# Vietnam corruption and fraud investigations

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/vietnam-corruption-and-fraud-investigations
> Updated: 2026-10-28T23:38:40.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 2.

Vietnamese authorities have launched significant criminal proceedings targeting large-scale fraud and corruption involving high-level officials and various institutions. In one investigation, the Ministry of Public Security initiated proceedings against 28 individuals, including directors and department heads, for ‘forgery in office’. These suspects are accused of manipulating environmental monitoring data across 10 laboratories to convert failing results into passing ones and issuing fraudulent documents to collect fees. In a separate case, the Hanoi People's Procuracy indicted multiple individuals for a massive scheme involving the production and sale of over one million counterfeit Dragon-brand fire extinguishers, generating more than 344 billion VND in profit. Legal action has also targeted provincial leadership regarding illegal sand mining. The trial of Lê Đức Giang, former Vice Chairman of Thanh Hoa Province, was postponed from its original October 29 date due to the absence of defendant Tran Van Linh and approximately 30 individuals with related rights and obligations. Giang and several former subordinates, including three other provincial officials, are accused of violating regulations on the management and use of state assets concerning Mine No. 2 in Thieu Hoa district. Prosecutors allege that mining rights were transferred through an undervalued contract, where the actual value was 62 billion VND but the official contract recorded only 2.5 billion VND, resulting in an estimated tax loss of over 16 billion VND. Additionally, the illegal activities reportedly allowed for the extraction of sand exceeding permitted reserves by over 46,000 cubic meters. The trial is expected to resume on November 12 and 13. Simultaneously, a major fraud and money laundering trial is proceeding involving Pho Duc Nam, known as ‘Mr Pips’, who is accused of orchestrating a 1,568 billion VND fraud scheme. Nguyen Hoa Binh, also known as ‘Shark Binh’ and Chairman of NextTech Group, faces charges of money laundering.

## Claims

- The actual agreement for the mine transfer was 62 billion VND, but the official contract showed only 2.5 billion VND. (reported by 4 sources)
- Lê Đức Giang is being tried for violating regulations on the management and use of state assets, causing loss and waste. (reported by 7 sources)
- The illegal mining involved Mine No. 2 in Thieu Hoa district, Thanh Hoa province. (reported by 6 sources)
- The trial took place at the Hanoi People's Court on October 29. (reported by 5 sources)
- Vietlink and An Phu companies produced and sold over one million counterfeit Dragon-brand fire extinguishers. (reported by 3 sources)
- Dang Quoc Hoang, Phung Huu Loi, and Dong Liang are charged with producing and trading counterfeit goods. (reported by 3 sources)
- Pham Duc Canh and others are charged with receiving bribes. (reported by 3 sources)
- Officials from the Vietnam Institute of Metrology and TechBoss Company are charged with forgery in official duties. (reported by 3 sources)
- The company was allowed to exploit sand exceeding its permitted reserves by over 46,000 cubic meters of natural sand. (reported by 3 sources)
- The investigation began following a citizen's report on September 17, 2025. (reported by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-28: Thanh Hoa former Vice Chairman Le Duc Giang faces trial

The trial of former Thanh Hoa Vice Chairman Le Duc Giang and 10 others regarding illegal sand mining has been postponed to November due to the absence of several related parties.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-officials-and-companies-to-face-trial-over-counterfeit-fire-extinguishers

### 2026-10-01: Vietnam prosecutes 28 officials for environmental monitoring fraud

Vietnamese police have prosecuted 28 officials from various ministries and research institutes for falsifying environmental monitoring data and collecting illegal fees through fraudulent documentation.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-prosecutes-28-officials-for-environmental-monitoring-fraud

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Cite as: Vietnam corruption and fraud investigations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/vietnam-corruption-and-fraud-investigations