Category of Event
January 19, 2022
Pham Doan Trang was named one of the laureates of the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders this year more
January 13, 2022
In its 2022 World Report, Human Rights Watch excoriated Vietnam for using Covid-19 as a cover to “carry out a severe crackdown on peaceful activism that largely went unnoticed outside Vietnam.” more
January 10, 2022
Dang Dinh Bach started a hunger strike on January 10 to protest against his prolonged detention and not being allowed family visits. more
January, 2022
Political prisoner Pham Thanh was transferred to Nam Ha prison camp.
December 22, 2021
Police harassed members of the Montagnard Evangelical Church of Christ as they prepared to celebrate Christmas. more
December 17, 2021
Police in Quang Ngai Province attacked a crowd of protestors demanding the release of villagers detained in a land dispute. more
December 17, 2021
The EU urged the release of Pham Doan Trang and the three other defendants tried in three separate trials this week. more
December 17, 2021
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a statement condemning the harsh sentences handed out this week to four activists in three trials. more
December 15, 2021
Trial of two land rights activists in Hanoi on December 15, 2021 more
December 14, 2021
The U.S. State Department “condemns” the harsh verdicts against activists and urges Vietnam to amend its laws to be more consistent with its own Constitution. more
December 13, 2021
Political prisoner Huynh Duc Thanh Binh reported that his fellow inmate Huynh Huu Dat, 52, had died in prison due to lack of proper healthcare. more
December 12, 2021
Dozens of adherents of Hmong religious group named after its leader Duong Van Minh were arrested at the leader’s funeral under the pretext of forced Covid testing. more
December 10, 2021
A UN Special Rapporteur sent a report to the government of Vietnam that spells out precisely which decrees, articles and provisions of its laws are in serious violation of UN conventions and covenants to which Vietnam is a signatory more
December 1, 2021
Huynh Thuc Vy was taken into custody after a court in Dak Lak revoked the suspension which allowed her to delay serving her prison sentence. more
November 23, 2021
The wife of Do Nam Trung reported that his health was stable and that he regained some of the weight that he had lost. However, Trung said he had not received the full amount of money she’d been sending him, more
November 22, 2021
A letter from eight UN Special Rapporteurs to the government of Vietnam describes serious allegations and patterns of abuse, and requests that the government respond to very specific inquiries about individual cases. more
November 22, 2021
Le Trong Hung saw his lawyer, who reported that Hung's eyesight has gotten worse and that some of his basic requests, such as for books, have been denied. more
November 15, 2021
Nguyen Tri Gioan tried, sentenced to 7 years in prison and 3 years probation. more
November 11, 2021
Do Nam Trung was allowed to see his lawyer, his health was stable, and he had received money that his family sent but not any other items. more
November 4, 2021
The UN WGAD issued an opinion on the arrest and detention of Nguyen Nang Tinh, which it considered a violation of international norms. more
November 1, 2021
The UN SRP on Arbitrary Detention sent the government of Vietnam its report on Chung Hoang Chuong, Nguyen Van Nghiem, Le Van Dung, Dinh Thi Thu Thuy, Do Nam Trung and Dinh Van Hai, more
November 1, 2021
As part of the Universal Periodic Review process, The 88 Project and University of Chicago’s Global Human Rights Clinic submitted to the UN Human Rights Council its midterm review on Vietnam. more
November, 2021
Facebook publicly reported that it has removed accounts that harassed Vietnamese activists. more
November, 2021
At least eight political prisoners at Xuan Loc Prison were 60 days into a hunger strike, demanding to be allowed outside, after being held in their cells since June. more
November, 2021
Phan Kim Khanh’s sister said her brother was able to call the family after getting cut off during his last call two weeks ago. He did report that he had been on a 10-day hunger strike and had just resumed eating. more
October 30, 2021
Phan Kim Khanh had his call with his family cut off after he warned that if they don’t hear from him within 15 days then “something bad will have happened." more
October 29, 2021
The US State Department released a statement raising concern about the conviction of the five members of the Clean News group. more
October 28, 2021
Trial of Five Clean News Journalists in Can Tho City on October 28, 2021 more
October 26, 2021
Le Trong Hung met his lawyer for the first time since his March 2020 arrest; he asked for copies of the Bible and Constitution, which were denied.
October 26, 2021
Twenty-eight international organizations issued a letter demanding the release of Pham Doan Trang ahead of her original trial date. more
October 21, 2021
Trinh Ba Phuong’s wife, Thu Do, received a letter that she could visit her husband on October 21. But when she got to the prison, she was turned away with no official documentation.
October 19, 2021
More than a year after her arrest, Pham Doan Trang, was finally allowed to see her lawyer, Luan Le; she has not been seen by a doctor during detention despite numerous health issues.
October, 2021
Trinh Ba Phuong was in good physical and mental health, despite prior issues. He told his lawyer that investigators told him if he did not plead guilty they would arrest his wife.
October, 2021
Former police captain Le Chi Thanh's mother claimed Thanh was allegedly severely tortured in prison. more
October, 2021
The UN-mandated Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) determined that journalist Pham Doan Trang was denied her rights and placed outside the protection of the law. more
October, 2021
Authorities finished the investigation of activist Do Nam Trung after only three months of pre-trial detention, his family has reported. They are still waiting to hear what are the charges against him. more
October, 2021
After not hearing from Bui Van Thuan for a month and a half, his wife, Trinh Nhung, received a notice that he’d been admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with gout and a liver infection.
October, 2021
Le Trong Hung’s wife, Le Na, reported that her 10-year-old child has been followed around by secret police and subjected to other forms of psychological attacks. more
October, 2021
Trinh Ba Tu told his lawyer that when he was arrested the police beat him so severely that he had a kidney contusion and had to be taken to the hospital. His health is OK now, but his mother, Theu, still has some issues with her eyes
October, 2021
Do Le Na, the visually impaired wife of Le Trong Hung, went to bring him warm clothes, but was told her husband did not want to receive anything from outside. more
September 20, 2021
Vietnam publicly acknowledged the arrest of a Khmer Krom person for distributing copies of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples., citing "national unity" concerns more
September 20, 2021
Vietnam publicly acknowledged the arrest of a Khmer Krom person for distributing copies of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples., citing "national unity more
September 14, 2021
Rita French, the UK Ambassador for human rights at the UN, gave a speech on the human rights situation in Vietnam. more
September, 2021
Dinh Thi Thu Thuy was transferred to An Phuoc Prison, with better conditions, but was still suffering from health issues.
September, 2021
In Freedom House's 2020 report, Vietnam’s low score of 19 put it at No. 34 from the bottom of the global index. more
September, 2021
The UN annual report on reprisals for cooperating with the UN on human rights abuses highlighted the cases of several Vietnamese organizations and individuals. more
September, 2021
Truong Duy Nhat was finally allowed to get a visit from his family for the first time since December 2020; he has to work 45 hours a week with a herniated disc. more
September, 2021
Truong Minh Duc told his wife that prisoners had not received any vaccines, he was running low on medication, and he has not received any of the letters that his wife sent to him. more
September, 2021
In a call home, Hoang Duc Binh complained that he was discriminated against by prison guards. When he asked his family to contact his lawyer to file a complaint about his case, the guard listening cut off the call.
August 24, 2021
in Hanoi, US Vice President Kamala Harris said she brought up with Vietnam’s leaders the issue of human rights and the release of political dissidents. more
August 18, 2021
The 88 Project and 12 international human rights organizations called for Vice President Kamala Harris to challenge the Vietnamese government over the treatment and continued imprisonment of persecuted democracy activist Tran Huynh Duy Thuc. more
August 16, 2021
Nine US congressmen sent a letter to Vice President Harris asking her to raise human rights and prisoner of conscience issues with the Vietnamese government. more
August 12, 2021
Forty-three organizations and individuals sent an open letter to Vice President Harris, urging her to press Hanoi for the release of political prisoner Nguyen Bac Truyen. more
August 5, 2021
Crackdown on online expression during the COVID-19 pandemic more
May 18, 2021
PEN Germany announced that gave jailed journalist Pham Doan Trang an honorary membership in the organization. more
May 10, 2021
Former political prisoner Ho Van Hai was allowed to come to the US even though technically still had two years of probation left. more
May 6, 2021
A bipartisan group of US House members introduced H.R. 3001, the Vietnam Human Rights Act. more
May 5, 2021
Trial of mother and son land rights activists in Hoa Binh Province on May 5, 2021 more
May 5, 2021
Trial of mother and son land rights activists in Hoa Binh Province on May 5, 2021 more
May, 2021
When Do Le Na, wife of Le Trong Hung, brought supplies to her husband, she was given a note allegedly signed by her husband that said he no longer would accept money or supplies from the family. Being blind, Na was unable to verify it.
May, 2021
The daughter of Can Thi Theu reported that Theu was denied a request to be tested for HIV after bleeding from trying to break up a fight between other prisoners, some of whom are HIV positive. more
May, 2021
Pham Chi Thanh was finally allowed to see a lawyer for the first time since his arrest in May 2020. According to attorney Ha Huy Son, Thanh was in good health, but his family said he had earlier fallen and hit his head, requiring stitches. more
May, 2021
Per the family, the authorities have extended the deadline for their investigation of Trinh Ba Phuong until June 18, 2021.
April 24, 2021
Hoang Duc Binh’s brother reported on April 24 that he was not allowed to visit him in prison for the fifth straight time. more
April 14, 2021
Le Chi Thanh arrested, charged under Art. 330 (2015 Code), Art. 331 (2015 Code). more
April 13, 2021
Political prisoner Ho Dinh Cuong told his wife that he was moved to Xuan Loc Prison in Dong Nai Province.
April 6, 2021
The 88 Project released its second annual human rights report covering arrests, trials, incidents against activists at risk, and prison conditions during 2020 more
April 4, 2021
Political prisoner Ngo Hao, 73, and his wife Thi Kim Lan, were allowed to emigrate to Finland after Hao's 15-year sentence was temporarily suspended in 2020 for medical reasons. more
April 1, 2021
Ngo Van Dung, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hanh, and Le Quy Loc were transferred to An Phuoc Prison. more
April 1, 2021
Trinh Ba Phuong’s wife, Thu Do, said that Phuong was back in Prison No. 1 in Hanoi, after being evaluated at Mental Hospital Central 1. more
April, 2021
PEN’s 2nd annual Freedom to Write Index noted that Vietnam ranked seventh with 11 jailed journalists in 2020. more
April, 2021
Huynh Ngoc Chenh - Facebook’s compliance with Vietnamese government requests creating a hostile online environment. more
March 30, 2021
Trial of three people for livestreaming in Khanh Hoa Province on March 30, 2021 more
March 29, 2021
Tran Thanh Phuong’s wife reported that he was disciplined for refusing to sign a letter admitting guilt and for helping other prisoners request better conditions. He also told her he’d been moved to a much smaller cell with criminal prisoners. more
March 24, 2021
Hoang Duc Binh’s family tried to visit him and bring supplies, but their request was denied for the fourth consecutive time.
March 9, 2021
After the Dong Tam appeals trial, all sentences remained the same, with two people sentenced to death and one to life in prison. more
March, 2021
The US State Department published its 2020 Country Report on Human Rights in Vietnam. more
March, 2021
Authorities increased Le Anh Hung's medication dosage to 12 pills, and if he refused to take them, he reported that they would inject him with it. more
March, 2021
Nguyen Bac Truyen’s wife, Bui Kim Phuong, told The 88 Project that her husband has been mistreated in prison, denied letters and medical treatment, and his petitions not forwarded the court
March, 2021
Nguyen Tuong Thuy’s wife reported that her husband was moved to a different prison, and when she went to visit him there, she was not allowed to see him; he was also suffering from a hand injury more
March, 2021
Trinh Ba Phuong’s wife, Thu Do, reported that her husband was transferred from prison to Mental Hospital Central 1 more
March, 2021
Prison authorities arbitrarily transferred Trinh Ba Phuong to a new prison without giving notice to his family. more
March, 2021
Prison guards released a dog on political prisoner Nguyen Van Duc Do to keep him quiet while he was in solitary confinement. more
March, 2021
Update from family-- Nguyen Bac Truyen was under psychological stress caused by prison guards. He told his wife guards had been using other prisoners to harass and provoke him so that they could “isolate and demean him.”
March, 2021
Update from family-- Nguyen Nang Tinh was fighting for his right to practice his faith. He requested a meeting with a Catholic priest, but the prison authorities didn't respond to his requests.
February 24, 2021
An investigation by Amnesty International confirmed that hacking group Ocean Lotus is responsible for a sophisticated hacking operation against Vietnamese dissidents abroad. more
February 20, 2021
Tran Huynh Duy Thuc began another hunger strike, his third since October 2020. more
February 17, 2021
Journalist Le Anh Hung was denied New Year visits from his supporters at the hospital where he was being held. more
February 11, 2021
Human Rights Watch issued an alarming report on how at least 83 governments used the Covid-19 pandemic as an excuse to restrict and violate the fundamental human rights of their citizens. more
February 5, 2021
Arrests leading to "Trial of three anti-corruption activists in Quang Tri Province" more
February 3, 2021
Tran Huynh Duy Thuc has ended his hunger strike after 72 days. more
February, 2021
Three years after the controversial Cybersecurity Law was passed, Vietnam’s Draft Decree on Personal Data Protection was issued. more
February, 2021
Hoang Duc Binh’s family finally received a letter from him saying that he’s been suffering from sinusitis and was not allowed to receive traditional medication that the family sent nor receive treatment in the hospital. more
February, 2021
Dinh Thi Thu Thuy was admitted to a hospital for vestibular disorder and heart valve regurgitation. She was also suffering from a calcium deficiency and insomnia due to the unhealthy conditions at the temporary detention center in Hau Giang. more
January 29, 2021
Hoang Duc Binh again denied a visit from his family at An Diem Prison more
January 27, 2021
A group of German lawmakers wrote a letter to the government of Vietnam to express their extreme concerns about the health of political prisoners Nguyen Bac Truyen and Tran Huynh Duy Thuc and to call for their release. more
January 21, 2021
Tran Huynh Duy Thuc called his family and reported he was still on his hunger strike, drinking only milk and having lost a lot of weight. He will reported he will continue the strike, two months since he started.
January 21, 2021
Crackdown on independent candidates 2021 more
January 20, 2021
The EU passed a resolution requiring its president and member states to raise their concerns regarding jailed Vietnamese journalists and other political prisoners ahead of Vietnam’s Party Congress. more
January 8, 2021
The Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also released a statement condemning the January 5 trial of three independent journalists. more
January 5, 2021
Trial of Three Independent Journalists in Ho Chi Minh City on January 5, 2021 more
January 1, 2021
Journalist Pham Thanh was moved from a medical facility back to Hoa Lo Prison on New Year’s Day without notice. more
January, 2021
Phan Kim Khanh was reported to be in bad health in prison due to being held in isolation. more
January, 2021
Human Rights Watch issued its 2021 World Report, describing 2020 as “another abysmal year in Vietnam." more
January, 2021
Ngo Van Dung was transferred to Bo La Detention Center, Binh Duong Province
December 25, 2020
Cao Vinh Thinh - forced eviction from business rental location for history of criticizing government policy. more
December 21, 2020
Trial of Tree Facebookers in Ho Chi Minh City on December 21, 2020 more
December 17, 2020
Arrests leading to "Trial of Five Clean News Journalists in Can Tho City on October 28, 2021" more
December 13, 2020
Writer Pham Van Troi‘s wife went to visit him and reported that fellow prisoner Ho Duc Hoa, a social activist, was then on his 5th day of a hunger strike and was in poor condition more
December 7, 2020
The trial for Facebookers Huynh Anh Khoa and Nguyen Dang Thuong was moved to December 21 after Thuong requested a delay due to poor health. more
December 3, 2020
Trial of Four Khmer Krom Farmers in Kien Giang Province on December 3, 2020 more
December 3, 2020
Dinh Thi Thu Thuy finally was finally allowed to see her lawyers for the first time. Attorneys Nguyen Van Mieng and Trinh Vinh Phuc said her mental health was poor due to being held incommunicado. more
December 1, 2020
Amnesty International issued a report describing how tech giants such as Facebook and Youtube have “become tools of the Vietnamese authorities’ censorship and harassment of its population.” more
December, 2020
Reporters sans Frontières published its 2020 report on freedom of the press: “For the second year in a row, China, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Syria represent the world’s five largest prisons for journalists.” more
December, 2020
Father Peter Nguyen Thanh Tung from Thi Nghe Parish sued the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City for passing into public hands land and two schools that have belonged to the parish since the 1950s. more
December, 2020
It was reported that political prisoner Nguyen Trung Linh was being held in a mental health facility. more
November 30, 2020
Tran Huynh Duy Thuc's family visited him during his hunger strike and reported that he was extremely weak. He asked his family to share a public message. more
November 30, 2020
The first-instance trial for Tran Duc Thach was canceled without warning; his family was told he was unfit to stand trial due to health issues. more
November 27, 2020
Nguyen Van Hoa ended his hunger strike after eight days, along with Nguyen Bac Truyen and Pham Van Diep. more
November 23, 2020
Hoang Duc Binh’s family was denied a visit with him again at An Diem Prison, allegedly due to Binh’s refusal to wear a prison uniform, as he insists that he is not a criminal. The same thing happened the previous month. more
November 23, 2020
Four activists were transferred to An Phuoc Prison in Binh Duong. They are: Do The Hoa, Tran Thanh Phuong, Hoang Thi Thu Vang, and Doan Thi Hong. Phuong was able to call his wife on that day, and he reported that he is suffering from high blood pressure. more
November 23, 2020
Tran Huynh Duy Thuc started a hunger strike to protest the authorities’ failure to respond to his petition for a reduction of his sentence based on changes to the 2015 Criminal Code.
November 21, 2020
US-based Vietnam Human Rights Network (VHRN) awarded its 2020 prizes to the Independent Journalists Association of Vietnam and political prisoners Nguyen Nang Tinh and Nguyen Van Hoa more
November 20, 2020
Three political prisoners started a hunger strike at An Diem Prison protesting prison conditions. more
November 19, 2020
Reuters revealed increasing pressure on Facebook from Vietnam's censorship requests more
November 18, 2020
Truong Duy Nhat was transferred to Prison No. 3 in Nghe An Province, where he was confined to a small cell and suffering from health issues.
November 15, 2020
ASEAN approved the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership trade deal. more
November 10, 2020
UN Special Rapporteurs sent a petition to the Vietnamese government concerning the cases of five people arrested for their activism in the aftermath of the violent police raid in Dong Tam Commune in January 2020 more
November 6, 2020
Vietnam’s Ministry of Information announced that a policy to govern social media activities is in the works. more
November 5, 2020
The 88 Project released its report on torture and inhumane treatment of political prisoners in 2018-2019 more
November, 2020
German member of Parliament Martin Patzelt agreed to sponsor political prisoner Bui Van Tham. more
November, 2020
Vietnam abstained from voting on a UN resolution opposing the death penalty.
November, 2020
Pham Chi Thanh was reportedly moved to the Central Institute of Forensic Psychiatry for a mental health evaluation despite having no history of mental illness. more
November, 2020
Huynh Duc Thinh suffered a brain hemorrhage just a few weeks before finishing his prison sentence and was transferred to a hospital. more
October 21, 2020
US citizen Michael Phuong Minh Nguyen was released from prison early and returned to the United States
October 20, 2020
Lawyer and political prisoner Nguyen Bac Truyen was awarded the Stefanus Prize 2020. more
October 16, 2020
Fifteen US representatives wrote a letter to the Secretary of State expressing their concerns about the Dong Tam land dispute and the trial of 29 villagers. more
October 8, 2020
Political prisoner Tran Huynh Duy Thuc told his family that he had begun a hunger strike for the last three days to demand that the High Court review his request to have his sentence reduced based on changes in the Penal Code of 2015. more
October 6, 2020
The US and Vietnam held their 24th annual Human Rights Dialogue via virtual sessions; just hours later, Pham Doan Trang was arrested
October 4, 2020
Political prisoner Le Dinh Luong reported that would go on a hunger strike starting on October 11 to demand improved prison conditions. more
September 30, 2020
At a meeting in Hanoi, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab secured Hanoi’s backing for the UK to join the CPTPP. more
September 18, 2020
The EU External Action Service issued a statement expressing its serious concerns regarding “the conditions and proceedings of the trial” against the Dong Tam defendants. more
September 17, 2020
Nguyen Quang A - detained and questioned by police while on his way to meet the US Ambassador. more
September 7, 2020
29 villagers faced trial in Hanoi on charges of murder and resisting officials resulting from a violent, early-morning police raid in Dong Tam Commune in January 2020. more
September, 2020
64 EU Members of Parliament sent a letter to the EU trade commissioner urging the body to rectify past mistakes in signing the EVFTA trade agreement without sufficiently demanding that Vietnam abide by its commitments toward protecting human rights. more
September, 2020
The UN issued its 2020 report on intimidation and reprisal against individuals who report human rights abuses, including several cases from Vietnam.
September, 2020
Authorities transferred Nguyen Duc Quoc Vuong from Trai Mat prison, Lam Dong Province, to An Phuoc detention center in Binh Duong Province, without prior notice and more than 300 km from his family’s home. more
August 22, 2020
Thich Dong Quang - harassed for commemorating victims of violence based on religion and belief. more
August, 2020
Trinh Ba Tu started hunger strike at Cham Mat Detention Center in Hoa Binh to protest against mistreatment in prison more
July 31, 2020
Trial of Eight Defendants in Ho Chi Minh City on July 31, 2020 more
July 30, 2020
The People’s Court of Hanoi reduced the prison sentences of two Build Operate Transfer (BOT) activists by three months each. more
July 17, 2020
Legal Initiatives for Vietnam launched a Database on Religious Freedom in Vietnam. more
July 16, 2020
A blogger reported that hospital staff beat and fastened Le Anh Hung to a chair before forcibly injecting him with medication. more
July 12, 2020
Political prisoner Nguyen Van Tuc’s wife tried to visit him but was unable to due to the prison’s restrictive policies. more
July 9, 2020
Independent journalist Pham Doan Trang announced on her Facebook page that she has formally resigned from Liberal Publishing House, citing harassment and increased pressure from security police against her, her colleagues, and the organization. more
July, 2020
Two US Senators sent a joint letter to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asking him to designate Vietnam as a Country of Particular Concern in terms of religious freedom and also review the possibility of applying Magnitsky Act sanctions. more
June 24, 2020
Arrests leading to "Trial of two land rights activists in Hanoi on December 15, 2021" more
June 24, 2020
Arrests leading to "Trial of mother and son land rights activists in Hoa Binh Province on May 5, 2021" more
June 24, 2020
Arrests leading to "Trial of mother and son land rights activists in Hoa Binh Province on May 5, 2021" more
June 24, 2020
Arrests leading to "Trial of three people for livestreaming in Khanh Hoa Province on March 30, 2021 " more
June 23, 2020
Crackdown against members of the Independent Journalists Association of Vietnam more
June 22, 2020
The 88 Project released our first ever annual human rights report covering arrests, trials, incidents against activists at risk, and prison conditions during 2019. more
June 22, 2020
The police told attorney Nguyen Van Mieng that Khoa had waived his right to an attorney. Khoa’s wife was confused because he had asked her to hire Nguyen Van Mieng. more
June 18, 2020
A Lam Dong court granted permission for Nguyen Duc Quoc Vuong‘s family to visit him, so Vuong’s older brother and the attorney went, but the prison didn’t allow them to see Vuong. more
June 13, 2020
Arrests leading to "Trial of Tree Facebookers in Ho Chi Minh City on December 21, 2020" more
June 12, 2020
Nguyen Van Mieng, Nguyen Duc Quoc Vuong’s attorney, went to Trai Mat prison, Lam Dong Province, to have his first meeting with Vuong since his September 2019 arrest. more
June 7, 2020
Arrests leading to "Trial of Four Khmer Krom Farmers in Kien Giang Province on December 3, 2020" more
June 3, 2020
The International Publisher’s Association, in a virtual ceremony, announced that the Liberal Publishing House won the 2020 Prix Voltaire Award.
June, 2020
Neither his family nor the Australian government had contact with jailed Australian retiree Chau Van Kham in over four months, despite him suffering from multiple health ailments. more
June, 2020
Nguyen Van Duc Do’s family has filed a petition against the notorious Xuan Loc Prison after Do was tortured in prison for asking for time outside in the sun on weekends. more
June, 2020
The US government released its annual report on religious freedom across the globe. In it, they continued to list concerns for Vietnam’s protection of religious freedom more
June, 2020
Almost five months after the raid on Dong Tam Commune, those arrested were still being denied visits from their families. more
June, 2020
Nguyen Trung Trong Nghia - travel restriction and physical assault against family members of jailed activist. more
May 26, 2020
10,000 workers went on strike in Binh Duong Province at a company that makes shoes for Adidas protest impending layoffs as a result of the pandemic’s economic toll. more
May 14, 2020
Ngo Van Dung’s attorney visited him at the Chi Hoa Detention Center. Dung’s wife reported that he had been brutally tortured by prison officials and had to be hospitalized. more
May 11, 2020
Le Thanh Tung’s reported that Tung and other prisoners were enduring 100-degree temperatures in their cells at Nam Ha Prison. Tung was also denied medication and letters. more
May 8, 2020
Trial of Two BOT Protesters in Hanoi on May 8, 2020 more
May 8, 2020
Nguyen Ngoc Anh called his wife and told her that the running water is heavily contaminated; the prisoners protested this but were threatened with retaliation. more
May 8, 2020
Vietnam’s Supreme Court upheld the lower court decisions in the case of Ho Duy Hai, who was convicted of murder in a case that some argue was riddled with legal inconsistencies. more
May 8, 2020
Crackdown on the Liberal Publishing House more
May, 2020
Facebook removed two of Radio Free Asia’s Vietnamese news service posts. The posts included content that cited sources critical of the regime. more
May, 2020
Prison officials in Xuan Loc Prison Camp in Dong Nai Province beat six political prisoners after they petitioned to be able to work outside more frequently during the weekends. The six were also placed in solitary confinement. more
April 15, 2020
A new decree in Vietnam took effect in which Vietnam will halt executions if lethal drug injections are ineffective 10 minutes after the third try. more
April, 2020
Amnesty International released its report “Death Sentences and Executions 2019.” Vietnam did not report its number of executions in 2019, but it did sentence at least 76 people to death in 2019. more
April, 2020
Vietnam ranked 175/180 countries on Reporters Without Borders’s 2020 World Press Freedom Index. more
April, 2020
It was reported that Facebook agreed to drastically increase censorship of posts deemed to have “anti-state” content in exchange for Vietnam increasing performance for local Facebook access. more
April, 2020
Luu Van Vinh reported that due to COVID-19, families were not allowed to visit, so in the prison camp, many people were in need of everything; Vinh himself was in isolation. more
March 18, 2020
Trial of 14 Hmong citizens on March 18, 2020 more
March 18, 2020
Arrests leading to "Trial of 14 Hmong citizens on March 18, 2020" more
March 17, 2020
Phan Van Thu continued to suffer from multiple health ailments and a restrictive visit and supply policy, made worse by COVID-19. more
March 3, 2020
Nguyen Nang Tinh was on hunger strike before this trial more
March 2, 2020
Nguyen Van Tuc's health worsened and he had not received proper medical treatment from the prison. more
March 2, 2020
The High People’s Court, Ho Chi Minh City branch, upheld the sentences of Chau Van Kham, Nguyen Van Vien, and Tran Van Quyen. more
March, 2020
Freedom House again listed Vietnam as “Not Free” in terms of political rights and civil liberties. more
March, 2020
Safeguard Defenders released "Coerced on Camera: Televised Confessions in Vietnam," which documents cases of people forced to confess in recordings later often played for the public. more
March, 2020
The investigating agency extended the pre-trial detention period of Nguyen Van Nghiem for another three months.
March, 2020
Prison authorities again increased Le Anh Hung’s anti-psychotic medication against his wishes. more
February 28, 2020
Y Ngun Knul was in critical health and suffering severe kidney failure, gastritis, foot issues, and high blood pressure after his release from prison. more
February 21, 2020
The People’s Court of Khanh Hoa Province denied Tran Vu Hai and his wife Ngo Tuyet Phuong’s appeal of their one-year house arrest sentences for tax evasion. more
February 20, 2020
The Venerable Thich Quang Do passed away. more
February 18, 2020
Luu Van Vinh was moved to another cell block, allegedly because he opposed the way they treated his daily diet. more
February 2, 2020
Prison officials were checking the contents of Hoang Duc Binh's letters before sending them and even interrogating him about the contents of the letters. more
February, 2020
Vo Thuong Trung was transferred to Gia Trung prison in Gia Lai province without prior notice to his family. more
January 10, 2020
Tran Thi Nga was released early prison and sent immediately into exile in the United States. more
January 9, 2020
Authorities temporarily suspended the prison sentence of political prisoner Ngo Hao so that he can receive medical treatment. more
January 7, 2020
Nguyen Viet Dung had been barred from buying food at the prison canteen and suffering from poor nutritional variety. more
January, 2020
Phan Kim Khanh was in solitary confinement, allegedly for "rebelling" in prison, and unable to access the prison cafeteria. more
January, 2020
Authorities transferred political prisoner Nguyen Ngoc Anh to a new prison without notifying his family in advance. more
January, 2020
Prison officials were denying Vuong Van Tha food because he refused to wear a prison uniform and to sign a confession of guilt.
January, 2020
Nguyen Viet Dung was in solitary confinement for allegedly rebelling against the prison administration and refusing to work. more
January, 2020
Prison management finally permitted Tran Thi Xuan to be treated in a specialized hospital after she fainted multiple times in 2019.
January, 2020
Prison management finally permitted Tran Thi Xuan to be treated in a specialized hospital after she fainted multiple times in 2019.
January, 2020
Prison officials refused Chuong Hoang Chuong items for personal use, such as his glasses, medicines, a toothbrush, and new clothes. more
January, 2020
Harassment of activists in the days following the Dong Tam raid more
December 8, 2019
Detention of three Loc Hung residents on December 8, 2019 more
November 28, 2019
Trial of Two Sibling Online Commentators on November 28, 2019 in Dong Nai province more
November 27, 2019
Trial of Two Citizens in Sam Son City, Arrested for Speaking at Local Meeting, on November 27, 2019 more
November 26, 2019
Trial of Four Activists on November 26, 2019 in Dong Nai province more
November 21, 2019
Arrests leading to "Trial of Three Independent Journalists in Ho Chi Minh City on January 5, 2021" more
November 15, 2019
Dinh Thi Phuong Thao - detained and interrogated at the airport upon returning to Vietnam. more
November 11, 2019
Trial of an Australian national and two local activists on November 11, 2019 more
October 16, 2019
Arrests leading to "Trial of Two BOT Protesters in Hanoi on May 8, 2020" more
October 15, 2019
Vu Huy Hoang - interrogated and beaten for delivering books published by an unregistered publisher. more
October 6, 2019
CHTV members detained and interrogated after attending a workshop on the East Sea in Hanoi more
October 1, 2019
Activists surveilled and placed under house arrest on China’s National Day more
October, 2019
Nguyen Van Khanh - threatened and harassed by the police to not buy books from the Liberal Publishing House. more
September 26, 2019
Tran Quoc Hien - invited to work with public security regarding his online activities on Facebook. more
September 26, 2019
Kieu Dinh Lieu - beaten unconscious while investigating illegal wood logging and trafficking. more
September 22, 2019
Nguyen Van Dien started a hunger strike to protest maltreatment of prisoners. more
September 20, 2019
Nguyen Thi Hue, sister of political prisoner Nguyen Van Hoa, reported that prison authorities threatened Hoa that they would cut the tendons in his legs back in July 2019 while he was in solitary confinement. more
September 19, 2019
Representatives of the Interfaith Council of Vietnam recommended that the US re-designate Vietnam as a “Country of Particular Concern."
September 19, 2019
International groups voiced their criticism of the human rights situation in Vietnam during the 42nd session of the U.N. Human Rights Council. more
September 17, 2019
Prison authorities barred Le Dinh Luong‘s family from visiting with him, even though it was the normal visiting time. more
September 17, 2019
Nguyen Van Cong Em tried, sentenced to 5 years in prison and 5 years probation. more
September 16, 2019
Freedom Now and the international law firm Dechert LLP sent a petition to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD), accusing the Vietnamese government of violating international laws when arresting and prosecuting blogger Phan Kim Khanh. more
September 14, 2019
Nguyen Van Hoa was released from solitary confinement on September 14, 2019 after four months. more
September 14, 2019
Pham Doan Trang and her friends harassed during a party to celebrate her winning Reporters Without Borders's Prize for Impact more
September 12, 2019
Reporters Without Borders awarded dissident writer Pham Doan Trang, founder of Luat Khoa magazine and editor of The Vietnamese, their Prize for Impact . more
September 6, 2019
Nguyen Ngoc Anh's wife reported that Anh has had difficulties with his cellmates, who are believed to be encouraged to mistreat him in order for reduced sentences and other lenience. more
September 4, 2019
Doan Thi Hong's sister reported on Hong's poor health in prison. more
September 4, 2019
The daughter of political prisoner Ngo Van Dung met with him for the first time since his arrest. more
August 28, 2019
Lawyer Ngo Anh Tuan met with detained blogger Truong Duy Nhat for the first time since Nhat’s abduction from Thailand in January 2019 and subsequent arrest in Vietnam. more
August 28, 2019
Nguyen Van Tuc's wife reported he was in very poor health and had requested to be transferred away from a cellmate who was harassing him. more
August 22, 2019
Harassment against Green Trees activists more
August 15, 2019
Hundreds of locals in Quang Binh province protested a proposed dam expansion project. more
August 9, 2019
Le Dinh Luong's niece was prohibited from visiting him in prison
August 7, 2019
Tran Thanh Tuan - denied associate professor position due to his participation in a demonstration. more
August 6, 2019
Crackdown on protesters against China’s activities in Vanguard Bank in August 2019 more
August 2, 2019
Truong Minh Duc's family visit was shortened and modified after Duc ended his hunger strike
August 1, 2019
The One Free Press Coalition of media organizations named Truong Duy Nhat one of the 10 Most Urgent Press Freedom Cases Around the World. more
August, 2019
Vuong Van Tha’s family shared with The 88 Project that they had not been able to see him or send him any supplies for over seven months.
July 30, 2019
Trial of Seven BOT Protesters in Bac Ninh province on July 30, 2019 more
July 25, 2019
Ho Duc Hoa wrote a letter home revealing his severe healthcare issues in prison. more
July 21, 2019
Political prisoners ended their hunger strike in Nghe An province after 41 days more
July 20, 2019
Luu Van Vinh's family was denied a visit with him for the third time. more
July 18, 2019
The families of five activists sent a letter to government institutions denouncing the fives’ unlawful arrests and detentions over a period of more than 10 months. more
July 17, 2019
The People’s Court of Binh Thuan Province denied the appeals of prison sentences from the first instance trial of three June 2018 protesters. more
July 15, 2019
More than 50 lawyers signed a petition asking for an investigation into the actions and charges against lawyer Tran Vu Hai. more
July 12, 2019
Attack on supporters of prisoners on hunger strike near Prison No. 6, Nghe An, on July 12, 2019 more
July 9, 2019
Nguyen Kim Thanh, wife of political prisoner Truong Minh Duc, met with representatives of the embassies of the US, Australia, and the EU while her husband was on hunger strike. more
July 3, 2019
Tran Huynh Duy Thuc released solitary confinement at Prison No. 6 in Nghe An province. more
July, 2019
Arrests leading to "Trial of Two Citizens in Sam Son City, Arrested for Speaking at Local Meeting, on November 27, 2019" more
July, 2019
Vietnamese civil organizations issued an “Urgent appeal against Torture and Maltreatment of Prisoners of Conscience in Vietnam" following mass hunger strikes by political prisoners. more
July, 2019
The 88 Project presented its Map of Human Rights Violations as part of the Geoffrey Nice Foundation’s Master Class on Mapping, Documenting, and Prosecuting Mass Atrocities, invited by the Transitional Justice Working Group‘s project Access Accountability. more
June 30, 2019
The European Union signed a free trade agreement with Vietnam. more
June 25, 2019
The OHCHR Asia made public a joint communication to the Thai and Vietnamese governments on Truong Duy Nhat and Bach Hong Quyen, more
June 24, 2019
Trial of Three Vietnamese Nationals and One US Citizen in Ho Chi Minh City on June 24, 2019 more
June 16, 2019
Truong Minh Huong - attacked by thugs after visiting political prisoners in Ha Nam province. more
June 12, 2019
Political prisoners began a hunger strike in Prison No. 6 Nghe An province to protest prison conditions during heat wave. more
June 11, 2019
Taiwanese lawyers filed a lawsuit against the Taiwanese company Formosa on behalf over 7,000 Vietnamese plaintiffs demanding U.S. $4.46 million in compensation. more
June 1, 2019
Tran Hoang Phuc‘s family send a petition against Phuc's mistreatment, campaigning to hold prison authorities accountable. more
May 31, 2019
Luu Van Vinh notified his family that he was transferred to Gia Trung prison in Gia Lai province, his fourth prison in 30 months. more
May 28, 2019
Twenty-five members of the US Congress sent a letter to the US Secretary of State urging the US to press for better protections for freedom of expression in Vietnam. more
May 28, 2019
Twenty-five members of the US Congress sent a letter to the US Secretary of State urging the US to press for better protections for freedom of expression in Vietnam. more
May 24, 2019
Forty-four activists in Vietnam jointly issued a “Collective Declaration by Those Whose Freedom of Movement Has Been Violated” more
May 20, 2019
BOT protesters harassed and detained at Bac Thang Long-Noi Bai toll booth on May 20, 2019 more
May 18, 2019
Four Facebookers fined in Thanh Hoa province on May 18, 2019 more
May 17, 2019
The European Union Delegation to Vietnam released a statement condemning the trial of female activists Vu Thi Dung and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Suong. more
May 13, 2019
Hoang Duc Binh, held in An Diem Detention Center, the same place as Nguyen Van Hoa, called his family and revealed that detention officers gripped Hoa’s neck and beat him harshly.. more
May 12, 2019
Activists harassed during US-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue on May 12, 2019 more
May 10, 2019
Trial of two female activists in Dong Nai province on May 10, 2019 more
May 10, 2019
Tran Hoang Phuc’s mother sent an Open Letter to Senator Tim Kaine and other American senators calling for their attention on Phuc’s case..
April 27, 2019
Crackdown on Vietnam’s Reunification Day, April 30, 2019 more
April 25, 2019
Arrests leading to "Trial of Four Activists on November 26, 2019 in Dong Nai province" more
April 22, 2019
Dinh Van Minh - invited to work with police for composing a poem about the anti-corruption campaign. more
April 15, 2019
Several international human rights organizations sent a letter to top EU leaders as negotiations continued on the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, urging Vietnam to Nguyen Bac Truyen from prison. more
April 10, 2019
Nguyen Ngoc Tuong Thi - summoned after his trip with Pham Thanh Nghien’s family. more
April 1, 2019
Prison authorities suddenly transferred Le Anh Hung to the Central Mental Hospital in Ha Noi. more
April 1, 2019
Reporters Without Borders released its 2019 RSF Index, placing Vietnam as 176 in global press freedom rankings. more
April 1, 2019
In its annual report, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom named Vietnam a Tier 1 Country of Particular Concern. more
March 26, 2019
Nguyen Quang Hong Nhan - deported back to Vietnam while seeking asylum in Germany. more
March 8, 2019
Harassment against Loc Hung vegetable garden residents more
March 7, 2019
Trial of 15 June 2018 Protesters on March 7, 2019 in Binh Thuan Province more
February 27, 2019
Activists harassed during the February 2019 North Korea and United States summit more
February 23, 2019
Tran Hoang Phuc begins 12-day hunger strike to protest abuses against him in prison. more
February 10, 2019
Phan Kim Khanh‘s family and fellow activists visited him and reported that he was in good health and spirits but still trying to appeal his sentence.
February 5, 2019
Detained US citizen Michael Nguyen‘s wife, Helen Nguyen, attended the US’s State of the Union address, invited by Rep. Katie Porter of California. more
February 1, 2019
Nine members of the European Parliament sent a letter to Vietnam’s President urging the release of environmental and labor rights advocate Hoang Duc Binh. more
February, 2019
Vietnam was classified as “Not Free” in Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 2019 report. more
January 29, 2019
Le Anh Hung was denied a visit with his family because he refused to wear a prisoner uniform and handcuffs. more
January 26, 2019
Arrests leading to "Trial of Two Sibling Online Commentators on November 28, 2019 in Dong Nai province" more
January 25, 2019
Authorities transferred Nguyen Trung Truc from Quang Binh to Thanh Hoa Province, without notifying his family. more
January 23, 2019
Police disrupted a program held for disabled veterans of the former Republic of Vietnam at Hoa Khanh Church, Lien Chieu District, Da Nang City. more
January 22, 2019
Vietnam underwent its Third Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review by the UN Human Rights Council. more
January 20, 2019
Two activists detained on January 20, 2019 for t-shirt slogan more
January 19, 2019
Activists harassed on January 19, 2019 while honoring soldiers of the former South Vietnam more
January 18, 2019
A group of international NGOs, including Vietnamese groups, have called on the EU to delay ratifying a proposed free trade agreement with Vietnam. more
January 17, 2019
The High People’s Court of Hoa Binh Province held an appeal trial against Dao Quang Thuc, reducing his sentenced from 14 to 13 years. more
January 14, 2019
Harassment against BOT protesters more
January 14, 2019
Activists detained because of protesting against An Suong - An Lac Toll Plaza on January 14-15, 2019 more
January 13, 2019
Arrests leading to "Trial of an Australian national and two local activists on November 11, 2019" more
January 10, 2019
Human Rights Watch called on the European Parliament and the European Council to delay ratifying the proposed EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. more
January 8, 2019
The land-grabbing at Loc Hung vegetable garden on January 4 and 8, 2019 more
January 7, 2019
Hoang Duc Binh was in poor health in prison, with rashes, back pain, and diminished eyesight from a lack of light. more
January 5, 2019
Tran Hoang Phuc’s family visited him and said that he was in good health and spirits; however, Phuc revealed that he had been harassed by other prisoners since his first instance trial. more
January 4, 2019
Arrests leading to "Trial of Seven BOT Protesters in Bac Ninh province on July 30, 2019" more
January 4, 2019
Phan Kim Khanh's family visited him in prison and reported he was in good health and spirits; prison officials allowed him to receive some supplies but denied others. more
January 1, 2019
Vietnam's Law on Cybersecurity went into effect. more
January, 2019
The authorities told Nguyen Hong Nguyen‘s family that he was transferred to prison Z30D, Ham Tan, Binh Thuan Province, but he was transferred to Xuan Loc prison in Dong Nai Province. more
January, 2019
Ngo Hao, 75, had a stroke in prison, and the authorities failed to notify his family. more
December 26, 2018
Nguyen Trung Truc's 12-year sentence upheld on appeal. more
November 29, 2018
Trial of Nine June 2018 Protesters in Binh Thuan Province on November 29, 2018 more
November 27, 2018
Crackdown on Brotherhood for Democracy since 2015 more
October 31, 2018
Trial of 30 June Protesters on October 31, 2018, Binh Thuan Province more
October 26, 2018
Dang Ngoc Thanh - beaten, detained, and fined for leafleting and posting on Facebook. more
October 17, 2018
Trial of three Pouyuen workers on October 17, 2018 more
October 13, 2018
Arrests leading to "Trial of two female activists in Dong Nai province on May 10, 2019" more
October 8, 2018
Trial of four June 10 protesters on Oct. 3, 2018, District 3, HCMC more
September 26, 2018
Trial of 15 protesters in Binh Thuan Province on September 26, 2018 more
September 1, 2018
Arrests leading to "Trial of Eight Defendants in Ho Chi Minh City on July 31, 2020" more
September 1, 2018
Crackdown on potential protest on September 2, 2018 more
August 22, 2018
Trial of six protesters in Phan Rang-Thap Cham City, Ninh Thuan Province on August 22, 2018 more
August 15, 2018
Crackdown on Nguyen Tin’s liveshow on August 15, 2018 more
July 30, 2018
Trial of 20 protesters in Bien Hoa city, Dong Nai province on July 30, 2018 more
July 23, 2018
Trial of Ten June 2018 Protesters in Binh Thuan Province on July 23, 2018 more
July 7, 2018
Arrests leading to "Trial of Three Vietnamese Nationals and One US Citizen in Ho Chi Minh City on June 24, 2019" more
June 18, 2018
Arrests leading to "Trial of four June 10 protesters on Oct. 3, 2018, District 3, HCMC" more
June 16, 2018
Arrests leading to "Trial of three Pouyuen workers on October 17, 2018" more
June 15, 2018
Nguyen Huu Tin - detained for three days after participating in a demonstration on June 10-11, 2018. more
June 11, 2018
Arrests leading to "Trial of 15 protesters in Binh Thuan Province on September 26, 2018" more
June 11, 2018
Arrests leading to "Trial of 30 June Protesters on October 31, 2018, Binh Thuan Province" more
June 11, 2018
Arrests leading to "Trial of Nine June 2018 Protesters in Binh Thuan Province on November 29, 2018" more
June 10, 2018
Arrests leading to "Trial of six protesters in Phan Rang-Thap Cham City, Ninh Thuan Province on August 22, 2018" more
June 10, 2018
Arrests leading to "Trial of 20 protesters in Bien Hoa city, Dong Nai province on July 30, 2018" more
June 10, 2018
Arrests leading to "Trial of 15 June 2018 Protesters on March 7, 2019 in Binh Thuan Province" more
June 10, 2018
Arrests leading to "Trial of Ten June 2018 Protesters in Binh Thuan Province on July 23, 2018" more
June 10, 2018
Crackdown on June 2018 protesters more
April 22, 2018
Tran Thu Nguyet - prohibited from attending the funeral of Priest Nguyen Dinh Thuc’s mother. more
February 6, 2018
Trial of Nguyen Nam Phong and Hoang Duc Binh more
January 24, 2018
Do Thi Minh Hanh - prohibited from trying to attend political prisoners’ trial. more
November 28, 2017
Arrests leading to "Trial of Nguyen Nam Phong and Hoang Duc Binh" more
May 15, 2017
Hoang Duc Binh arrested, charged under Art. 330 (2015 Code), Art. 331 (2015 Code). more
May 12, 2017
Harassment of activists Truong Duy Nhat and Bach Hong Quyen while seeking asylum status abroad more
January 19, 2017
Nguyen Van Oai arrested, charged under Art. 257 (1999 Code), Art. 304 (1999 Code). more
November 6, 2016
Nguyen Van Duc Do arrested, charged under Art. 117 (2015 Code), Art. 79 (1999 Code). more
November 6, 2016
Luu Van Vinh arrested, charged under Art. 331 (2015 Code), Art. 79 (1999 Code). more
November, 2016
Tu Cong Nghia arrested, charged under Art. 117 (2015 Code), Art. 79 (1999 Code). more
April 25, 2014
Can Thi Theu arrested, charged under Art. 104 (1999 Code), Art. 257 (1999 Code). more
January 23, 2013
Trial of 6 Hoa Hao disciples of Dao Trang Ut Trung, Feb. 9, 2018 more
October 30, 2012
Arrests leading to "Trial of 6 Hoa Hao disciples of Dao Trang Ut Trung, Feb. 9, 2018" more
October 11, 2012
Dinh Nguyen Kha arrested, charged under Art. 88 (1999 Code), Art. 104 (1999 Code). more
Trial of three anti-corruption activists in Quang Tri Province
more
Annual Events
- March 8 – International Women’s Day
- April 6 – Anniversary of the 2016 Formosa environmental disaster
- May 3 (in 2020) – World Press Freedom Day
- May 11 – Vietnam Human Rights Day
- June 10 – Anniversary of national 2018 mass protests over two draft laws
- September 2– Vietnam’s National Day (prisoners sometimes granted amnesty)
- December 10 – Human Rights Day (anniversary of the ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)