Vietnam’s government has listed two overseas-based political groups as “terrorist organizations,” accusing them of fomenting violence and encouraging secession in the country’s Central Highlands. According to Vietnamese state media reports, which cited a statement from the Ministry of Public Security, the groups are the Montagnard Support Group Inc (MSGI), which is based in the United … Read more
The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) has issued a broad-ranging directive calling for further restrictions against the activities of civil society groups, including trade unions, and increasing scrutiny of foreign organizations and Vietnamese nationals traveling abroad. The document, known as Directive 24, was obtained by Project88, a Bangkok-based human rights organization focused on Vietnam, which … Read more
Advertisement Social media in Vietnam is currently flooded with calls to save death-row inmate Nguyễn Văn Chưởng. Arrested in 2007, Chưởng was sentenced to death for masterminding the murder and robbery of a police officer and has spent 15 years on death row. Since his conviction, Chưởng and his family have continued to claim his … Read more
Advertisement On Monday, Reuters reported that two Vietnamese political activists are relocating to the United States, under a private agreement between Hanoi and Washington that preceded the two governments’ agreement to upgrade their bilateral relationship last week. The report, which cited U.S. officials familiar with the matter, stated that “a human rights lawyer who campaigned … Read more
Advertisement When U.S. President Joe Biden and leaders of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam meet on Sunday in Hanoi to announce the details of their countries’ emerging strategic partnership, they will be heralding a new era of cooperation between the two nations. Given that Vietnam remains largely off the international radar, the event is likely … Read more
The Debate | Opinion Progress on shared objectives like climate mitigation will be impossible without measures to address the human rights failures of both Vietnam and the U.S. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, greets Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during a bilateral meeting Friday, May 13, 2022, in Washington, D.C. Credit: Jose Luis Magana/Pool … Read more
Advertisement When U.S. President Joe Biden arrives in Hanoi on September 10, U.S.-Vietnam relations will likely be upgraded to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.” According to inside sources, the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) has decided to take bilateral relations with the United States to the highest level of Vietnam’s diplomatic hierarchy. This … Read more
Advertisement Vietnamese security forces have arrested more than 50 people in the country’s Central Highlands, who they allege were involved in deadly attacks on two commune offices in central Dak Lak province last week. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of June 11 in Cu Kuin district, left nine people dead, including four … Read more
ASEAN Beat | Politics | Southeast Asia Bui Tuan Lam was arrested last September after creating a video parodying the public security minister’s consumption of a gold-encrusted steak. Danang noodle seller Bui Tuan Lam imitates the celebrity chef Salt Bae in a parody video that he posted on Facebook in November 2021. Credit: Facebook/Peter Lam Bui Advertisement A Vietnamese … Read more
Vietnamese Americans parading with the flag of the Republic of Vietnam during the Tết, February 8, 2008. Credit: Wikimedia Commons/DHN Advertisement Late last week, Vietnam’s government issued a complaint about the release of an Australian commemorative coin that shows the flag of the now-defunct government of South Vietnam. The incident was relatively minor, Australian media … Read more