Lê Giang wrote this Vietnamese article, published in Luat Khoa Magazine on March 5, 2025. Jason Nguyen translated it into English for The Vietnamese Magazine.
Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan — the former Chairwoman of the Advanced Information Technology Corporation (AIC) — has been on Vietnam’s wanted list since 2022.
Nhan was prosecuted in April 2022 for “violating bidding regulations, leading to significant damage” in relation to a project at Dong Nai General Hospital. Since then, she has been tried in absentia in nearly 10 court hearings over fraudulent biddings that caused significant financial losses to the state.
The fifth case against Nhan will go to trial on Mar. 17, 2025, further uncovering the network of interests surrounding AIC and its illicit activities.
She is reportedly seeking asylum in Germany, and Berlin’s response to Vietnam’s extradition request raises important political and diplomatic issues.
Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan’s fate remains uncertain from a powerful businesswoman to an internationally wanted fugitive. The upcoming developments surrounding her extradition and legal proceedings could significantly impact both Vietnamese politics and Vietnam-Germany relations.
Who is Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan?
Born in 1969, Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan was the former Chairwoman and General Director of AIC.
She was widely regarded as a successful entrepreneur, fluent in multiple languages, and the recipient of numerous awards, including the “Outstanding Academician” and “Vernadsky Star” titles given by the International Academy of Systems Science of the Russian Federation (IASS) in 2015. Nhan was also celebrated as the first female academician and PhD holder in Vietnam and Asia to receive these honors.
In 2017, Forbes listed her among Vietnam’s 50 most influential women.
AIC’s Fraudulent Bidding Cases
On Mar. 17, 2025, the People’s Court of Hanoi is scheduled to hold Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan’s fifth trial for “violating bidding regulations, leading to significant damage” in a Vietnam Computer Emergency Response Center (VNCERT) case. Judge Luu Ngoc Canh will preside over the trial.
Since 2022, Nhan has previously been tried in absentia and sentenced in four separate cases of bid rigging and bribery.
Dong Nai General Hospital (2011-2023) – $1.8 Million in Bribes
The Investigation Police Agency under the Ministry of Public Security (MPS-IPA) concluded that AIC — under Nhan’s leadership — had committed bid rigging at the Dong Nai General Hospital between 2011 and 2020. She allegedly directed subordinates to manipulate auctions, ensuring that the AIC won contracts despite lacking financial and human resource qualifications.
To secure these contracts, Nhan engaged with high-ranking provincial officials. Likewise, her staff colluded with project investors to tailor bidding documents in AIC’s favor, causing a state budget loss of 152 billion VND (approximately 6.3 million USD).
Nhan and her subordinates also paid 44.8 billion VND (approx. 1.8 million USD) in bribes to Dong Nai officials, including:
- Tran Dinh Thanh (Former Provincial Party Secretary) – 14.5 billion VND
- Dinh Quoc Thai (Former Provincial Chairman) – 14.5 billion VND
- Phan Huy Anh Vu (Former Dong Nai Hospital Director) – 14.8 billion VND
- Bo Ngoc Thu (Former Planning and Investment Director) – 1 billion VND
These payments were funneled through intermediaries, including one of AIC’s subsidiaries: Nam Bo Company.
The money was then delivered to provincial leaders, departments, and branches to assist AIC in the bidding and project implementation.
On April 29, 2022, the MPS-IPA issued a decision to prosecute, along with orders for temporary detention and search warrants for nine individuals, including Nhan. They were charged with “violating bidding regulations, leading to significant damage” under Clause 3, Article 222 of the 2015 Penal Code.
According to state media, Nhan fled from her residence on June 19, 2021. More than a year later, the investigative agency issued an arrest warrant on May 10, 2022, under Decision No. 02/QDTN-CSKT-P9.
On Nov. 24, 2022, the Supreme People’s Procuracy issued a decision to prosecute 36 individuals involved with the Dong Nai General Hospital bidding fraud on the following accusations: bribery, receiving bribes, violating bidding regulations leading to significant damage, abuse of position and power in performance of official duties, and lack of responsibility leading to significant damage.
Nhan was prosecuted for “violating bidding regulations, leading to significant damage” and “bribery.”
On Jan. 4, 2023, the Hanoi People’s Court sentenced Nhan in absentia to 16 years imprisonment on charges of “violating bidding regulations” and an additional 14 for “receiving bribes,” totalling 30 years. In response to the court’s decision, Nhan’s lawyer filed an appeal.
At the appeals hearing on May 24, 2023, the High People’s Court in Hanoi rejected the petition. Other defendants in the case — including Tran Dinh Thanh, Dinh Quoc Thai, and Phan Huy Anh Vu — were also convicted of bribery.
Quang Ninh Maternity and Pediatric Hospital (2021-2023) – $2.1 Million in Losses
Quang Ninh Province approved a medical equipment procurement project worth 238 billion VND (approx. 9.8 million USD) in 2012, consisting of two periods divided into six direct procurement packages. In August 2022, the MPS-IPA decided to look into the project.
According to their investigation, Nhan ordered her subordinates to contact government officials to discuss technical requirements, configurations, and equipment prices, as well as to arrange the bidding.
AIC prepared bidding documents through price manipulation and compiled a list of “proxy and straight bidders” to secure the deal. During this process, Nhan instructed the chief accountant to falsify the financial reports in order to qualify for the bid, a blatant violation of legal regulations.
As a result, AIC won four bidding packages worth more than 200 billion VND and secured a payment worth 197 billion VND. Mopha Company — a “straight bidder” company established and directed by Nhan — also won two other packages worth more than 25 billion VND. According to the Quang Ninh Provincial Asset Valuation Council, the state budget lost more than 50 billion VND due to Nhan’s manipulation.
On Aug. 30, 2023, the Supreme People’s Procuracy issued an indictment to prosecute Nhan and 15 defendants for “violating bidding regulations” and “lack of responsibility that caused significant damage.”
The Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Court held a first instance trial on Oct. 23, 2023, sentencing Nhan to 10 years imprisonment for “violating bidding regulations, leading to significant damage” bringing her total sentence to 40 years.
Ho Chi Minh City Biotechnology Center (2006-2024) – $3.5 Million in Losses
In 2006, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee approved an equipment purchase for 12 specialized biotechnology laboratories at the Ho Chi Minh City Biotechnology Center. Eight years later, the city’s Department of Planning and Investment approved a project with a total investment exceeding 488 billion VND, allocating 425 billion VND for equipment procurement.
The project consisted of three periods, with 10 bidding packages implemented between 2015 and 2019.
On April 19, 2023, the investigation agency prosecuted individuals at AIC, the Ho Chi Minh City Biotechnology Center, and other involved agencies. According to the indictment, Nhan manipulated the auction by establishing proxy companies to commit fraud during the bidding process.
She allegedly struck a secret deal with Duong Hoa Xo, the former Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Biotechnology Center, ensuring that AIC would win the auction. In return, Xo received 40% of the bidding package — a revelation that he confessed during the trial.
AIC and other companies owned by Nhan won six bidding packages, with a total value of 305.4 billion VND, causing a loss of 83.1 billion VND to the state. Between 2015 and 2018, She ordered her subordinates to bribe the director of the biotechnology center with 14.4 billion VND.
These funds (14.4 billion VND) were then divided among several individuals. Xo kept 11.35 billion VND, while Tran Thi Binh Minh — the former deputy director of the Department of Planning and Investment of Ho Chi Minh City — received 1 billion VND. The former deputy director of the Center for Biotechnology, Nguyen Dang Quan, also received 950 million VND.
On May 25, 2024, Nhan, along with Tran Manh Ha, former Deputy General Director of AIC, and Tran Dang Tan, AIC’s former Chief Representative in Ho Chi Minh City, were charged with “bribery,” “violating bidding regulations, leading to significant damage,” and “abusing authoritative positions and powers in performance of official duties.”
Duong Hoa Xo was also prosecuted for “receiving bribes,” while Tran Thi Binh Minh and Phan Tat Thang — the former Deputy Head of the Department of Planning and Investment — were charged with “abusing authoritative positions and powers while performing official duties.”
In addition, eight other defendants, including officials from the Center for Biotechnology, AISC Auditing, the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Construction and Business Administration, the SEAAC Valuation Company, and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Planning and Investment, were also prosecuted due to their alleged connection with the case.
After a three-day trial that began on July 10, 2024, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court sentenced Nhan to 24 months in prison.
Bac Ninh Health Department’s Project (2013-2015) – $2 Million in Losses
Between 2013 and 2015, Nhan was involved in a case in Bac Ninh Province. The defendants in that case were accused of committing bidding violations, bribery, and abuse of power while in public office.
After investigation, charges were filed against Nhan, AIC, and other entities for “violating bidding regulations, leading to significant damage” on Sept. 20. 2023. These violations occurred at the Medical Construction Project Management Board, operating under the Bac Ninh Department of Health.
The case involved six procurement contracts for medical equipment at six district-level general hospitals, causing the government to lose over 48.6 billion VND (approx. 2 million USD).
Nhan was accused of exploiting her connections with Bac Ninh provincial leaders to secure favorable conditions for AIC and Mopha Company. Her connections allegedly helped her win three procurement contracts for medical equipment at Gia Binh, Thuan Thanh, and Luong Tai General Hospitals, with a total value of over 126 billion VND (approx. 5.2 million USD).
Nhan also bribed high-ranking officials in Bac Ninh with a total of 4.1 billion VND (approx. 170,000 USD). Among them was Nguyen Nhan Chien — the former Bac Ninh Provincial Party Secretary — who received 3 billion VND (approx. 125,000 USD).
On Sept. 12, 2024, the Supreme People’s Procuracy issued Indictment No. 8707/Ctr-VKSTC-V3, prosecuting 13 defendants — including Nhan — on charges of: “violating bidding regulations, leading to significant damage,” “bribery,” and “abuse of power in public office.”
On the morning of October 29, 2024, the Bac Ninh Provincial People’s Court opened the first-instance trial for the 13 defendants in this case. However, Nhan and Nguyen Hong Son — the former Deputy General Director of AIC — did not appear at the hearing, forcing the court to proceed with the trial against them in absentia.
On the afternoon of Nov. 1, 2024, the Bac Ninh Provincial People’s Court issued its verdict. Nhan was sentenced to 13 years in prison for bribery in this case.
VNCERT (2025) – $700,000 in Losses
On December 29, 2023, the Investigative Police Agency of the Ministry of Public Security filed a case related to bidding violations at VNCERT, (Vietnam Computer Emergency Response Team). VNCERT is a national agency under the Authority of Information Security, Ministry of Information and Communications, responsible for cybersecurity incident response, monitoring, and coordination in Vietnam.
Nine individuals involved in the case were prosecuted and taken into custody.
The investigation revealed violations in the procurement of surveillance equipment and digital technical services for analyzing cybersecurity incidents.
Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan was accused of planning the operation and directing the bidding manipulation from the project’s inception.
She allegedly instructed her subordinates to collaborate with VNCERT in compiling the list of equipment and software while pre-determining price levels to ensure that AIC secured a 40% profit margin and ultimately won the bid.
During the bidding process, Nhan and other defendants falsified documents, created fake competing bidders, and manipulated the price evaluation certificates to help AIC win Bid Package No. 8. This resulted in state budget losses of over 17 billion VND (approx. 700,000 USD).
After winning, Nguyen Hong Son, the former Deputy General Director of AIC, delivered 1 billion VND (approx. 42,000 USD) to Nguyen Trong Duong — the former Director of VNCERT.
Duong kept 200 million VND (approx. 8,400 USD) for personal use, while the remaining amount was distributed among project participants and spent for VNCERT’s internal activities.
On November 20, 2024, the Supreme People’s Procuracy issued an indictment, prosecuting Nhan and 12 others for “violating bidding regulations, leading to significant damage.”
The Hanoi People’s Court has scheduled the first instance trial for March 17, 2025. The proceeding is expected to last eight days, including Saturday and Sunday. Nhan is not expected to appear during the trial, and will be tried in absentia.
Alleged Connections to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh
Reports suggest that AIC’s fraudulent activities in Quang Ninh may have been linked to Pham Minh Chinh, as he was that province’s Provincial Party Secretary at the time and now the current Vietnamese Prime Minister.
Between 2011 and 2015, when Pham Minh Chinh served as Party Secretary of Quang Ninh Province, AIC won multiple large bidding contracts in the province, raising suspicions about his role in the entire operation.
During Chinh’s tenure as Head of the Central Organization Commission (2016–2021), AIC continued expanding its operations and secured numerous contracts in other localities.
After Chinh became Prime Minister in April 2021, AIC was officially prosecuted, and Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan fled shortly thereafter.
According to Intelligence Online, the close relationship between Chinh and Nhan was a key factor in AIC securing a series of contracts in Quang Ninh.
Nhan’s subsequent escape following the investigation has further fueled public suspicion.
Germany: “Trinh Xuan Thanh-Style Abduction Must Not Happen Again”
Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan chose Germany as her place of refuge after escaping Vietnam on charges of bribery and state budget mismanagement.
According to Luật Khoa Magazine, her decision to seek refuge in Germany may stem from several factors:
First, Germany is one of the most progressive countries in the world in terms of asylum policies, especially after World War II and the 2015 migration crisis.
The German Constitution (Grundgesetz) explicitly guarantees the right to asylum in Article 16a, ensuring that individuals facing political persecution have the right to protection. Asylum seekers in Germany are entitled to basic rights, including access to healthcare, education, and financial support.
Second, diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Germany remain strained after the Trinh Xuan Thanh case.
The 2017 abduction of Trinh Xuan Thanh in Berlin caused a severe diplomatic rupture between Vietnam and Germany.
At the height of the tension, Germany temporarily suspended its Strategic Partnership with Vietnam, and relations only began to improve in 2019.
There is no exact timeline available for the full restoration of diplomatic ties between the two countries. However, in February 2019, Germany expressed a desire to rebuild its relationship with Vietnam. Since then, Vietnamese state media has frequently mentioned efforts to strengthen the Strategic Partnership between the two nations.
In 2023, Vietnam formally requested the extradition of Nhan from Germany. However, Germany’s Federal Ministry of Justice denied the request.
From Oct. 26–29, 2024, during a meeting between Vietnam’s Minister of Public Security, Lương Tam Quang, and German officials, the German contingent firmly stated that the “Trinh Xuan Thanh incident must never happen again.”
Third, Germany has strict security measures to protect asylum seekers.
According to Bild, when Nhan arrived in Frankfurt, she surrendered to German authorities and was immediately placed under special protection.
The newspaper reported that Nhan is currently residing in a former brothel, which has been repurposed into a high-security facility by German authorities. The site is equipped with 24/7 surveillance cameras and guarded by armed personnel.
In exchange for protection, Nhan is believed to have provided German authorities with critical intelligence regarding Vietnam’s arms deals with Russia and China. This classified information reportedly includes details on weapons systems, supply chains, financial transactions, and the identities of involved companies.
The International Press on Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan
On August 11, 2023, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned Vietnam’s blocking of the German news outlet Taz, which had reported on Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan and Germany’s response to Vietnam regarding her case.
Helene Hahn, an internet freedom officer at RSF, stated: “Vietnam is systematically suppressing critical reporting both domestically and internationally, using various tactics […] We strongly condemn the blocking of taz.de. It seems that the Hanoi government fears critical analysis. We are working to unblock the website and restore access for readers in Vietnam.”
On Oct. 26, 2023, Germany’s DW (Deutsche Welle) published an article titled “Germany: A hotbed of Vietnamese dissidents,” analyzing why the country has become a key destination for political asylum seekers.
The report also mentioned Nhan, warning that if she were abducted in Germany — similar to the Trinh Xuan Thanh case — it would severely damage diplomatic relations between Germany and Vietnam.
Meanwhile, Barron’s published an article titled “Vietnam Fugitive Businesswoman Sentenced To 10 Years In Jail,” detailing Nhan’s situation.
The report suggests that one of the main reasons for the Hanoi government’s aggressive pursuit was due to the “blazing furnace” anti-corruption campaign initiated by the late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.
Barron’s also quoted Trong as saying: “Even criminals who flee abroad must be investigated, prosecuted, and brought to justice. They will not escape punishment.”
As this is a developing story, more details about Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan’s situation are expected to emerge in the next few weeks and months.