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Van Thinh Phat Trial: Bank Employees Escape Prosecution
The second phase of the Van Thinh Phat trial, a major case involving fraud and money laundering, has raised eyebrows with the revelation that 46 Sacombank (SCB) employees involved in bond issuance and sales escaped prosecution.
The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court is currently trying Truong My Lan and 33 other defendants in connection with fraud, bond scams, money laundering, and illegal cross-border currency transfers.
Investigations reveal that under the direction of Vo Tan Hoang Van, former General Director of SCB, and Tran Thi Minh Thao, former Deputy Director of Retail Banking at SCB, a plan was devised to train over 2,000 sales staff across 239 SCB branches nationwide to sell bonds issued by Ms. Lan’s companies.
Although these bonds violated legal regulations, the 46 SCB employees were deemed to be unaware of these violations and were simply following orders. They did not personally profit from these transactions and cooperated fully with the investigation, leading to the decision not to pursue criminal charges.
14-Day Search for Landslide Victims Ends in Lao Cai
After a 14-day search for victims of the devastating landslide in Lang Nu, Bao Yen, Lao Cai, soldiers from Division 316 have withdrawn from the site. The remaining search efforts have been handed over to local authorities.
Colonel Nguyen Chi Thanh, Deputy Political Commissar of Division 316, confirmed that all 300 soldiers from the unit would withdraw from the scene.
The Division 316 forces recovered 22 bodies during their operation. According to a division representative, the most difficult aspect for the soldiers was leaving the site knowing that some victims were still missing.
Several soldiers suffered minor injuries during the search, stepping on nails and debris in the mud. The division provided medical care to these soldiers before their withdrawal.
Local authorities, with around 200 personnel, continue to search for the remaining victims.
To date, authorities have confirmed 55 deaths and 12 people remain missing from the tragic landslide that struck Lang Nu on the morning of September 10th.
Nguyen Phuong Hang Returns to Business After Early Release
Nguyen Phuong Hang, a prominent businesswoman from Binh Duong, has returned to the business world after being released from prison early. She has resumed her role as the head of Dai Nam Tourist Area.
On September 24th, a leader of Dai Nam Joint Stock Company confirmed the appointment of Ms. Hang, 53, to a key position within the company. She will now serve as Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors, First Deputy General Director of Dai Nam Joint Stock Company, and General Director of Dai Nam Tourist Area.
The chairman of the board has assigned Ms. Hang the responsibility of resolving matters related to her new roles. Dai Nam Tourist Area, renowned as the largest tourist area in Southeast Asia, spans over 450 hectares. It uniquely blends spiritual tourism with various entertainment options, including a racetrack, a marine animal park, and other attractions.
Dai Nam Joint Stock Company also invests in industrial parks, such as Song Than 2 and 3, and residential areas in Binh Duong and Binh Phuoc.
Ms. Hang was sentenced to two years in prison for abusing democratic freedoms and infringing upon the interests of the state and individuals. She was released three months early on September 19th due to good behavior during her incarceration.
Former Education Publishing House Chairman Faces Embezzlement Charges
The Ministry of Public Security has concluded its investigation into a bribery case involving violations of bidding regulations at the Education Publishing House Limited Liability Company. Eight individuals, including former chairman Nguyen Duc Thai, are facing prosecution.
Mr. Thai is accused of accepting bribes exceeding VND 24 billion. To My Ngoc, Chairwoman of Phung Vinh Hung Company, and Nguyen Chi Minh, Director of Minh Cuong Phat Paper Company, face charges of bribery and violating bidding regulations.
The investigation revealed that Mr. Thai and his accomplices manipulated bidding procedures to secure contracts for Phung Vinh Hung Company and Minh Cuong Phat Paper Company to supply paper to the Education Publishing House. Their actions resulted in a loss of over VND 10 billion across seven paper bids.
Ms. Ngoc and Mr. Minh repeatedly bribed Mr. Thai to secure these contracts. Ms. Ngoc confessed to offering Mr. Thai a “thank you” gift of VND 3 billion after winning bids in 2018. She continued to pay him VND 4 billion annually from 2018 to 2021.
These actions highlight concerns about corruption within the Education Publishing House, raising questions about the fairness of procurement processes and the potential impact on textbook prices.
Thousands of Chickens Perish in Floods in Nghe An
Heavy rainfall in Nghe An province has led to widespread flooding, causing significant damage to poultry farms. Thousands of chickens have perished across two farms, resulting in an estimated loss of 25 tons of chicken and a financial loss of VND 1.5 billion.
Chu Van Mai, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Nghi An Commune, Vinh City, confirmed that local authorities and organizations are working to help farmers salvage and sell the remaining chickens to minimize losses.
Nguyen Ngoc Huy, owner of a 17,000-chicken farm in Nghi An commune, suffered a major setback. Due to an electrical malfunction during the relocation of his chickens to higher ground, nearly 9,000 chickens were electrocuted.
Local residents and organizations have rallied to support Mr. Huy by processing the remaining chickens and selling them at a discounted price of VND 50,000 per chicken.
The floods also affected the poultry farm of Nguyen Van Tam in Dien Thinh commune, Dien Chau district. Mr. Tam lost 1,500 broiler chickens due to flooding on the night of September 22nd.
Hundreds Flock to Witness Tri An Hydropower Dam Release
The Tri An Hydropower Plant in Vinh Cuu district, Dong Nai, the largest hydropower plant in southern Vietnam, began releasing water on September 23rd, attracting hundreds of onlookers eager to witness the rare spectacle.
At 10:00 AM, water carrying sediment gushed from the dam’s discharge gates, creating a powerful and mesmerizing sight. Despite the risks of slippery conditions, people gathered along the riverbank to watch the water surge downstream. Some even took the opportunity to try their luck at fishing.
Vo Tan Nhan, director of Tri An Hydropower Company, confirmed that the dam’s water level exceeded 60.7 meters, requiring a controlled discharge of water downstream.
The release of water at a rate of approximately 1,000 cubic meters per second could potentially lead to flooding in low-lying areas downstream, including parts of Dong Nai, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Cao Bang Province Seeks Support for Disaster Relief
Following the devastating impact of Typhoon Noru in early September, Cao Bang province has submitted a request to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and relevant ministries for VND 740 billion in aid to assist with recovery efforts.
The typhoon and subsequent heavy rains caused extensive damage, resulting in 55 deaths, 19 injuries, and two missing persons. Over 2,239 houses were damaged, along with 2,076 hectares of rice and crops. Landslides and flooding caused significant damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, irrigation systems, power lines, schools, and healthcare facilities.
The funds requested by Cao Bang province would be used to rebuild damaged houses, restore vital infrastructure, and support the local economy’s recovery.
These news stories offer a glimpse into the diverse events unfolding in Vietnam. From legal proceedings to natural disasters and recovery efforts, these events highlight the challenges and resilience of the Vietnamese people.
