Prosecution initiated in rape of US citizen in Vietnam

Phu Tho provincial police have officially initiated a criminal case and prosecuted Nguyen Minh Hieu, a 23-year-old Hanoi resident, for the rape of Nguyen Thi Quynh Tam, a 24-year-old Vietnamese-American banking intern.

The prosecution was approved by the People's Procuracy of Area 4 in Phu Tho province following the July 5 incident at the Lynn Times Thanh Thuy resort. The victim reported that she was coerced into sexual intercourse after being encouraged to consume excessive alcohol and was overpowered by force despite her resistance. Investigators have collected evidence to proceed under Article 141 of the Penal Code, including electronic messages and a handwritten apology from the suspect.

The victim reported the assault more than two weeks after it occurred, citing health and psychological issues that required inpatient treatment. She previously alleged that the suspect’s family pressured her to accept monetary compensation to avoid reporting the incident and claimed local authorities initially encouraged a private settlement.

Following intervention from U.S. officials and a U.S. lawmaker, Vietnamese authorities confirmed that legal proceedings have been initiated. Pham Thu Hang, a spokesperson for Vietnam’s foreign ministry, stated that the actions were taken ‘in accordance with Vietnamese law,’ though she did not address the specific allegations regarding pressure from local authorities to settle the case privately.