# Vietnam labor export bribery trial sentencing

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/vietnam-labor-export-bribery-trial
> Updated: 2026-08-24T04:47:28.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 4.

The Hanoi People's Court has concluded the sentencing for 28 defendants in a major bribery and corruption case involving former officials from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and various labor export enterprises.

Former Deputy Minister Nguyễn Bá Hoan was sentenced to 12 years in prison for accepting 16.3 billion VND in bribes. The court ordered the return of over 4.9 billion VND to Hoan due to excess remedial payments. Tống Hải Nam, the former Director of the Department of Overseas Labour Management, received a 14-year prison sentence for receiving 14.3 billion VND in bribes.

Other sentences included seven former ministry officials receiving terms ranging from suspended sentences to seven years in prison, and Nguyễn Sơn Lâm, Director of Thành Đô Law Firm, receiving six years for mediating bribery. Corporate leaders and employees involved in accounting violations received sentences between 18 months (suspended) and five years.

The court determined that between 2020 and 2025, officials manipulated licensing processes for overseas labor, specifically targeting shipbuilding programs in South Korea. Rather than paying the official 5 million VND fee, businesses were forced to pay up to 400 million VND per application to bypass intentional procedural hurdles and delays. The court noted these actions damaged the reputation of state agencies, caused budget losses, and infringed upon the rights of workers.

## Claims

- The Procuracy has proposed a prison sentence of 12 to 13 years for Nguyen Ba Hoan. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- Nguyen Ba Hoan received a total of 16.3 billion VND in bribes from businesses sending workers abroad. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- Former Director Tong Hai Nam was proposed a sentence of 15 to 16 years in prison. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Nguyen Lam Son was proposed a sentence of 5 to 6 years for the crime of mediating bribery. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The Procuracy proposed the confiscation of more than 30 billion VND in bribe money to the state budget. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The Hanoi People's Court opened a first-instance trial for 28 defendants. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Former Deputy Minister Nguyễn Bá Hoan and former Director Tống Hải Nam directed subordinates to delay the appraisal process for labor supply dossiers. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Nghiêm Quốc Hưng, Chairman of Hoang Long Company, provided approximately 239,800 USD to various officials. (single source)
- Nghiêm Quốc Hưng gave 170,000 USD specifically to Nguyễn Bá Hoan. (single source)
- Nghiêm Quốc Hưng is being tried for violating accounting regulations causing serious consequences. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-24: Nguyễn Bá Hoan sentenced to 12 years in prison for bribery

Former Vietnamese Deputy Minister Nguyễn Bá Hoan was sentenced to 12 years in prison for accepting 16.3 billion VND in bribes related to overseas labor licensing.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nguyen-ba-hoan-faces-sentencing-in-major-bribery-case

### 2026-08-20: Vietnam ex-Vice Minister faces 12-13 years in prison for bribery

The Procuracy has proposed 12-13 years in prison for former Vietnamese Vice Minister Nguyen Ba Hoan and other officials in a major bribery case involving overseas labor management.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nguyen-ba-hoan-faces-12-13-years-in-prison-for-bribery

### 2026-08-17: Nguyễn Bá Hoan and 27 others face trial in major bribery case

Former Deputy Minister Nguyễn Bá Hoan and 27 others are on trial in Hanoi for a bribery scheme involving over 30 billion VND related to labor export licenses.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nguyn-b-hoan-trial-begins-for-bribery-allegations

### 2026-08-09: Nguyễn Bá Hoan to face trial for bribery in labor export case

Former Vietnamese Deputy Minister Nguyễn Bá Hoan and 27 others face trial for bribery related to labor export licensing, involving over 30.2 billion VND in illegal payments.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nguyn-b-hoan-to-face-trial-for-bribery-in-labor-export-case

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Cite as: Vietnam labor export bribery trial sentencing. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/vietnam-labor-export-bribery-trial