Activist Detention Dispute
Vietnam detains three activists on terrorism charges, sparking concern from rights groups.
Anonymous
Vietnam says it detained three men—Norwegian citizen Nguyen Duc Thuan, Australian citizen Ho Pham Hiep Huy, and Thai Cong Truong Son—on terrorism and document-forgery charges, alleging they entered from Cambodia with forged documents. Viet Tan says Thuan and Hiep disappeared in Cambodia on September 18 after traveling there to meet Vietnamese activists and were abducted and taken to Vietnam; it denies the allegations and calls the charges fabricated. Viet Tan has not confirmed that Son is a member, and accounts differ over where the men were detained. Australia says it is providing consular assistance, and Hiep’s wife has urged Canberra to press Cambodia to investigate. Rights groups say the case reflects wider concerns about Vietnam targeting dissidents beyond its borders.
Key Points
1
Viet Tan said Thuan and Hiep arrived in Cambodia on September 15 and were due to leave on September 19; the group’s spokesperson said they never boarded their scheduled flights. A representative also said they had entered Cambodia legally.
2
Vietnam’s ministry said the men confessed to Viet Tan membership and to carrying forged documents to enter Vietnam for “terrorist and sabotage activities”; the terrorism charge under Article 299 carries a maximum sentence of 15 years.
3
Hiep is a freelance IT professional who founded the Australian Alliance to Combat Human Trafficking; his wife said the uncertainty over his whereabouts had taken a psychological toll.
4
Human Rights Watch says more than 160 political prisoners are detained in Vietnam; the Guardian also reported that more than 55 activists were arrested under broad criminal laws in 2025.
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