shift in public-sector governance: a proposal that would allow viên chức (public service employees) to participate in the management, operation, or technology development of private enterprises. The discussion took place on the morning of Nov. 13 as lawmakers debated revisions to the Law on Public Service Employees.
The proposal originates from a draft law submitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Oct. 22. Under current regulations, public service employees are allowed to contribute capital to private companies but are strictly prohibited from participating in the management or administration of private enterprises, cooperatives, private hospitals, private schools, or non-public research organizations.
The revised draft law, however, opens the door for public service employees to take on management roles or engage in technology development within non-state enterprises.
Proponents argue that this change could foster greater collaboration between the public and private sectors, attract talent, and encourage innovation in key industries—especially technology and research.
Despite the proposed flexibility, many lawmakers warn that the new rule could inadvertently create conflicts of interest, weaken public accountability, and blur the boundaries between public and private roles.
National Assembly Deputy Nguyễn Thị Việt Nga emphasized the risks of allowing public service employees to simultaneously hold positions in both sectors.
Nga warned that individuals may exploit their public roles to benefit private entities, resulting in personal gain at public expense. To mitigate conflicts of interest, she proposed prohibiting public service employees from participating in private-sector roles if the enterprise operates in the same field as their public-sector position.
Supporting this view, Deputy Nguyễn Tâm Hùng of Hồ Chí Minh City expressed concern about a potential surge in “chân trong, chân ngoài” situations—where public employees quietly maintain dual roles that expose them to undue influence, favoritism, or corrupt practices. He argued that without clear safeguards, the reform could undermine the integrity of public service.
The proposal also raises the possibility of legal inconsistencies. Earlier in June, the National Assembly passed amendments to the Law on Enterprises, clearly stating that public officials and public service employees are prohibited from founding, contributing capital to, or managing private companies.
This clause appears to directly contradict the new draft law, creating what several lawmakers describe as a situation of “luật chồng luật” (law overlapping with law).
Until these conflicting provisions are reconciled, experts warn that the new proposal could trigger disputes, enforcement confusion, and loopholes that compromise both anti-corruption mechanisms and legal coherence.
The debate reflects broader tensions in Việt Nam’s ongoing public-sector reform: how to modernize and integrate public administration with a rapidly expanding private economy while still safeguarding transparency, ethics, and accountability.
As the draft continues through legislative review, lawmakers must determine whether the potential benefits of cross-sector engagement outweigh the risks posed by conflicts of interest—especially in a system already struggling with corruption, regulatory gaps, and overlapping legal frameworks.
The final direction will determine not only the structure of Việt Nam’s public service but also the future relationship between the state and the increasingly dynamic private sector.
Quick Takes:
The government has issued Decree No. 282/2025/NĐ-CP, effective Dec. 15, increasing administrative penalties in the security and public-order sector. Under the new regulation, citizens may be fined 3–5 million đồng for insulting, threatening, obstructing, or resisting local security forces while they are on duty.
These forces—established in 2024 through the merger of neighborhood protection teams, civil defense units, and semi-professional commune police—now number nearly 300,000 personnel nationwide. The decree reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to expand the authority and protections granted to grassroots security units.
Việt Nam Proposes Requiring ID Information from Complainants and Whistleblowers
On Nov. 11, Government Inspector General Đoàn Hồng Phong presented a draft law to the National Assembly proposing amendments to the Laws on Citizen Reception, Complaints, and Denunciations. The draft would require complainants and whistleblowers to provide identifying information, including full name, address, citizen ID or personal ID number, or passport details. Phong said mandatory identification is intended to verify the sender and prevent malicious impersonation. The drafting committee stated that all personal data and case-related information would be kept confidential by the responsible authorities.
MPS Urges Đào Minh Quân and Associates to Surrender
On Nov. 17, the MPS announced it had completed its investigation and recommended in-absentia prosecution of Đào Minh Quân and his associates on charges of “terrorism against the people’s government” and “attempting to overthrow the government.” Quân is the founder of the self-proclaimed Provisional National Government of Việt Nam, established in 1991 in California, which the Vietnamese government classifies as a terrorist organization. State media previously accused Quân of orchestrating several violent plots in 2018, including burning 320 police vehicles in Biên Hòa, planning a bombing at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in HCMC, and plotting assassinations of government officials.
Three Residents in Vĩnh Long Sentenced for “Distorting the Regime”
On Nov. 18, the People’s Court of Region 12 in Vĩnh Long Province sentenced three citizens to three years and six months in prison for “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the state” under Article 331 of the 2015 Penal Code. According to the indictment, the defendants used Facebook accounts to regularly post and share content deemed “distorted” or “false” about state agencies and local authorities. Since early 2024, at least 24 people have been arrested or convicted under Article 331 on similar charges.