Phan Van Bach

According to Vu Manh Tuan, another CHTV member who now lives in Nha Trang city, “Bach did not focus on any particular subjects. He used to conduct talks in an improvisational way. He used to talk about the bad things of the regime and society. Then, Bach announced he was quitting CHTV.” 

Founded by prisoner of conscience Vu Quang Thuan, CHTV covered hot-button socio-economic issues in Vietnam. Thuan, along with members Le Van Dung and Le Trong Hung, are in prison on charges of disseminating anti-state propaganda because of their involvement in CHTV.

Bach has also participated in several peaceful demonstrations in Hanoi, including protests against China’s maritime activities in the South China Sea since 2011, tree cutting in 2015, and the Formosa environmental disaster caused by a toxic waste spill that affected Vietnam’s central coastal area in 2016. 

He also spoke up against government crackdowns on political dissidents, supported people facing injustice via Facebook, and took part in campaigns demanding the release of detained activists. During this period, he reported he was constantly harassed by unknown actors and his home received strange packages containing things like shrimp paste and a yellow flag.