Luong Tu Tuan (Thai Hao)

According to Hao on his Facebook page, on the morning of March 2, 2022, he was on his way to Tho Xuan Airport to take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Before that, Hao had been warned by several local security officers that he should not go to the awards ceremony of Van Viet (Viet Literature) in Ho Chi Minh City. Hao believed that this was just a reunion with his friends, colleagues and former mentors, so he decided to go, despite the warnings. A representative from Van Viet also told RFA that the ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City had been canceled due to pressure from the local authorities. 

However, after leaving his house and driving only one km away, traffic police and a security officer stopped Hao for a “security check.” Right after Hao stepped out from his car, two plainclothes persons ran toward him and repeatedly punched him. After several minutes trying to evade them and understand what happened, Hao called out to the uniformed officers: “Why did no public security officer help me when I was being assaulted for no reason?” Only after a while, did the uniformed officers intervene. However, the two unknown persons faced no repercussions and continued to curse and threaten Hao on the other side of the road. 

Thirty minutes later, the plainclothes individuals left, and the traffic police discovered that Hao did not have his driver’s license with him and so they accused him of driving under the influence of alcohol. Hao was then escorted back to a Public Security office. After three hours, he was released but had already missed his flight. 

No one answered his questions about the assault.  

Viet Literature later issued an official statement condemning the actions of the public security officers as a violation of freedom of thought.